Ponyo on Blu-ray (Specs questions, both JP and US releases) (1 Viewer)

[AaronMK]

Being a Miyazaki fan, I have been anxiously awaiting this title. I did not catch it in theaters because they only released the dubbed version. I would very much like to see the original version of this (lossless Japanese soundtrack, accurately subtitled, and without replaced animation, etc.) I have seen this announced for a March 2nd US release, but the specs are vague. (Mentions DTS-MA but is that only for the the English Dub? etc.)

I have a friend returning from Japan soon. She says she can pick up the Japanese Blu-ray, but it will cost $50 for a movie I have not seen. I would happily wait for the American Blu-ray (cheaper and I can rent it first), if I know it will contain the "real" version of the film, and on at least equal status with the English dub. (Unlike Miramax's recent handling of Hero, etc.)

So, is anyone more familiar with how Disney will be handling the American Blu-ray.

Thanks for any input.

 

[cafink]

Do you know for sure that the Japanese version has "accurate" English subtitles?

Also, this isn't related to your question, but I've always been a pretty strong purists when it comes to foreign-language films, which is to say that I will normally only watch them subtitled, never dubbed. However, the one exception I permit is for children's films, like Ponyo. I still wouldn't buy the DVD or Blu-ray without the original language track and English subtitles, but for a theatrical release, even I think it's kind of unreasonable to expect a studio to release a children's film with subtitles.

That said, I'm quite looking forward to catching Ponyo on Blu-ray in Japanese. I missed it in the theater for reasons quite unrelated to its English dubbing.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I think the best way to answer your question would be to look at how Disney has handled its Miyazaki releases on DVD, most of which John Lasseter had a hand in finalizing (as he is a HUGE Miyazaki fan). Every Disney Miyazaki release I've viewed includes both original Japanses audio and English subtitles, although I cannot say for sure whether these are SDH subtitles or the original translations. I seem to recall that Miramax's release of Princess Mononoke had both options, but it's been awhile.

 

[Edwin-S]

The Disney releases of Miyazaki's films had both SDH and standard subtitles. I would expect that PONYO would also have SDH and standard subs.

 

[Serega_M]

When I first read the title of this thread, I've read it as "PoRno on Blu-Ray"... Guess I am not alone, or else I am too corrupted

 

[AaronMK]

When I first read the title of this thread, I've read it as "PoRno on Blu-Ray"... Guess I am not alone, or else I am too corrupted

I still wouldn't buy the DVD or Blu-ray without the original language track and English subtitles, but for a theatrical release, even I think it's kind of unreasonable to expect a studio to release a children's film with subtitles.

I can't argue with that, even though I would very much like to. Still I was hoping that with digital cinema becoming more prevalent, it would be more feasible for cinemas to have a couple of showings with the original soundtrack, since they are not dealing with separate reels of film.

I think the best way to answer your question would be to look at how Disney has handled its Miyazaki releases on DVD, most of which John Lasseter had a hand in finalizing (as he is a HUGE Miyazaki fan)

With DVD, aside from a few quirks, I was pretty happy with how the Disney handled most of them. I think I'll take a gamble and wait on the American release.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

I'm actually looking forward to seeing the other OOP catalog titles, eg. My Neighbor Totoro, becoming available again at the same time (although they still won't be in Blu). I just missed out on picking up MNT (and Kiki's Delivery Service) at the last 25%-off DVDPlanet sale (from the summer) when they apparently went OOP. Maybe the newly added featurette on Studio Ghibli will make me glad I missed out previously -- or maybe not.

Maybe I'll pick up Ponyo on Blu also -- hadn't heard too much about it.

_Man_

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Head over to the Digital Bits and check out the new covers for the Studio Ghibli titles. Talk about a major tease for Blu-Ray owners with those blue banners @ the top! Link: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#121109

 

[Sam Posten]

Am I the only one surprised they aren't bundling these together as a 4 pack?

 

[AaronMK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Posten

Am I the only one surprised they aren't bundling these together as a 4 pack?

That would seem to make sense.

I suspect that would be a collector type package. I think most collectors have moved to Blu-ray, and would rather wait for Blu-ray releases of the other three titles. Those titles be DVD only was a tease! FWIW, Japan doesn't have them yet on Blu-ray either.

 

[JediFonger]

the US will most likely be the same w/video picture quality, but w/lossless english dub as well. US subs will also be a typical French (for the Canadians), Spanish, and English subs that is synched to the English performance.

this is the Japanese import spex:

Length: 1:40:50
Total Bitrate: 34.02 Mbps
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 23515 kbps / 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: Japanese / DTS-HD Master Audio / 6.1 / 48 kHz / 4537 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 6.1-ES / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio: Japanese / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Audio: English / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: Chinese / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: Chinese / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: French / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: Italian / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: Korean / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Audio: Spanish / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitle: English / 20.181 kbps
Subtitle: Chinese / 18.183 kbps
Subtitle: Chinese / 16.937 kbps
Subtitle: French / 24.097 kbps
Subtitle: Italian / 27.953 kbps
Subtitle: Japanese / 16.174 kbps
Subtitle: Korean / 15.651 kbps
Subtitle: Spanish / 22.349 kbps

 

[JediFonger]

BTW: the Japanese english subs on their regions are the most accurate 'English subs' rather than the US copies. just my 2cents. just like the film "Let the Right One In" it's the imported copy's subs that provides the most emotional impact to the story (Totoro is a prime example). the Region1/A's translation are poor, crass, childish and do not speak to the themes of the films (unless they were taken from the imported copies). i've seen Ponyo in the cinema about 4x (ENG dub ONLY here in the US) and bought an imported DVD and watched that more than 4x now (JAP original w/ENG sub) and in the film the themes about love between the fish and the boy is completely lost in the English dubbing to lesson's about respecting other species or some crap like that. just my 2cents =).

