Anglo-American Films dubbed into French
| I've decided to split Films into those made originally in the French
language and those made originally in English (or often German), and dubbed into French. You are familiar with the argument, which I've presented before. Yes, French films are wonderful, yes we want to watch them because they portray French culture. But you have to walk before you run, and dubbed English language films are much easier - by orders of difficulty - than the majority of French films. Also, if you cast an eye over the hundred or so television channels listed in Télé deux semaines, you'll see that about 85% of all television fiction is American/British series and films dubbed. This is what the French themselves watch ! So let's not be culturally snobbish. By the time your ear is good enough to cope effortlessly with Coluche's Tchao Pantin you won't need this site. In the meantime - let's hope that French teachers take the hint and start giving their students fictional material that they can actually understand ! |
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Bouteille.avi Bouteille.srt Bouteille.doc Bouteille.mp3 |
I just have to admit that I have a weakness for romantic American films dubbed into French. And the French dubbing actors are magnificent. This is a good example |
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Dracula.avi Dracula.srt Dracula.mp3 Dracula.doc |
The first film clip this month is an American-made 'Dracula'. Everything I always say about anglo-american films dubbed into French applies - they are where you need to start if you like films. French films are far, far too hard. |
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CountryBears.avi CountryBears.srt CountryBears.mp3 CountryBears.doc |
Disney is schmaltz, but bears and country music go together. I know I can't persuade French teachers of this, but this is exactly what French students need to watch. |
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Jekyll.avi Jekyll.srt Jekyll.mp3 Jekyll.doc |
As well as being a good version of the Stevenson story, the language here is clear and formal. An excellent exercise for the student of French |
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Poirot.avi Poirot.srt Poirot.doc Poirot.mp3 |
I am enchanted by this combination of an English author writing about a Belgian detective, played by an English actor, and dubbed into French ! |
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SigneQuatre.avi SigneQuatre.srt SigneQuatre.doc SigneQuatre.mp3 |
I don't care how often I have to say it. This is exactly what French students need to watch. The language is formal and clear. No lack of this sort of stuff on French TV! |
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FindingNeverland.avi FindingNeverland.srt FindingNeverland.doc FindingNeverland.mp3 |
I selected this clip as a dubbed British film with formal dialogue. But the vocabulary makes it difficult |
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Elizabeth.avi Elizabeth.srt Elizabeth.doc Elizabeth.mp3 |
As well as clarity of speech and quite slow delivery, this type of piece offers a very formal grammar, easier to follow than everyday French speech |
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Train1650.avi Train1650.srt Train1650.doc Train1650.mp3 |
It's a good film, a classic of popular cinema. And it's very good practice at Level 2 |
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MadameHenderson.avi MadameHenderson.srt MadameHenderson.doc MadameHenderson.mp3 |
The crisp voices make this a reasonable Level-2. But there's a place where my ear let me down. Can you do better ? |
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AnnBoleyn.avi AnnBoleyn.srt AnnBoleyn.doc AnnBoleyn.mp3 |
Bad historical drama is perfect for the student of French ! It is formal, moderately paced, a very comprehensible Level 1, and studded with subjunctives. What more could we want? |
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SherlockHolmes.avi SherlockHolmes.srt SherlockHolmes.doc SherlockHolmes.mp3 |
Formal, mannered language. The delivery is quite fast, which makes it a Level-2. But it repays study, this extract |
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Zorro.avi Zorro.srt Zorro.doc Zorro.mp3 |
Zorro has the voice of the landed gentry while other characters are just a bit harder to follow |
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Liberty Lily.avi Liberty Lily.srt Liberty Lily.doc Liberty Lily.mp3 |
Thanks to the voice-over of Patrick Floersham, this is a Level-1, although with some moments of difficulty because of the background sound. |
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RobinDesBois.avi RobinDesBois.srt RobinDesBois.doc RobinDesBois.mp3 |
I expected this to be a Level 2, perhaps less. In fact it makes quite a difficult listening exercise. The better the dubbing, the harder the film is to follow. This is very well done. |
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HarryPotterAzkaban.avi HarryPotterAzkaban.srt HarryPotterAzkaban.doc HarryPotterAzkaban.mp3 |
