MovieChat Forums > To Be or Not to Be (1942) Discussion > French indications instead of Polish (or...

French indications instead of Polish (or English) ones

posted 19 years ago by vincent_spano
4 replies | jump to latest

I have just seen this brilliant movie the other night.

The action takes place in Poland. Because of the narration, it is
logical that every character in the movie speaks English (including
Polish and German characters). But I wonder why every sign (for
example, the theater, the gestapo headquarters, the posters presenting
the theatrical show) are written in ... French ??? Is it my version
(bought in France) or is it the same in the original version, and if so
why?

[–] federicaboldrini1984 19 years ago

The same happened to me - I bought the DVD in Italy and every sign is written in Italian. The same with Ninotchka. I guess in the old times Italian (and French) distributors always translated the writings (a bit embarassing)! I've an old Casablanca VHS with the same problem - in the famous scene at the station in Paris it's quite funny to see Ilsa's letter to Rick...written in Italian!

[–] midnite101 19 years ago

I vaguely remember our Polish professor giving everyone who didn't bother to look into proper Polish spelling/pronunciation a hard time because, apparently, the voiceover mispronounces a name on the signs, or something like that. So I guess they're Polish in the original version, don't quote me on that though - but I clearly remember it's an amazing movie I loved very much.

[–] bst58809 19 years ago

Yes, they are in Polish in the original movie.

[–] Bob_Brooker 11 years ago

Same here, my English(!) version came with French title cards. Is this the standard?

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