ASTERIX and the (Americanized) BIG FIGHT (Kitsch Critiques)

[@davidm2364]

Supposedly, the US dub (and the older US translations of the comics) rename most of the characters for copyright reasons. Asterix and Obelix stay as is because they’re the same as the French original (minus e-acute accent). It seems like names like Getafix, Vitalstatistix etc are copyrighted property of the UK translators or the UK publisher. Perhaps the UK film distributors (Palace in this case) negotiated something with them, since the series was already established there. But for an American audience coming to it fresh, they probably felt it wasn’t worth the expense for what was a gamble on an unknown property. Just some speculation on my part - I can’t think of any other reason for they’d rename nearly all of the characters... unless it was just pure American insularity and they just ignored whatever the UK had already done for decades. Also, for a US audience, the first thing “Rockette” brings to mind is the Radio City Rockettes, who are basically dancers in a Christmas show that date back to 1925. So it could be a really clumsy pop culture reference. It doesn’t make any sense, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped them before.

[@jvgreendarmok]

I think the "rock-ET" pronunciation was just to emphasise the "-et" on the end of the word, as distinct from "rock".

[@MKtheinstrumentalist]

11:55 (and others) - To be fair, the books made quite a few jokes about things that may or may not have been not supposed to have been invented at the time period they are meant to be set in. I know a few of the other films did too, but I'm pretty sure the books did as well.

[@WeirdWonderful]

Also be glad this narrator was added, because more Tony Jay is always good.

[@grugonk]

Too bad they gave him such a lousy script to work with.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

@@grugonk Well it could be worse, 'Tom & Jerry the Movie.. We got to have money' need I say more?

[@TeamBelmont91]

Indeed, as it's always a joy to hear the good word from *LORD MEGABYTE* himself!

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

I knew i heard Tony Jay somewhere in this movie

[@daddydonovan6108]

@@lollikabosso.w.n7153 He has a cool voice

[@kerry14]

27:17 I just realized that I think the American dub line was "And I'd have said tails" instead of "And not have said tails". Since it's so easy to mistake for the other, this doesn't let them off the hook at all

[@Nicolas-we1ji]

I think the scene in which Getafix laughs insane has the German synchronization

[@felixleidig8307]

thats correct bro its our languages Getafix

[@braixy642]

A total of 3 times even. One was a laugh of Getafix the second is a line from the Optio and the final one are the credits. I have no clue why they kept it that way

[@jvgreendarmok]

Were there a few different people deciding on the character names, who didn't speak to each other? We have entirely new names for the regular supporting characters (Vitamix, Bombastix, Franksinatrix...), we have a few uses of the original English language names (Geriatrix, Prolix), at least one original *French* language name despite having no meaning in English (Bonemine). The Optio being addressed as "Optione" suggests that they thought "Optio" was not a genuine Ancient Roman military rank but a punny character name based on "Option"? And then there's the hapless legionary being named "Noodles", which doesn't fit with any naming convention, and might be the name that finally broke me.

[@otto4051]

getafix's laughs are from the German dub and the german voice actor of getafix was much better than from the American dub

[@Kritsini-gu2gv]

@@MadGaz85 A few of his laughs are also stolen from the British dub, as referenced in this video. In any case, I think we can all agree that every international actor who voiced Getafix was better than the actor from this dub.

[@AdriatheBwitch]

Well, the term "germans" or "germanic" did exist back then the Goth were a germanic ppl, as were the franks, the alamanies, the vandals and a lot of other tribes from behind the rhin and the danube, the term germanic was mostly to refer to a language and every tribe having this language were called germans, (the term back then had nothing to do with the one we use today thought) but what is true is that the word "french" didnt exist back then

[@nikolasarthouse2379]

Well this was hilarious :D.Great job!From these animated Asterix movies my favorite is Asterix and the twelve tasks.

[@Klonosz]

To be fair in hungary we call Getafix as Csodaturmix which directly translates to wonderturmix, but we at least still call the magic potion as it is but in hungarian (magic=varázs, potion=főzett) and not as wonder potion.

[@Sunaki1000]

6:10 to be fair, we call him Miraculix. Like the foot, Miraculi. Its kinda dump, but make sense. 9:22 Team ROCKet is blasting of again. They make the same stupid Puns as in Digimon. Im glad I grow up whit the European Versions. 35:24 I dont know either.

