What language are they speaking?
15 minutes in, I can't understand a word.
shareEnglish surely. Turner's was real cockney.
Uh, not American that is.
But there're subs. Not everyone speaks English in the big world.
MovieChat Forums > Mr. Turner (2014) Discussion > What language are they speaking?
I activated the English subtitles for several scenes where it was important to understand every word. They spoke "English" but typical English is hard to understand by people accustomed to normal enunciation.
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
but typical English is hard to understand by people accustomed to normal enunciation.
What, exactly, is "typical" and what, exactly, is "normal?"
Movies are IQ tests; the IMDB boards are how people broadcast their score. share
'rock', if you are British then you know what I mean. If you are American then you know what I mean. If neither then it doesn't matter, does it?
As an example, I am watching a multi-episode BBC series that is narrated by John Hurt. Ever word he says is enunciated well and is understandable. That, unfortunately, is not typical British.
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
It's very strange English. Thanks, I'll seek out the English subtitles.
Strange because I am ENGLISH.
[deleted]
It's 19th century English.
Expressions and patterns of speech change over time. Not too long ago, everybody was saying "Keep on truckin', and "Right on, man", and "Be there or be square." (Apologies for the cringe.) And that was only 40 years ago. This film is set almost 200 years ago!
Personally, I thought the use of period English was a wonderful touch. I hate period movies in which the characters speak in a 21st century idiom.
I agree with you 100%, MelonBlando. When Mike Leigh does a historical film, he has the actors research and immerse themselves in the time period for months. That includes what the characters ate, how they spoke, what the news events of the day were, etc. Those are some of the things that made this movie, like Topsy Turvy, so completely satisfying to me. A movie like this requires a little work or effort on the part of the viewer. It's not hard to figure that out beforehand based on the subject matter. I went to the theater to see it the week it was released here, but I was prepared not to understand the dialogue too well and just let myself indulge in all the period detail and accuracy, and the beauty of the visuals, not to mention the actors. It was all fascinating enough to make it worthwhile to see it in the theater even knowing I'd have to watch it a second time on DVD with subtitles.
shareAgreed, Keely. I watched it with subtitles the third time I watched it on disk. And then it was only to catch some dialogue I hadn't heard clearly the first time. It was an absolute joy to listen to the characters speaking true to their time, without the jarring intrusion of 21st century speech.
The same goes for "The Passion". I absolutely lapped up the Latin spoken in that film. Not that I know Latin to speak it, but I was taught enough to follow a little behind when it's spoken. Maybe it wasn't textbook Latin but rather street Latin, but still it was a thrill to hear it spoken by major characters in a movie.
I Don't Provoke - Pablo.
You mean The Passion of the Christ, yes? I still haven't seen it - too afraid of the violence in it, I don't think I could take it.
shareYep, that one. Can't say I blame you for being reluctant to subject yourself to the violence. I've watched the film four times, and even now I still wince at certain parts, (and get choked up at others).
But it's such a tremendously well-made film, and the acting is so convincing and absorbing, that I keep going back to it. And I will again. The non-English-speaking actors are all perfect for their parts, without exception. I always find myself engrossed in simply looking at some of them, and relishing the dialogue they're speaking.
Jim Caviezel is the only actor I've seen who I think has ever realistically captured the character. He's astonishing. I'm not particularly religious myself, but like everybody else I know the qualities that the character is supposed to have. Watching the film the first time, I kept waiting for some lapse in his characterisation, some slip that would spoil the illusion. But it never happened. I have to say I began to "get" how one can be as tough as nails, yet as gentle as a baby. Pretty hard mix for any actor to get right, I'd have thought.
Well, anyway, if you ever do get to watch it, I'll look for your comments over at the film's discussion board.
I Don't Provoke - Pablo.
OK! 😱
shareOh, go on! You know you want to! 😊
No, really, it is an excellent film, shouldn't be missed.
I Don't Provoke - Pablo.
If anything gets me to see it, it will be you more than any other factor. I'll keep you posted . . .
shareWell I look forward to that. I don't think you'll be disappointed, (at least, I hope not).
I Don't Provoke - Pablo.
Melon_Brando, What do you think about IMDB removing these message boards? Can't believe they actually are doing it. What a tremendous mistake. Best part of IMDB, not to mention a wealth of knowledge, much more in depth than anything in the trivia section or elsewhere.
share