Necessary Evil: Dubbing in Poland before 1939 Cover Image

Zło konieczne. Dubbing w przedwojennej Polsce
Necessary Evil: Dubbing in Poland before 1939

Author(s): Paweł Sitkiewicz
Subject(s): Film / Cinema / Cinematography
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego

Summary/Abstract: In the early sound film period, a discussion on dubbing started in Poland. Some believed that this was the best way to translate films from one language to another, others criticised dubbing (for a variety of reasons) or considered it as “necessary evil” or a difficult compromise. In his article, the author tries to refer the arguments of both parties. He studies the opinions of filmmakers, film critics, representatives of various artistic disciplines, and the audience. The dispute was not just about artistic or practical issues (such as efficiency of translation methods or the comfort of the audience). In the era of nationalism, dubbing was a political problem. The author also tries to answer the question why dubbing did not spread in the Polish cinema before 1939, despite favourable conditions.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 16 (23)
  • Page Range: 78-92
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish