UPDATE: Are The Right Subtitles On LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Yet?!
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Several months back, we had posted an article with a side-by-side comparison of an early screener of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN along with the recently released DVD/Blu-Ray version from Magnolia Pictures. We were shocked to discover such a discrepancy in the subtitles from version to version.
While we're sure this kind of loss in translation happens all the time with foreign films, it seemed baffling as to why a film that had been playing for months in limited theatrical release with accurate subtitles (to critical praise) would suddenly sport a completely different translation for the home video release. (Especially considering the screener copies sent out to reviewers all had the original translations) We theorized that possibly someone in Magnolia's home video department just thought it'd be cheaper to not pay the original translater (credited to Ingrid Eng) and just have someone else redo them. (Just a theory.)
Naturally, the issue caused quite an uproar amongst fellow critics, fans and consumers that were looking forward to seeing this highly praised cult-classic, only to get an inferior version of it. Magnolia never issued an "official" statement addressing the issue, but spoke to Digital Bits and informed them that new copies of the feature will be issues with "Subtitles English (Theatrical)" listed on the back. No word as to when this was going to happen. Nor were there to be any refunds for the original discs.
It'd been months since we'd heard ANY thing. The only thing I heard (and can confirm) is that the version of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN that is currently streaming on Netflix Watch Instantly IS in fact the theatrical version with the correct subtitles.
Regardless, I had to follow up with Magnolia on the actual DVD/Blu-Ray release. I was nervous that maybe Magnolia decided to completely ignore this issue, citing it as merely the cries of "a few band-wagon mentality bloggers." (Thanks for the actual quote, sales exec)
I wrote directly to Magnolia's video department to see what the status of the new re-issued LET THE RIGHT ONE IN DVD's was. Here's the reply I received from Melissa Romley:
"At this time there is nothing new to update you with. The original theatrical subtitles will be made available as an additional English language subtitle option on future manufacturing runs."
Seemed pretty vague.... and disappointing.
Yet, several fans wrote me to inform me that they HAVE found NEW re-issues of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN at their local TARGET stores. Here's what to look for in insuring you get the RIGHT subtitles:
The good news is... they are out there. You just have to really look for them. And as of right now, TARGET's a good bet. I have yet to hear or see of any Blu-Ray versions with the appropriate subtitles, so please, if you find the Blu-Ray or more stores that have them, comment below so that fellow appreciators of this movie can own the version we saw in theaters.
Many thanks to the people that sent the above screengrabs. And for everyone interested in helping with this on-going matter. I'm sure director Tomas Alfredson would appreciate your efforts.
While we're sure this kind of loss in translation happens all the time with foreign films, it seemed baffling as to why a film that had been playing for months in limited theatrical release with accurate subtitles (to critical praise) would suddenly sport a completely different translation for the home video release. (Especially considering the screener copies sent out to reviewers all had the original translations) We theorized that possibly someone in Magnolia's home video department just thought it'd be cheaper to not pay the original translater (credited to Ingrid Eng) and just have someone else redo them. (Just a theory.)
Naturally, the issue caused quite an uproar amongst fellow critics, fans and consumers that were looking forward to seeing this highly praised cult-classic, only to get an inferior version of it. Magnolia never issued an "official" statement addressing the issue, but spoke to Digital Bits and informed them that new copies of the feature will be issues with "Subtitles English (Theatrical)" listed on the back. No word as to when this was going to happen. Nor were there to be any refunds for the original discs.
It'd been months since we'd heard ANY thing. The only thing I heard (and can confirm) is that the version of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN that is currently streaming on Netflix Watch Instantly IS in fact the theatrical version with the correct subtitles.
Regardless, I had to follow up with Magnolia on the actual DVD/Blu-Ray release. I was nervous that maybe Magnolia decided to completely ignore this issue, citing it as merely the cries of "a few band-wagon mentality bloggers." (Thanks for the actual quote, sales exec)
I wrote directly to Magnolia's video department to see what the status of the new re-issued LET THE RIGHT ONE IN DVD's was. Here's the reply I received from Melissa Romley:
"At this time there is nothing new to update you with. The original theatrical subtitles will be made available as an additional English language subtitle option on future manufacturing runs."
Seemed pretty vague.... and disappointing.
Yet, several fans wrote me to inform me that they HAVE found NEW re-issues of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN at their local TARGET stores. Here's what to look for in insuring you get the RIGHT subtitles:
The good news is... they are out there. You just have to really look for them. And as of right now, TARGET's a good bet. I have yet to hear or see of any Blu-Ray versions with the appropriate subtitles, so please, if you find the Blu-Ray or more stores that have them, comment below so that fellow appreciators of this movie can own the version we saw in theaters.
Many thanks to the people that sent the above screengrabs. And for everyone interested in helping with this on-going matter. I'm sure director Tomas Alfredson would appreciate your efforts.
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Comments
Glad this is finally coming to fruition. I heard about it being at Target stores a couple days ago. I checked the local stores in the Oklahoma City/Norman area, and they don't have any of the corrected versions in. I've always checked with every Best Buy in the area, and nothing. I want this on Blu-ray, but if DVD is the best I can do at the moment then I'll make the purchase.
On the IMDb boards, people who have found it live in the Los Angeles area. Perhaps the larger cities, where the movie has more fans, has the new versions available already?
Again, thanks for the update.
Posted by: Richard Hall | July 3, 2009 01:12 AM
Thanx so much for keeping us posted on this. I bought the first release right when it came out and was waiting for the corrected version. I will go to Target to look for the Theatrical version. Thanx again....:)
Posted by: Kat | July 3, 2009 09:31 AM
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO!
I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BUY THIS YET, ONLY RENTED IT AT BLOCKBUSTER...
NOW I KNOW THAT THAT WASN'T THE REAL VERSION I WATCHED...
SO THANK YOU, I NOW CAN KEEP MY EYES OUT FOR THE RIGHT VERSION WHEN I CAN FINALLY BUY IT...
I'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW IF I CAN FIND IT OVER HERE IN HAWAII...
ALOHA!
AND THANKS AGAIN!
L
M
L
Posted by: Lady Maharet Le'Fay | July 4, 2009 01:21 AM
I got one at TARGET in Paramus, NJ. There were 4 copies, only 1 was the new "theatrical" subtitles. I'm happy now.
Posted by: Dave Neabore | July 6, 2009 01:27 PM
Thanks Icons.. for keeping us updated. I found one with Theatrical subtitles at a S.F. Bay Area Target 7/07/09
Target had 2 with the updated subtitles-now they have one. I watched it again for the first time. I have to say, I can not love this film more than I already do--with or without the theatrical subtitles.
Thanks again for the update!
Posted by: Bud | July 8, 2009 12:35 AM
Hi!
Could you please confirm if this version also corrects the SPANISH subtitles?
The spanish subtitles on the original release where exactly the same as the botched english subs. A screen cap would be great.
In fact, just one screencap of the subtitles during Eli and Oskar's first encounter outside the building. The wrong subtitles should read "Vivo aquí" (I live here) and the correct subtitles should read "Vivo aquí, en el pasamanos" (I live here, in the concrete jungle).
Thanks, and just so you know, MANY international users such as myself have been paying attention to the resolution of this issue, specially because the Spanish subtitles got messed up along the English subs.
Posted by: Arturo Lugo | August 1, 2009 08:12 AM
@Arturo Thank you so much i was thinking of buying the BD version hoping the spanish subs were right, now ill have just wait.
I really doubt they will end up fixing the spanish ones, mainly because if they didn't really care about the english ones, and that is their main language, why would they bother fixing the others.
Posted by: Gabo | August 3, 2009 06:21 AM
Hey Arturo, I saw your post. I checked out my copy with the English theatrical subtitles. Unfortunatley the Spanish subtitles only read "Vivo Aqui" in the scene you mentioned in your post. Wish I had better news to report. Still a great flick!
Posted by: Bud | August 3, 2009 11:27 PM
Whatever you do, DON'T order from F.Y.E., especially if you don't live in the United States. The web site says that those who don't live in the U.S. should have the DVD sent to a friend who DOES live in the U.S., but doesn't let you enter a non-U.S. billing address; so a credit card can't be used. Since the clip showed the theatrical subtitles, I thought the DVD would also have theatrical subtitles; so I asked an American friend to order it for me. The DVD did NOT have theatrical subtitles; so I asked him to request an exchange for the right DVD or a refund. After some time, they did refund his money, but I still owe him for two-way shipping. Fortunately, another friend found ONE COPY of the right DVD in ONE of the four Target stores in L.A.; so I finally got my copy, but only after a great deal of frustration, not to mention a waste of my money and my friend's time.
Posted by: Timothy Walsh | September 11, 2009 02:54 AM
I know I'm a little late to the posting party here, but Walmart's copies all appear to have the proper theatrical subtitles, as well. I think it's still relevant to say so, because I've still seen the old copies in some stores.
Plus, it's only $13 USD at Walmart, so, I consider that a win/win. Glad I waited to pick mine up.
Posted by: D | December 4, 2009 04:17 PM
For those of you looking for a US blu-ray with the correct subs, I haven't seen one or heard any news of a release date, but the UK version available on Amazon.co.uk has the theatrical subs and will play on a US blu-ray player (I have confirmed this myself). It includes extras like deleted scenes and commentary in English, but the main title audio track is DTS 5.1, not Dolby TrueHD.
Posted by: Andrew | December 5, 2009 06:10 AM
and to bud: unfortunately, the UK version does not include any Spanish subtitles.
Posted by: Andrew | December 5, 2009 06:12 AM