[@ShyGuyXXL]

I think the roman getting a high pitched voice when floating away was meant to be a joke about helium balloons and how helium changes your voice.

[@whisped8145]

I was rather surprised when I first saw English version of the movies. The names keep changing and are rather uninspired puns. For example, the German names were much less denigrating to the characters: Druid == "Miraculix" (after "Miracle"); Chief == "Majestix" (after "Majesty"); the Bard == "Troubadix" (after "Troubadour"); the dog was simply "Idefix" sticking with the French that was a readers' suggestion and choice made up from the words "idea" and "quick", since he's a rather bright and resourceful dog. Similarly the two Roman leaders in the first movie where "Gaius Bonus" and "Julius Pompilius" (because he's all pompous, and not a "Sourpuss" at all, as he was named in the English version). The German names all stayed consistent throughout. I doubt that it is solely because of the huge success of the Comics in Germany. I also had immense trouble to finding the English version of "Operation Menhir" (German: "Operation Hinkelstein" - German word for menhir), because it is simply called "The Big Fight", a very uninspired title devoid of any context of the movie. It is as if the English (or American) dubbers think their audience too dumb to understand or learn words. Or even just interpret what's happening on the screen, as was extremely obvious in "Asterix in Britain", where there were several lines added to comment the goings on on the screen that were simply not there. I do not believe that our children are any smarter to simply understand moving pictures without explanation, I rather think that the English (or American) "adults" think their own children are... very very idiotic. If you treat them like idiots, they will grow up as idiots.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

In czech version, names were mostly kept with French Versions, however the dubs varried. Originaly, some characters, like Chief was called his french name, but they with comics changed it to Majestatix, from Majestát (majesty), but some characters got their og names, like Getafix is called Panoramix. This is for some reason changed once in the Asterix conquers america movie, where czechs used british names

[@alexavfclineham7301]

Imagine my horror not knowing there was a us version until I bought the box set because my VHS player has been out of action for a few years, absolutely horrified that they ruined this absolute gem, just fucking why

[@nikolasarthouse2379]

What are your top 5 Asterix comics Jeffrey?

[@JeffreyKitsch]

Asterix in Britain, Asterix and the Soothsayer, Asterix and the Great Crossing, Asterix and Caesar's Gift, Asterix in Corsica.

[@nikolasarthouse2379]

Great choices!

[@LewisDavies2007]

Who produced this Dub? Havery Weistein?

[@Stinkek]

35:00 Rest in pasta

[@SuperCosmicMutantSquid]

Whoa whoa whoa....was that Tony Jay as the narrator?

[@susansilk-koenigsberg3368]

Yes.

[@Phoenixfirex]

*A R O C K E T ? !*

[@Miximals7]

Just to ask Jeffery; who is your favourite Asterix character out of all the series?

[@JeffreyKitsch]

When I was younger I'd pick Obelix, but now I'm older I find Vitalstatistix a lot funnier.

[@piligregory-mccorimck771]

I like Asterix because he is very smart.

[@worthybutter2004]

​@@piligregory-mccorimck771Me too! 😊

[@mikoajryniak2644]

Fun fact The Polish dub of this movie was probably heavily based on American Dub. Some jokes and lines are identical and there is also a narrator. I think that the same situation is with Asterix conquers America. And that's a shame, cause Polish Dubs of the previous movies wasn't based on the one from other countries and were pretty decent.

[@SkefnarmPictures]

Bruh, Tony Jay wasn't American

[@whisped8145]

7:15 Yeah... horrid addition. It is a children's movie, but a relatively dark one, and the silence and glumness is all part of the athmosphere. It works so well because there is NO narrator in the non-american versions. Even as a child, I didn't find it dull at all. Otherwise you'd have to find "In a Land before our Time" dull as well. There've been tons of cartoon-movies with quiet scenes, yet over the decades the Americans especially seem to have forgotten that kids are not braindead, and think they know oh so much better. An oedipal society indeed.

[@gothnerd887]

12:00 my theory is that American films can't say Goth because of the the Columbine High School shooting

[@pferreira1983]

The film was dubbed for 1990 so no that's not the reason.