Very clear dialogue, although there is a passage right at the very end where the prof talks about the talent of Harry's father pour 's'attirer des ennuis' Is that right ? |
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LasVegas.avi LasVegas.srt LasVegas.doc LasVegas.mp3 |
The dialogue is fast and supposed to be idiomatic. But in fact it's a sort of transatlantic French, nothing like as difficult as the real thing. Still a Level-3, though |
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Medium.avi Medium.srt Medium.doc Medium.mp3 |
Like so many American series, this is professionally written, and the gentle pace of the dialogue gives the ear a chance to catch up. Apart from the little girl's conversation. Where was it the credit card agent had already called ? |
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InspectorBarnaby.avi InspectorBarnaby.srt InspectorBarnaby.doc InspectorBarnaby.mp3 |
All the things I always say about English language material dubbed into French apply to this. It's a Level-1 |
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ChapeauMelon.avi ChapeauMelon.srt ChapeauMelon.doc ChapeauMelon.mp3 |
I think we'll say Level-2 for this one. The sound has been made little fuzzy to suit the black and white époque. But the language is amusingly mannered |
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LoveActually.avi LoveActually.srt LoveActually.doc LoveActually.mp3 |
I'm not sure that the translator caught all the English idioms. Would you really say Le lot précédent for the last lot ? But Level-1 films are good to find. |
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DrBell.avi DrBell.srt DrBell.doc DrBell.mp3 |
Exactly what students of French need. A rattling good series, a very formal style of French, and Level-1 |
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ForrestGump.avi ForrestGump.srt ForrestGump.doc ForrestGump.mp3 |
The deliberate pace of the dialogue helps greatly, but it's still harder than a straightforward documentary. A Level-2 |
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TigreDragon.avi TigreDragon.srt TigreDragon.doc TigreDragon.mp3 |
One of those rare things, a Level-1 film. |
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StarWars.avi StarWars.srt StarWars.doc StarWars.mp3 |
Interesting that as soon as
pronunciation deviates from Paris standard we're foxed. Where on earth did
these guys learn their French? And are they part of the Francophone
community ? |
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How strange it is that American films work so well in French. It always seems to me that the dubbing actors particularly enjoy giving their own voices the gritty quality of the American accent |
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If the dialogue were delivered more slowly, this would be Level-1. Most of it is very clear. However, the rapid pace makes it a good little exercise at Level-2. Horribly boring story, though, isn't it ? |
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DavidCopperfield.avi DavidCopperfield.srt DavidCopperfield.doc DavidCopperfield.mp3 |
This is typical of the sort of passage that gives no difficulty when you listen to it 'live', because the ear just skips the hard bits. But when you make a transcription, it isn't enough to pick up the general idea of what Mrs Gummidge says, you have to try to unravel the speech. |
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PeterPan.avi PeterPan.srt PeterPan.doc PeterPan.mp3 |
The voices of children are always the hardest to decipher, but these are very polite children ! I couldn't pick up the verb in the sixth line which I replaced by 'écrit'. Can you ? |
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Flingueuses.avi Flingueuses.srt Flingueuses.doc Flingueuses.mp3 |
The dubbed voices are very clear, (these ladies are middle-class English, after all) but the delivery is quite rapid, so this makes a good Level 2 exercise |
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HommeBicentenaire.avi HommeBicentenaire.srt HommeBicentenaire.doc HommeBicentenaire.mp3 |
It's a Level-1,of course, but in fact there are many little linguistic touches in here to note, as the translators try to reproduce the relaxed American style of dialogue. |
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RaisonsSentiments.avi RaisonsSentiments.srt RaisonsSentiments.doc RaisonsSentiments.mp3 |
Try not to take too much notice of the unbelievably wooden acting. It's the register of mannered, formal French that interests us here. |
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Langoliers.avi Langoliers.srt Langoliers.doc Langoliers.mp3 |
I don't think a film can ever be Level-1 - there is too much variety in tone, background sound, vocabulary etc. But this monologue is mostly very clear. |
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InspecteurFrost.avi InspecteurFrost.srt InspecteurFrost.doc InspecteurFrost.mp3 |
Apart from the occasional indistinct word, this is a Level-1. It just doesn't work in French, does it ? |
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VoileIllusions.avi VoileIllusions.srt VoileIllusions.doc VoileIllusions.mp3 |
