Anyone else annoyed when English subtitles are NOT included?

[cinemaphile]

I'm not hard of hearing or anything, but I like when English subtitles are included. Primarily because of audio commentaries. When I'm listening to the commentary audio track, I like to have the movie subtitles on so I can follow the scenes and dialogue that go along with the discussion. I especially hate when they specifically refer to a line or something ("That was a great line", etc) and you don't know what it was.

Most titles seem to include English, but I'd say about 20% of the time I run into this problem. Am I the one who does this?

(Also, though only once in a great while, I find myself watching a movie while people are sleeping in the house, and need to keep the volume very low; in which case, I turn on the subtitles to help me follow any dialogue I can't hear clearly.)

[ozzsoad]

Can't say I've ever run into that problem. Movies that I listen to the commentary for are usually movies I already know very well, so the dialogue isn't very important. I can't think of a time I've actually used subtitles except for foreign films, which obviously would have them included.

[Arkadin]

all dvds and bds should have subs imo.
case closed.
it is very rude and inconsiderate for the studios to not include them so that the hard of hearing can enjoy the film just like everyone else.
My hearing is fine, but I often watch older classics with the subs on just to make sure I catch every word.
Nothing makes me madder than the fact that the Warner Archive series dvds have no subs.
They charge you an outrageous amount of $ for an ancient barebones dvd that is not even remastered and they don't even bother to include subs.
just pathetic x 1000
there are so many strange phrases that people used back in the 30's and 40's that it really helps to have subs on those older movies.

[Chiyo_chichi]

Unless it's a foreign film, I won't use them but I champion them as a feature. Just have to put yourself in the shoes of someone hearing impaired. No reason every release shouldn't have it.

[cinemaphile]

Oh I definitely agree that the primary reason ALL titles should include them is for those with hearing impairments.

Just in my personal case, where that is not an issue, I also find it frustrating because I love to follow the dialogue while I listen to commentaries, even on films I know very well.

[Chiyo_chichi]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Oh I definitely agree that the primary reason ALL titles should include them is for those with hearing impairments.

Just in my personal case, where that is not an issue, I also find it frustrating because I love to follow the dialogue while I listen to commentaries, even on films I know very well.

I've actually done this a couple times myself.

[Zen_Amako]

The thing is you don't just push a button to add subtitles to a movie. The dialogue has to be transcribed (unless there's a script available), put in the correct format and then timed. You have to pay someone to do this. Granted, it's probably not a lot, but it's still an added expense -- which is why it's usually the smaller studios that don't include them.

[ZoetMB]

Any film that has been broadcast on American television past a given year (I think 1985), MUST have closed captioning. So if the Blu-ray or DVD doesn't have them on the feature, it's just laziness in that they didn't use the CC master for the disc.

That obviously does not apply to special features.

[Greenboom98]

I HATE when they don't include english subtitles or subtitles at all. It annoys the F*** out! I like to follow what they are saying because it kind of emerses me into the film in some weird way & can clearly without a doubt understand what they are saying. Some TV shows that I own don't have English Subtitles at all :-( Why the hell not??? As Zen was saying, yes it does factor into the expense but if you are paying full retail price $29.99 or more, shoudn't you get the "WHOLE" experience? It is not like you got it for free or something... And this was another "What Grinds My Gears" segment :-D

[john_1958]

I loathe subtitles

[horizonline]

Nothing gets done.

[kevin87]

no english subs only bother me when i can't understand what somebody's saying, or it's said too low (i don't like turning movies up loud to hear dialogue and then having to turn it down when somehting happens)

[The Theory]

Yeah, I definitely get irked when there are no subtitles. I usually only find this to be a problem with ridiculously bare-bones budget titles from small studios or Canadian imports from Alliance.

::
What are you gonna do? Since I don't have hearing problems I can't really complain per se... but for reasons already listed in this thread I prefer to watch movies with subtitles on. Blame watching movies late at night and not wanting to have neighbors (as I live in an apartment complex) or roommates getting annoyed.

[assydingo]

It's happened to me. I really hate it because in movies sometimes people mumble or maybe you have the volume kinda low to make up for when the sound effects get loud, I pretty much always use subtitles if I'm watching something alone.

[The Dark Uniter]

I don't really use subtitles unless I'm watching foreign films or shows. However, I do think its important not only to include subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing but also to folks who don't speak English.

[Pinto]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who wants English subs with all movies. Even with the volume cranked, when some lines are spoken softly or mumbled I want to check out what exactly they said.

[Adam.C]

No point for me unless its a foreign film. I find them distracting unless its not in my native tongue.

[HD Goofnut]

The first time I watch a film I use subtitles because it keeps me from missing key words.

[McCrutchy]

You guys should get a hold of some U.K. titles (BD or DVD) if you want to see inconsiderate lack of subtitling. I mean, we're talking major English-language (U.S. and U.K.) films and TV that come out with no subtitles at all except being forced/burned-in during foreign dialog.

Incredible when you come to realize that practically every program broadcast on terrestrial TV in the UK comes with optional subtitles.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

No point for me unless its a foreign film. I find them distracting unless its not in my native tongue.

They can only be distracting if they're forced - most of the time, they're optional and you can choose when/whether to use them or remove them from the screen.

To the best of my knowledge, only some French imports have forced subtitles.

I do agree they're extremely useful for the hearing impaired and those who may be learning and/or practicing English (or whatever language the movie is on).

And of course, for anyone watching a movie/TV show late at night and not wishing to bother anyone with the noise.

The worst offenders in recent memory are Kino's Pandora and the Flying Dutchman as well as the freshly issued Space 1999 (the U.S. edition at least).

And of course all of WHV's MOD DVD-Rs, otherwise known as the Warner Archive Collection.

Oh, and all of Netflix's streaming content, IIRC, which is probably a class-action lawsuit waiting too happen.