I will not pretend that this is an original idea for a post. In fact, this post is based on research/postings of stuff I compiled through the internets.
Another inspiration for me putting this list together is courtesy of a fellow LAMB-er, Ruth at Flixchatter. Although her post is looking at a single film promotion targeted at a Western market, it got me on a tangent and thinking about the age old issue of movie titles being lost in translation. In other words, English based movie titles that are translated into other languages. Before I get into my Top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. (Note: some titles may contain spoilers)
Honorable Mention:
The Shawshank Redemption becomes Excitement 1995 in China
Knocked Up becomes Slightly Pregnant in Peru
Die Hard With a Vengance becomes Die Hard: Mega Hard in Denmark
Top 10
10. Leon: The Professional becomes This Hit Man is Not as Cold as He Thought in China
9. Grease becomes Vaseline in Argentina
8. GI Jane becomes Satan Female Soldier in China
7. Nixon becomes Big Liar in China
6. Leaving Las Vegas becomes I’m Drunk and You’re a Prostitute in Japan
5. The Full Monty becomes Six Naked Pigs in China
4. The Sixth Sense becomes He’s a Ghost in China
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind becomes If You Leave Me, I Delete You in Italy
2. Boogie Nights becomes His Powerful Device Makes Him Famous in China
1. The Matrix becomes The Young People Who Traverse Dimensions While Wearing Sunglasses in France
Now it is your turn – did I miss one? Is there that one title that you find laugh out loud hilarious?
For my readers to whom English is not their native language, have you seen the reverse occur?
Please share your reaction in the comments field below.
Jack Deth says
August 12, 2011 at 10:00 amHi, iluv and company:
Great topic! Gives a glimpse into the culture and marketing outside the US.
I’ll admit that some of more literal foreign titles are much better than the US titles.
One must remember that Chevrolet tried to flog their Novas back in the early 1970s and failed. None of the ivy league corporate suits were aware that ‘No va’ means ‘No go’ in Spanish. The Argentine ‘Vaseline’ for ‘Grease’ brings a smile backhanding John Travolta’s hair products.
‘The Sixth Sense’ could have just as easily been: ‘I See Dead People!’.
The idea of a female SEAL is so ludicrous that the Chinese title wreaks of irony.
You can’t fault the Japanese for truth in advertising regarding their choice regarding ‘Leaving Las Vegas’.
‘The Matrix’ should never have gone beyond its first film. So the French title resonates with me.
Paolo says
August 16, 2011 at 3:15 amWow, the Italian version of Eternal Sunshine sounds like a threat someone in high school makes over Facebook.
Yvette says
August 16, 2011 at 12:28 pmThe Matrix one just cracks me up. Grease = Vaseline. Funny. Great list!