[@DarkOverlord96]

The Latin Spanish dub of this movie is interesting because despite being a dub of the American version, the cast not only is the same as the previous Asterix movies that most people in South America are familiar with (including the narrator!) but they still kept the original French names... that said, this does have the side effect of Panoramix actually being called a druid... but he still makes a "Vitaminic Potion."

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Kinda wish the UK dub was available on DVD.

[@Animation_Noob-t5e]

15:50 his laugh is from the german dub 22:00 That scream was also taken from the german dub 24:19 Tarata german dub

[@primrosevale1995]

4:55 I'm just gonna ask, what's wrong with Obelix's name being pronounced "Ob-el-ix" instead of "O-buh-lix" in an American dub? That's how the word 'obelisk' is pronounced in American English. The only issue I see if they don't use for the entirety of the film.

[@Tobbe9975432]

Thank god for the Swedish dub names. Getafix = Mirakulix (Miracle) Vitalstatistix = Majestix (Majestic) Cacofonix = Troubadix (Troubadour)

[@erniemeyer1342]

Same in the german versions

[@minicle426]

So?

[@erniemeyer1342]

@@minicle426 the names are cool

[@estefaniaberrini9159]

Everytime I saw this video, I can't stop laughting, good job. Can you review the others Asterix movies including characters chronicles?

[@grugonk]

You should do a review Asterix Conquers America. It's absolutely horrendous. Craig Charles doing the English voice of Asterix is it's one saving grace.

[@JeffreyKitsch]

I actually like Asterix Conquers America.

[@grugonk]

Oh. Well, this is awkward 💦

[@pferreira1983]

That film in any language is terrible.

[@dan_cz-patmat]

@@pferreira1983 In Czech dub Obelix is from some reason voiced by Donkey from Shrek, and it's that bad as it sounds.

[@pferreira1983]

@@dan_cz-patmat Ouch. Speaking of which I hope one day we get HD remasters of the animated movies along with the UK dub of The Big Fight.

[@Animation_Noob-t5e]

15:50 That laugh is from the german dub. Also, Getafix' name in german is Miraculix ;) Me- ra (the a is pronounced the same way as the last a in ' Australia ' )- cu (u is pronounced as in "ridic-u-le") - ix :)

[@OleAlexanderBrunaes]

He is called Miraculix in Norwegian too.

[@JacobChacko3008]

I have both the british and american versions ....both of them rips....but the british one was converted from a vhs tape and looks a little bleached but ok

[@peterdavies2960]

Forgive my impertinence, but which one do you prefer? The British dub or the American dub?

[@JeffreyKitsch]

There are elements to the American dub that I enjoy, but overall I prefer the British version. I do criticize it in this video more than I would do now. I can understand why they'd want to cover up the film's many awkward silences with a narrator and they added a lot of puns which actually creates a more faithful tone to the original comics as they were always full in puns.

[@daddydonovan6108]

If i had to rank this film, my biggest issue is the plot of Panoramix, who i constantly feel sorry for, it feels like rereading Berserk again

[@KsenyaV1307]

11:21 No, dude you haven't failed. It was funny indeed.

[@AceW.Kermitcat]

35:00 But you said planes don’t exist yet!

[@peterdavies2960]

Should’ve been called BossanovUS since he’s a Roman...

[@dannyowens9230]

What's the song called at 11;03

[@bryantjauregui965]

Ok2begay by tomboy

[@dannyowens9230]

@@bryantjauregui965 Thank you

[@bryantjauregui965]

@@dannyowens9230 no prob bro

[@FlavioCrusiGrisari]

11:03

[@GabyGeorge1996]

Fun fact: Neil Ross voiced Franksinatrix

[@Kritsini-gu2gv]

No, it's Greg Burson who also voiced Bombastix and Sergeant Noodles.

[@whisped8145]

20:45 Hey, no dizzing the owl! I always loved the owl!

[@ЕвгенийСазонов-ш4ц]

Watch out, a poisonous snake!

[@Animation_Noob-t5e]

20:27 Fun Fact: In the german dub the roman sings a song about how he is a Legionnaire and is walking through the forest. Same when he shrinks XD You can watch the whole Movie in german and compare them to the english dubs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIq2aX-Pqq57jpI

[@peterdavies2960]

Alec Guinness might be good at voicing Prolix the Soothsayer in the British dub...