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

That is too bad. I wish they would do the subs right -- and not merely throw us a bone or something (or well, that's what it can feel like anyway). They should probably include both versions of the subs, if they think some will prefer the watered down version.

I don't have the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon BD (yet), but IIRC, that also got a more watered down version of the subs than even the original US theatrical version, which was itself not all *that* faithful to the actual dialog anyway -- it gave the gist of the dialog, but was often rather lacking in nuance.

_Man_

 

[JediFonger]

the US releases do include it, but some do and some don't. i don't recall which specific Miyazaki had the accurate subs or not.

 

[AaronMK]

Accurate subs would be a prerequisite for purchase. I mean no disrespect to John Lasseter, and really appreciate his role in exposing Miyazaki to American audiences (among other things). However, I want to see the movie that was made by the original filmmakers, not the film that someone else thinks a different audience will like better.

However, I am curious. Assuming plot elements remain the same (no theme changes or the infamous "Our Land" instead of "All Under Heaven"), why do people some feel literal translations (written as if someone was saying the same thing following the grammar of the target language) are not practical. If we give Shakespeare to grade school children to read in its original form and don't question whether it will be "palatable" to them, why is that a concern when it comes to accurate translations of foreign films?

 

[Eric F]

Originally Posted by AaronMK /forum/thread/295727/ponyo-on-blu-ray-specs-questions-both-jp-and-us-releases#post_3641553

 

[DaveF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronMK

However, I am curious. Assuming plot elements remain the same (no theme changes or the infamous "Our Land" instead of "All Under Heaven"), why do people some feel literal translations (written as if someone was saying the same thing following the grammar of the target language) are not practical.

"Translation is interpretation", as my Russian Professor told me.

My modest understanding was that Pixar (John Lasseter, specifically) had worked hard to have quality English translations for the dubs; and presumably quality English sub-titles for the original language tracks. Thinking thusly, I've preferred to watch the Ghibli films dubbed rather than subbed. Is this not so; are some dubs or subs considered particularly superior or inferior? Can you point me to more info on this?

I wonder if a diffferent translation of Ponyo would help me, as I didn't care for the movie in the theater, since the story seemed erratic and without emotional resonance.

 

[AaronMK]

Is this not so; are some dubs or subs considered particularly superior or inferior? Can you point me to more info on this?

I either wish I could, or should be happy I can't for the ignorance being bliss factor. I haven't seen it, but the first DVD/Blu-ray release of Let the Right One In contained a subtitle track that was dumbed down from the theatrical track. They have restored the theatrical track on current pressings.

I hear that the dialog of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is actually quit poetic. I don't recall the subtitles sharing that same quality, but I don't think that makes it an "inferior" track. Assuming that is the case, would it have been better the translation to retain a poetic feel even if the English of an accurate translation can't be turned into good poetry? In any case, there are reports that the Blu-ray release does not contain the theatrical subtitles.

But let's assume release consistency. Subtitles are a balancing act in saying everything without bogging down people in text, whether to adapt culture specific phrases, etc. I guess what is superior can be a little subjective. I think the cases of inferior subtitle tracks are more clear cut.

i've seen Ponyo in the cinema about 4x (ENG dub ONLY here in the US) and bought an imported DVD and watched that more than 4x now (JAP original w/ENG sub) and in the film the themes about love between the fish and the boy is completely lost in the English dubbing to lesson's about respecting other species or some crap like that.

If the American Ponyo subtitles turn out convey the English Dub instead of a translation from Japanese, I'd call that a clear cut inferior case, regardless of which is a "better" movie.

 

[JediFonger]

actually, Miyazaki approved the use of the subs and was happy enough w/it to make it all exclusive ENG dub for all theatrical releases... so makes u wonder =P.

meanwhile, i did "read" it on the imported region2 first ENG sub=). much better meaning than ENG dub.

 

[JediFonger]

so far all of the official Disney releases of Ghibli movies on DVD have dubs that conveyed the English performance and not the Japanese translation. ponyo should be the same DVD&BD.

Ponyo is $100 on ebay or from the usual imported places. there are two versions:
1. limited ed. pressing where they included ENG dub w/Japanese subtitles (strange hunh?)
2. regular Japanese version

both are region free. prices will fall once US edition comes out.

but why would you want to buy the US ed. w/poor subs? .

UNLESS som1 smart gets involved and actually created both subtitles in there... that would really rock.

Originally Posted by AaronMK



I either wish I could, or should be happy I can't for the ignorance being bliss factor. I haven't seen it, but the first DVD/Blu-ray release of Let the Right One In contained a subtitle track that was dumbed down from the theatrical track. They have restored the theatrical track on current pressings.

I hear that the dialog of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is actually quit poetic. I don't recall the subtitles sharing that same quality, but I don't think that makes it an "inferior" track. Assuming that is the case, would it have been better the translation to retain a poetic feel even if the English of an accurate translation can't be turned into good poetry? In any case, there are reports that the Blu-ray release does not contain the theatrical subtitles.

But let's assume release consistency. Subtitles are a balancing act in saying everything without bogging down people in text, whether to adapt culture specific phrases, etc. I guess what is superior can be a little subjective. I think the cases of inferior subtitle tracks are more clear cut.

If the American Ponyo subtitles turn out convey the English Dub instead of a translation from Japanese, I'd call that a clear cut inferior case, regardless of which is a "better" movie.