See, you're making it into an abstract question, but the folks who questioned the idea before (whom I agree with) asked "Why would you want 'The Passion of the Christ' running as a background movie?" Like, is it the type of movie that you'd pop in while you're doing other stuff?

I'm not saying that it flat out couldn't be, I'm just saying that nothing about it seems to be that type of movie, and none of the reaction I've seen from any of the people who liked it way more than I do (I don't consider it worth owning, personally, I thought it was a poorly made movie) would suggest that it's the sort of thing that they'd want to watch casually; they'd either be dedicated to watching it, because they want to feel His pain again, or because they owe it to Him, or other reasons along those lines, or they wouldn't watch it.

When I pop on a movie to have something going in the background (for instance, while I write, but there can be other things distracting me also), I generally pick a comedy, or a horror movie, or maybe a dumb action movie. Something which won't grab my attention or get my interest too high, but which also won't make actively be trying to make me feel bad.

So, yeah, I definitely pop stuff in, but the question is, is this REALLY a movie that you'd do that for, or are you just upset because they're eliminating the *option* to do that?

EDIT: Whoops, didn't see this part:

To answer your question, they'd have to pay the actors to come back in and re-record the dialogue (which also always looks bad), dialogue which was never written to be spoken in English, and, beyond that, dialogue which Mel Gibson's specific sect of Catholicism tells him *should* never be delivered in English. Don't forget, his religion tells him that it should be in the language that it's in. What you're suggesting would be akin -- in a certain zealous light -- to casting a blonde woman with big breasts as Jesus just because the grosses of the movie would be higher, or cutting out the anti-semitism just because it was "immoral". I'm not passing judgement on his sect, mind you, I'm just saying, since the *whole* movie is all about him molding specifics from the Bible into his view of his religion, why would you question that one specific aspect of his religion and not any of the others?

Besides which, if the movie were available in English, a lot of people would choose to watch it that way, which is the opposite of what Mel Gibson wants. [If you want my opinion, the movie being in Latin had the same effect as Spielberg shooting 'Schindler's List' in black and white; they were able to show things which were more horrible than most people wanted to see, but they were slightly removed from the immediacy that movies usually have; Gibson did so by having it be in another language, Spielberg by having it be in black and white, but the effect was, basically, the same. But that effect would be lost if the film were in English, to no discernible gain other than the ability to pop it on and not pay attention to it, which is probably something Mel Gibson wouldn't want you doing anyway.]

No, dubbing does a disservice to the original performance. Not to mention, reading subtitles is hardly a chore when the movie is good.

i say yes

Why ?

. . . :o . . .

Yes, it's true that most of the Jews of the time would've spoken Hebrew, and all of the educated Romans would have been speaking Greek, and the soldiers would have spoken either Greek or Latin, but hey, he couldn't mix things up *too* much, and Aramaic and Latin sound different enough that you can tell who's who just by vocal inflection.

I'm reminded of Scorsese's "Last Temptation of Christ" where all of the Romans were British. Works for me.

You've gotta be kidding me. The dub was horrid, I still wonder whose stupid idea it was to make Chow Yun Fat sound British.

I said yes, only because they do that to a lot of movies.
They a french, english audio on the dvd.

If they can put a damn full-screen, they can put english audio option.

yes

I don't know how many dubs you've heard, especially when it comes to martial arts films, but I maintain that CTHD is one of the best. I invite you to name some better English dubs if you can.

Not that I think it matters with regards to the question, but Yes, every time I have a DVD on, I dedicate my time to watching it. If I want something on in the background, I'll put on music.

I can see it now. "Mr. Gibson, I know you wanted this to be in Aramaic and Latin, but there are a small handful of people who would like to be able to listen to your movie in the background, and they'd like an English soundtrack. How about it?"

Absolutely yes, as an option. Keep it in tact as it was in theaters, but also give the option of an english track.

As for why, very simple. If I want to read the script, I can do that on a website somewhere. If I want to watch the movie, I want to watch the movie, not read it. Unless you can move your eyes independantly from each other, and process the information from both simultaneously, you can't read and watch the action at the same time.

No Way! Subs are good enough, dubbing would just ruin the movie.

I've seen countless foreign-language films with subtitles and have no problem reading the titles and following the action at the same time.

if you can't stand dubs , get out of the kitchen! :lol:
DVD is not VHS, they might as well include the dub as an option. Those who like the dub , will go fot it, those who don't, will go for subs.

I can too, that's why I didn't say FOLLOW the action. It's not very hard to follow the action while reading, but there are things you may miss while reading. Some small things, like facial expressions or something in the background that may be happening. Also, don't forget that some people are slower readers than others. If there is a long line of subs you can miss quite a bit, or not finish the subs before they change.

I don't mind them myself too much, but my wife hates them. I'm sure for all of the people who think dubbing would ruin the film, there are at least as many who feel the subs already ruined it. Why not give everyone the option to choose what they prefer?

I agree that the subs ruin this film.

It should appear on DVD without subtitles so that you have to listen to the Aramaic and Latin.

Do any of you "subtitle only" people have any compassion for the blind?

...ah... well... ahh... um... ah...

...turns around and leaves the room, tail hanging between his legs, in deep shame...

. . . :o . . .

When I watch stuff like Hard Boiled and other forgein films with an optional bud track I read the subtitles and listen to original language. Why would latin be any different.

I personally dont want a dubbed one but there are times I think for some people it would be good. How about the blind who listen to movies? When i would show my Grandma movies when she comes over and they are in other languages I have to put on the English dub because its too hard for her to read and pay attention to the movie. I have had to play the english versions of Brotherhood of the wolf, Crouching Tiger, Lola Rennt, and Iron Monkey in the past for the older generation.