[@davidtinkle9634]

11:19 You couldn't play the whole original song? 27:53 if in Star Wars, Palpatine to Anakin: "Leave the Jedi before they drag you down with them!" 28:02- oh like that'll increase manliness 50 fold

[@peterdavies2960]

In the British version, they should have got Christopher Lee to voice Getafix...

[@Ngfilmz901]

Or even better christopher walk-in

[@ravinnox2640]

I just want to hang out with you and watch Asterix

[@JacobChacko3008]

Music score from this movie is nice...feels like france 50 BC

[@LePenguin]

This wouldn't be the last time an Asterix film would be dubbed with US voice actors

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

They dubbed another Asterix movie with US actors? Which one?

[@LePenguin]

@@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94 Asterix and the Vikings

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Oh yea, I wanna check that dub out more cuz it a lot better than Big Fight’s US dub. Shame the full English version of Asterix and the Vikings isn’t available in full on KZbin.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Also, I think they also dubbed Asterix and the mansion of the gods with American actors.

[@pferreira1983]

@@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94 Yeah but that's the ONLY English dub of the movie. There is no British dub.

[@mogensschmidt2498]

rossi greer also did the thing with two heads i think

[@casonfilmsinc318]

28:11 I got that joke!

[@clementbiaude8666]

as a French, it's a fucking pain in the ass.

[@vergil8833]

The goths are more like the scandinavians. The germans would be more southern germanic tribespeople like the suebi and many other, including the Franks.

[@dramitexdd8316]

what did he say !

[@OleAlexanderBrunaes]

Hva sa du?

[@prowlus]

This is like watching Ghost Stories Dub

[@infinityzer054]

2 dubs is more than enough

[@ardecosstuff8338]

Actually, Fish sticks isn't a pun itself, It's unhiegnix's NAME (It's still a pun but whatever)

[@JeffreyKitsch]

Fishstix

[@ardecosstuff8338]

@@JeffreyKitsch Yeah lol

[@TheGerkuman]

Rock-ettes.

[@Aion0154]

Nejlepší je český dabing. The Czech dubbing is the best.

[@anezkageislerova2179]

stanislav fišer and pavel trávníček being my favourite asterix

[@pferreira1983]

They really need to release the English dub on DVD. Bill Oddie is perfect as Asterix and everyone else does a great job. The American dub is just terrible.

[@WeirdWonderful]

Is that....Danny Man ?

[@susansilk-koenigsberg3368]

Yes.

[@Kritsini-gu2gv]

TheApachacha He is also the Optio.

[@whisped8145]

35:26 No way... the american dub ends with the German credits? XD I can't stop laughing... Did they even try!?

[@RayManiac90]

I like the Obelix and Asterix voice actors here, the other voice actors are ok but Panoramix one is not that good, what a terrible way to adapt one of the greatest European comic of all time. I mean why adding a freaking narrator?

[@mogensschmidt2498]

ove sprogø will always be my asterix

[@mariablanco8678]

Huh, so that's the movie the three of us saw when we were kids.....yikes

[@avaranabraham8507]

The fonz voiced asterix

[@Luka1180]

Romans were not Italians. They were Romans. Plain and simple. They spoke Latin and Greek, NOT Italian. The accent is way overdone.

[@mrtimo3822]

Don't worry this guy is not very smart

[@FlavioCrusiGrisari]

@@mrtimo3822 this is where you have to watch the Italian dubs of the asterix films, all the Romans speak in the local Modern Roman dialect, despite that, it's still funny to watch

[@AlexandruCatrina-bk6jg]

31:35 Now abelix Before obelix

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

The British Dub was phenomenal. Brian Blessed, Bill Oddie, Bernard Bresslaw, Ron Moody. To name but a few. Brilliant. The American dub is awful. The jokes fall flat. The humour is dumbed down and the damned awful, patronising narration. My VHS of the British dub has almost worn thin and I needed to replace it. How disappointed I was to find that the U.K. dub is not available on DVD.

[@otto4051]

pines

[@aleksandrmiddleton9831]

Why did you started to slap yourself at 9:43

[@JeffreyKitsch]

because to stop myself ranting about the "rock-et" pun.

[@The_RedVIII]

Here is the thing... the German version is the best. XD

[@minicle426]

If your German. :P

[@erniemeyer1342]

15:50 haaa this is the german dub!!

[@bryantjauregui965]

30:53 ha ha ha