The choice of for the titular character was inspired. An actor known for dubbing the likes of Keanu Reeves, Corvo brings to life the weary, self-deprecating melancholia of the cursed WWI ace. His performance perfectly captures the gruff charm of a Humphrey Bogart archetype, a crucial aspect of the character's origin.
The most famous line in the movie provides an excellent case study in how the Italian dub heightens the political weight of the narrative.
The Italian dub is widely considered one of the best localizations of any Ghibli film. Fans in Italy often prefer it to the original Japanese, which is rare for Ghibli’s famously director-approved dubs. In 2004, when Porco Rosso was released on Italian DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment , the dub was remastered and included as the primary audio track.
While the Buena Vista dub was planned in 2003, it never saw the light of day. Fans had to wait until November 2010, when released a completely new Italian dub according to Wikipedia . porco rosso italian dub
For nearly two decades, Italian fans could only watch the film in its original Japanese or through unofficial means. A first attempt to dub the film was made in 1997 by Buena Vista, featuring the talents of director Gualtiero Cannarsi, but this version was shelved and remained unreleased. It wasn't until 2010 that the distributor Lucky Red finally brought the film to Italian cinemas, not just with a new dub, but with the full cooperation and approval of Studio Ghibli itself.
Unlike most Studio Ghibli films, Porco Rosso has the unique distinction of having two completely different Italian dubs. This occurred due to shifting distribution rights in Italy over a span of two decades. The 1997 Version (The "Lost" Buena Vista Dub)
and released in 2010, captures the distinct regional energy of the Adriatic setting. Fans often prefer this version because the dialogue flows more naturally within the 1930s Mediterranean backdrop than the Japanese or English counterparts. Draft Story: The Ghost of the Adriatic The engine of the Savoia S.21 The choice of for the titular character was inspired
Despite celebrating Italian scenery and spirit, the film’s journey to Italian screens was surprisingly long. Originally released in Japan in 1992, Porco Rosso did not get a proper theatrical release in Italy until .
Italian critics and audiences have consistently rated the Italian dub as superior to the Japanese original in terms of atmospheric authenticity. In a 2002 poll by Cineforum magazine, 78% of Italian Ghibli fans preferred the Italian dub, citing that “the actors sound like they inhabit that sea and those skies.” The dub is also notable for preserving the film’s anti-fascist undertones: Porco’s refusal to join the Italian air force is rendered in blunt, morally charged Italian (“Preferisco essere un maiale che un fascista”), which carries a weight absent in more neutral translations.
The Italian dub is currently available on Netflix and has been broadcast on channels like Rai Gulp and Rai 2. Primary Italian Cast The most famous line in the movie provides
The 1992 Italian dub is available on:
The success of the 2010 Italian dub relies heavily on its casting. The voice actors chosen for the main roles managed to capture the weary, cynical, yet deeply romantic tone of Miyazaki’s script.
The voice of the cynical, romantic, and burdened-by-guilt protagonist is entrusted to Massimo Corvo. Corvo gives Porco a unique tone: gruff and world-weary, yet capable of conveying a deep, hidden melancholy and a touch of tenderness. His voice perfectly suits a middle-aged man who has seen too much and has chosen to hide his humanity behind a pig's face.