When you watch a movie that was filmed in another language, when you have a choice, do you prefer subtitles or dubbing?

Always subs, but for shits and giggles, I listen to dubbed on Asian 70's and 80's king fu films.

I would imagine on a movie forum like this most people will say subtitles. The only difference for me is when the movie is animated, like Persepolis, I would rather watch the dubbed version. Since there isn't the issue of looking out of sync, the dubbed version is usually a better vewing experience since subtitles have to cut down what is being said (it takes longer to read) and being dubbed frees you to give complete attention to the animation instead of dividing it with what is printed at the bottom of the screen.

I will always use subtitles. Unless it is done really well, I find it difficult to even watch movies when they are dubbed. It's too distracting.

Good points, Crocker Jarmen. I also prefer subtitles, because I like to hear the original actor or actress's performance. The only problem that I have with subtitles is when the characters are speaking really fast and a lot is being said in a short amount of time, and sometimes I can't quite read everything on the screen before the next lines of dialogue are displayed. Also, if the subtitles themselves are really small and difficult to read.

Usually subtitles. Not always. It depends on how much care was taken.

Some dubs are an improvement, like Das Boot. The movie has lots of background dialogue which doesn't make it into the subtitles.

Some dubs depart from the intention of the movie, like Kiki's Delivery Service. Evidently, Disney wanted to get their money's worth out of the movie stars doing voice over, because they replace long stretches of silent admiration of scenery with nonstop chatter.

I've seen Hong Kong action movies where the English subtitles look like they were thrown on by a high school student who took a couple English classes. But the American importer took care to do the dub right.

For live action movies, I always take subtitles. However, for Anime I pick dubbing. Like others say, it doesn't have the issue of words not syncing.

For live action, always subtitles. For animation, usually dubbing, unless I feel like the dub is doing a disservice to the content.

Subs for everything except old kung-fu and Godzilla (unless I'm watching Jap. versions of those films).

Subtitles

i don't know one person on here who would be willing to admit to prefering dubs

It's a very rare foreign film that is preferable dubbed to subbed...to me at least.

The people who want to watch hilarious kung fu movies. But yeah most other times, it's about the original audio track.

Yeah, kung-fu flicks are the exception. Otherwise, dubbing is just too distracting.

Neither. I'll learn the native language before watching the film.

Admitting to liking dubbing here is the equivalent of saying you're looking for deals on Pan & Scan DVDs

Subtitles almost exclusively. Although there have been many excellent anime dubs in recent years as far I understand. I've heard some pretty good ones. I still wish Netflix would stream them both ways.

All movies should be filmed in English. It's ridiculous in this day and age we that we have to suffer through subtitles or bad dubbing.

I see what you did there.


lol

Subtitles unless it is a comedy or an all around crappy movie then a dubb.

For a great example of this watch both the dubb and the subtitled version of BioZomie.

even Kung Fu Hustle? which when dubbed, your more laughing at the bad dubbing than the jokes

So how many different countries have you watched films from and how many new languages have you learned?

And how many job offers from the U.N. have you gotten? ()

Subtitles without question for live action movies. On animation, I might make an exception here and there.

I know people who refuse to watch a movie with subtitles because they can't read and watch at the same time

Most people don't like subs and foreign films due to their own lack of reading ability. If you can't read, by the time you slowly struggle through the subtitle you don't have time to follow the video. You hear all manner of rationalization about this from most, but there's a reason 'snobby, boring foreign films' are often associated with intelligent people. Those films and people rationalized as 'pretentious' by the majority who struggle with basic reading skills.