Dvd Picture Quality

Well, I must say this thread has been quite entertaining (and eye opening). The level of ignorance from certain people outside the UK just astounds me. I've collected some of my favourite replies by people that were directed at other posters (in quotes), followed by my own opinions underneath (if I have any).

Paultait22 says this to those who were having trouble understanding the northern British dialect:

". . . you learn what they are saying by repeatedly watching those kinds of films. Do you think that all Britons, Australians, South Africans, Canadians and New Zealanders woke up one morning with an innate ability to understand US slang? No, we picked it up. If you are watching foreign films, and I hate to break this to you but all US films are foreign to everyone outside the US, you pick up on the culture."

Exactly! The UK literally has American shows all over its channels (terrestrial and cable). We've all grown up on the American idioms, slang, nuances, and its various dialects purely from repeated exposure to them on TV and in movies. Some of it has become amalgamated into our own slang. This is why it's a joy for us when we have writers and directors like Neil Marshall -- who chose not to Americanise his movies just to appeal to the 'wider audience'; and who is also proud of his culture and wants to keep everything as 'British' as possible. Perhaps he's of the opinion that other English-speaking countries should pay our dialects and culture the same courtesy as we pay theirs . . . by exposing themselves to it, understanding it, and (perhaps) accepting it? Or is that too much to ask?

He obviously wanted to show the charm in the northern accent (his native accent), or he would have cast the more theatrically-pleasing, neutral-voiced southerners/Londoners -- the people who have more easily understandable accents to foreigners, as these are more often used in movies shown overseas (and has now become the stereotypical British accent in most movies, which I can understand has lent to the confusion with foreigners not being able to fully understand other UK dialects.)
Again . . . more frequent exposure = more easily understood. It's really sad that one of the first things I thought to myself when I started watching this film was, 'I bet this film doesn't do very well in the States because of the accents'. Even I had some difficulty following it in some places! (But then, the same rules applies to me . . . I obviously need more exposure to the regional dialect; whether this be through a bit of research or other.)

"I have lost count of the amount of US slang that I have had to learn by deduction. The accents that I have come to recognise from different parts of the US etc. Not to mention US geography, laws, and cultural in jokes."

I'm right there with you, Paultait22! Repeated exposure. Education. Often with a bit of Googling and light-hearted research to improve understanding. I believe most of the British public have done this.

"As others have pointed out, those from the rest of the English speaking world have no problem with each other's slang. It is only the US that seems averse to learning about others, but maybe it is just because we've all had to and Americans never really have."

Yes, we accept our country's different dialects, often poking fun at them to wind each other up!
Paul's last sentence might have some sad truth to it. I remember seeing the following statement within the inside-cover copyright text of more than a few books published in America: " . . . and the world outside the United States." It's like the country has formed its own bubble, making it difficult for other cultures to penetrate to some success, whilst also creating the notion of it being 'a world unto itself'. Hang on a minute. I thought we were all part of the same 'world'? Perhaps my Atlas was wrong.

What doesn't help is when TV bosses buy the overseas rights to a British show that they love the idea of, and completely REMAKE it with an American cast because they don't feel it would appeal to the 'wider audience' if they don't. This is not helping to educate the American public that there are other accents out there other than American-based ones. This also adds to ignorance, and a preference to hearing a certain thing.
The irony is that the American remakes are never as good as the original British shows, and lose their charm altogether. But wait . . . Didn't the TV bosses fall in love with the originals in the first place? So why aren't they just broadcasting those? They obviously understood them enough to like them. Surely if they did, others would too? And if a percentage don't, who cares? Why change something just to please everybody? (And spoil it.)

Off the top of my head, here are some shows I can think of that were seen on UK channels by American TV bosses and REMADE with an American cast: RED DWARF, THE OFFICE, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (the comedy show 'Cybil' was a reinvention of this) . . .

And to add further support to the quote from Paultait22: Why was there ANY need for an American dub version of the classic Mad Max movie? I have a DVD that features the following options: "English" (which is an American dub) ... and "Original Australian".

Why is it so important for all movies shown in America to have American-based accents in order to be a success?

Another gripe of mine is when Christian Bale (a British actor) did an interview for the first Batman film he did, and did it with an American-based accent instead of in his native tongue. When asked why he did this, the shocking reason he gave was that he didn't want to shatter the American dream to hear that such an iconic character has been played by somebody British! Eh? He's out of the movie now. He's not really Batman. Most people who know their actors would know he's British anyway. So who cares? Obviously he thinks it would affect his popularity there, as a lot of people are protective about the Batman franchise. Christian is obviously aware of how the Hollywood system works, but is just taking it to extreme lengths.

I also chuckled when I read a Kate Beckinsale interview about how she loathes when her daughter comes out with Americanisms! I guess we can put Kate on 'Team Neil Marshall'? :)


krismay1976-1 said:

"If you would just learn to enunciate and separate your words we wouldn't have the dreaded language barrier."

How can we even dignify this ridiculously IGNORANT and PRIGGISH statement with a response? (Gah. I believe I just have!)


Norm_uk says:

"Some of the comments here have become quite silly haven't they? Ultimately British people can get uppity about the English language because they invented it but to start a mud slinging match doesn't do any good for anyone does it?"

Unfortunately, nobody listened to these wise words -- as later posts will attest.


Another fine gem from krismay1976-1 here:

"But you act as if you are second in command to the queen in claiming this movie as England's. Why, because it has banter with soccer references? Because the woman in this movie looked like she was beat half to death with an ugly stick?"

I read every post on this thread, and didn't see anybody claiming that the film belongs to England. But it is a British-made film with a completely British cast and British writer and director. So, naturally, British people are going to be quite protective over it, as it's rare for us to see films with sufficient funding emerge from this country and retain a sense of pride at not having bowed down to the demands of the 'wider audience'.
And as for the comments about the woman in the movie. Okay, so she wasn't the stereotypical, busty glamourpuss you're probably used to seeing (die first) in your movies, Kris. She has realism about her. The fact that you are suggesting ugliness in the females of Britain is highly offensive, and I think you should look within your own cosmetic demographics before you pass judgement on this particular lady. I've seen lots of women in movies from around the world who aren't incredibly pretty at all. Why would I want to see pretty people all the time? It's not real!
(Next, Kris, you'll be throwing up comments on the state of British teeth -- which is a complete stereotype, and will just prove yet more ignorance on your behalf. Go ahead. Dig yourself a deeper hole.)


And God Bless the last thread post at the time of posting this (from maddy52101):

"I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but now people can enjoy the movie in nice 1080p on blu ray. Sorry if that's off topic to the rest of the post, go on and continue your argument."

Thanks for the blu-ray update, Maddy. Might have to check it out. I also LOL'd at your last sentence! :)

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