This is a Level-1. And you know already what I keep on saying about the virtues of English language films dubbed into French for learners |
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DocteurPatch.avi DocteurPatch.srt DocteurPatch.doc DocteurPatch.mp3 |
A slow-paced slushy American comedy - should be a level-1. But in fact the intimate, breathy dialogue, with many words implied rather than clearly pronounced, puts this towards the top of level-2 |
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Murdoch.avi Murdoch.srt Murdoch.doc Murdoch.mp3 |
The dubbing is exceptionally clear. You might expect the French dubbing actors to adopt Canadian accents, but no - standard French pronunciation is what we get. However, the delivery is sometimes rapid, and that makes it a very useful level-2 |
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LesArnaqueurs.avi LesArnaqueurs.srt LesArnaqueurs.doc LesArnaqueurs.mp3 |
The dialogue has that modern, intimate quality which makes the French dubbing speed up and become quite difficult to follow. So - Level 2. |
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TrésorOublié.avi TrésorOublié.srt TrésorOublié.doc TrésorOublié.mp3 |
German films and series dubbed into French are always good listening exercises, because German is a slower language than French. In this case, however, the language is relaxed and trendy, so it ends up a decent level-2 |
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AProposD'Henry.avi AProposD'Henry.srt AProposD'Henry.doc AProposD'Henry.mp3 |
This is exactly the sort of American film that students need to watch - not for the quality of the film, but for the clarity of the dubbing. The level is well above that of documentaries, but far easier than a modern French film. |
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ElisabethAgeD'Or.avi ElisabethAgeD'Or.srt ElisabethAgeD'Or.doc ElisabethAgeD'Or.mp3 |
Historical dramas always give the ear a chance, and this is very formal English. I think we'll call it level-1 - albeit at the top of that range. |
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LeLauréat.avi LeLauréat.srt LeLauréat.doc LeLauréat.mp3 |
I'm going to call this level-1. Like the clip above, it is fairly easy to follow as films go. Let's be aware though, that this is rather harder than the typical voice-over of a documentary |
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AgenceTousRisques.avi AgenceTousRisques.srt AgenceTousRisques.doc AgenceTousRisques.mp3 |
The imitation of the fairly rapid 'patter' of the American makes this a level-2, I think |
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BatailleD'Angleterre.avi BatailleD'Angleterre.srt BatailleD'Angleterre.doc BatailleD'Angleterre.mp3 |
De poulet à
grain à Grqnd Duc en une seule leçon Prenez garde du chleuh dans le soleil Can you work out the original English ? |
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Island.avi Island.srt Island.doc Island.mp3 |
The sedate pace and clear sound of this scene between the psychologist and the hero makes it a Level-1 |
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AngelBenediction.avi AngelBenediction.srt AngelBenediction.doc AngelBenediction.mp3 |
The dialogue is fairly fast and relaxed, so Level-2. But, like all these series that are churned out by the dubbing studios it is a lot clearer than native French material. |
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ET.avi ET.srt ET.doc ET.mp3 |
It is the voice of the boy that is interesting here. Much easier than the 'live' voices of real children, but still - Level-2 |
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Tour_de_l'Ecrou.avi Tour_de_l'Ecrou.srt Tour_de_l'Ecrou.doc Tour_de_l'Ecrou.mp3 |
A period piece, dubbed from the English, but not entirely straightforward. A Level-2 |
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Dollhouse.avi Dollhouse.srt Dollhouse.doc Dollhouse.mp3 |
Relaxed American English, and the inclusion of lots of scientific terms, plus the manner of the way-out young scientist pushes this up towards level-3 I think |
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HolmesRevanche.avi HolmesRevanche.srt HolmesRevanche.doc HolmesRevanche.mp3 |
We can expect 19th century formal English dubbed into French to be rather easy to follw, and it is the case here. A nice Level-1 |
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Marnie.avi Marnie.srt Marnie.doc Marnie.mp3 |
Level-1 and a corker of a film. What more could one want ? |
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TopModels.avi TopModels.srt TopModels.doc TopModels.mp3 |
A triumphant level-1, intellectually as well as linguistically. |
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DOS.avi DOS.srt DOS.doc DOS.mp3 |
Although the dubbing is clear, the dialogue is nrapid-fire and very informal. It's a good level-2. |
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TheGame.avi TheGame.srt TheGame.doc TheGame.mp3 |
I think we'll make this a level-1 film - not as clear as a documentary, but a good entry-level American film |
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V.avi V.srt V.doc V.mp3 |
