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JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I'm using Hoser's thread about yelling (in the movie Yamato) as inspiration (but starting a new thread to avoid threadjacking his)....

Movies like Yamato would be great to see, but it would sure be nice to have English subs.... In fact, let me expand that a little further. Japanese video stores tend to have a WIDE variety of foreign films, and by foreign I mean from MANY countries other than the U.S. Unfortunately, if it's (for example) a Hungarian film, it's going to be in its original language PLUS Japanese subs or dubbing. I also would like to find out if there's a way of knowing which of these titles have been subbed into English....

Does anyone have a link to a good website that specializes in foreign films? (Maybe like IMDB but more specific)... When I go to Canada it would be nice if I could fill my boots with some premium foreign DVDs that I would otherwise NEVER be able to watch in Japan due to the language thing.

Before moving to Japan, I found that selection in places like Blockbuster was pretty piss-poor when it came to anything non-Hollywood.

And while we're at it, feel free to include some of your favorite non-Hollywood movie titles that you've enjoyed over the years.

Here's a few of mine....

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116790/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080179/ (the original 1978 edition -- NOT the newer 1994 version)...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373074/

All of these GREAT movies I would have never been able to enjoy by renting them in Japanese video stores due to the language issue... Smile

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

I agree with you Jim. One of the few things (besides Kanto summers, gokiburi, and being perpetually illiterate) I really dislike about living here is not being able to enjoy Japanese movies (since I'm far from fluent in the language). I've had to get my favorite Kurosawa DVDs while in the US, and would love to be able to see "Yamato", "Battle Royale", etc. Others, like the samurai classics, "Throne of Blood" and "Samurai Banners", I'll have to be content to wait until I'm back in the US to watch.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

I was under the impression that "Battle Royale" had never been translated into English, nor were subtitles offered. I'm glad I was wrong. Thanks for the info!

Wild Bill · Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 37

"What's up Tiger Lilly" redubbed by Woody Allen.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

Where would you be going in Canada Jim? I know that there is a rental place in Toronto with a good foreign film selection. I can't remember the name of it but if you happen to be heading to Toronto then I'll look it up for you.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Unfortunately not.... Western Canada. Mainly Edmonton, but in a pinch I can make it to a store in Vancouver, as we are going through there too.

Region is not a problem. I can play any and all region DVDs on all my players...

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

If you look at Amazon.ca under the Art House and International CD section you will find quite a few Japanese films as well as some French, Italian, and others. You can also browse by original language, if you want. You might consider ordering while you are in Canada if you have time, or order and get someone to send them to you, if you don't.

If you just want to rent some while you're there look around for a video store known to have a foreign film section; there should be some of the classic ones there. You might also try the Library. They lend videos and I found some Kurosawa classics there. One of my favourites was Do desu-ka den, a great black and white film, a play really, about the citizens in a slum neighborhood in Tokyo. Very moving. I also love Tampopo, on my list of all-time favourites. There are also some wonderful Indian films released recently.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

If you are at the video store in Japan, and want to know if a Japanese film has English subtitles, ask;

"Kono eiga ni wa, Eigo no jimaku arimasuka?"

"Does this movie have English subtitles?".

I have been disappointed to find out that 'Matango' (Attack of the Mushroom People' does not have English subtitles, as well as Yamoto. I am thinking of trying to find both of them when I go back to Canada this Christmas.

Some movies such as Howel's moving castle DO have English subtitles.

Speed · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Shikoku Land

JimD 2,

If you or others are interested in getting more `foreign` films with dubs/subs in English, go to this site:

http://www.expat-video.com/en/index.html

It`s a little expensive and the selection isn`t so extensive, but hopefully you`ll be able to get some of what you want without having to leave the country.

I haven`t used the service yet, so if you do, post your satifaction report here. merci! (`thank you`).

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Thanks for all the responses, guys..... If you have any more ideas, plz post em here. And don't forget to include your own favourite foreign film. Smile

Speed: Thankx, I'll check that out very soon.

Willy: That works, but it's usually a lot quicker just to look at the back of the DVD jacket and read the language/subtitle information...

FWIW, I wrote a little blurb about this on Dave's a LONG time ago, but it has since been lost and it's rather hard to find in a search since it was in the middle of someone else's thread, so I will make it into a NEW thread so it can be found a little easier. X-ref here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=46232

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:00 pm Post subject:

A little off-topic, but still with the movies...

Even though there's no subs, what are the really good Japanese flicks to see? I'm getting Yamato this weekend...any others??? (No horror please, there's enough of that on CNN)

sushi · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 145

Would love to see Yamato with English subtitles. Historical film and a true depiction of what went on here during the war years. Apparently there were to be 4 battleships built in the Yamato class. One other got into the water, the Musashi, but the others were converted to aircraft carriers. Musashi suffered the same fate as the Yamato. Supposed to be quite a story behind the building of the battleships. Construction started way before the war started, and the ships were completed in secrecy almost. Something about the way the subcontractors were all kept segregated so that no one could really put a handle on what they were really building.

Speed · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Shikoku Land

japanman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England

Nobody knows is absolutely amazing. Puts so much about the modern situation of this country in perspective. But cry as much as you like, may release some of the tension that this country may occassionaly give you.