Apart from the scene with the young mother
who has had nasty things done to her by the aliens, it's all pretty
clear diction. |
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LifePiedsSurTerre.avi LifePiedsSurTerre.srt LifePiedsSurTerre.doc LifePiedsSurTerre.mp3 |
We shouldn't be too dismissive of this type of programme. The dubbing is very clear, but the dialogue is fast-paced and that always makes a good exercise for the ear. |
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Cabaret.avi Cabaret.srt Cabaret.doc Cabaret.mp3 |
This is a level-3. I got most of it, but a few words here and there escaped me. See how you do. There's a moment just before Sally said 'Je crois je vais vomir'. Email me if you know what she says. |
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AeonFlux.avi AeonFlux.srt AeonFlux.doc AeonFlux.mp3 |
The delivery is quite rapid, but clear. Good
standard dubbing makes a level-2 |
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Superman.avi Superman.srt Superman.doc Superman.mp3 |
I chose this extract because the sound quality of the Marlon Brando extract makes it just a little harder to follow. And then we get the excitable Loïs Lane who is harder to follow still. |
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PoliceAcademy.avi PoliceAcademy.srt PoliceAcademy.doc PoliceAcademy.mp3 |
You might expect this to be difficult, but in fact the need to get the humour across encourages the actors to speak rather carefully - it's the same with the original. |
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CrimeOxford.avi CrimeOxford.srt CrimeOxford.doc CrimeOxford.mp3 |
It's a straight level-1, this. The voices of the policeman, the philosopher, the student, are all standard and educated. |
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Experts.avi Experts.srt Experts.doc Experts.mp3 |
I'm always fascinated by how well the French dubbing actors capture the quality of the English and especially the American voice. It's worth comparing the John Hurt dubbing from Crimes à Oxford. Both Level-1, but rather different. |
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ScaryMovie3.avi ScaryMovie3.srt ScaryMovie3.doc ScaryMovie3.mp3 |
The dubbing is crystal clear - as always when the objective is to get the jokes across. But the delivery is occasionally quite fast and a few syllables get swallowed here and there |
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Charade.avi Charade.srt Charade.doc Charade.mp3 |
Although the voices are very clear, it's a level-2 because of the fast delivery. |
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Alice.avi Alice.srt Alice.doc Alice.mp3 |
The language is trendy, quite rapid, but the dubbing actors speak clearly. It makes for a useful exercise |
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EleventhHour.avi EleventhHour.srt EleventhHour.doc EleventhHour.mp3 |
This is good traditional level-1 stuff, thanks to the clear dubbing. |
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ParentsAToutPrix.avi ParentsAToutPrix.srt ParentsAToutPrix.doc ParentsAToutPrix.mp3 |
The dubbing actors try to get a bit of grit into their voices to match the personalities of the Finnerty family. That boosts the level up to a decent 2 |
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LasVegasHotel.avi LasVegasHotel.srt LasVegasHotel.doc LasVegasHotel.mp3 |
The context of what is said is what helps us to understand. At the beginning we are told that the big boss quotes from the Bible, and I thought it would be easy to decipher. But I didn't get it. See how you do. |
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OperationShakespeare.avi OperationShakespeare.srt OperationShakespeare.doc OperationShakespeare.mp3 |
Mostly fairly clear, apart from the part in the baseball park |
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LeRègneDuFeu.avi LeRègneDuFeu.srt LeRègneDuFeu.doc LeRègneDuFeu.mp3 |
Straightforward voices. This is a level-1 film - which means a bit harder than a documentary, but as films go, not bad. |
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Spécialistes.avi Spécialistes.srt Spécialistes.txt Spécialistes.mp3 |
I was surprised that the dialogue wasn't faster, and therefore more difficult - one has the impression that the Italians speak quickly. It doesn't seem to be the case. |
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Apollo13.avi Apollo13.srt Apollo13.txt Apollo13.mp3 |
The sound quality in the second half of the clip is very space-fiction, with plenty of engine noise in the background, and the vocabulary very specialised. A level-3 |
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SexCity.avi SexCity.srt SexCity.txt SexCity.mp3 |
It's not as easy as you might think. The dubbing studios take more trouble over cult films, and the fast cutting at the beginning poses quite a problem of comprehension. It's a good level-2 |
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Numb3rs.avi Numb3rs.srt Numb3rs.txt Numb3rs.mp3 |
It's a straight-forward level-1, apart from the irritating moment at the start that I couldn't pick up. See if you can do better. |