Porco Rosso Italian Dub
The Italian dub of Porco Rosso is widely considered one of the most authentic ways to experience the film, as the story is set in 1930s Italy and features a protagonist named Marco Pagot—a tribute to Italian animation pioneers. Dubbing History & Distribution
Theatrical Release: The film officially premiered in Italian theaters on November 12, 2010, distributed by Lucky Red.
Production Studio: The dubbing was handled by Technicolor SPA.
Unreleased 1997 Version: An earlier Italian dub was planned for home video release in 1997 but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The 2010 version retained several voice actors from this unreleased project.
Platforms: The Italian dub is currently available on Netflix and has been broadcast on channels like Rai Gulp and Rai 2. Primary Italian Cast
The 2010 dub features a cast of prominent Italian voice actors: Italian Voice Actor Notable Other Roles Marco Pagot / Porco Rosso Massimo Corvo
Italian voice of Stallone, Vin Diesel, and Morpheus (The Matrix) Donald Curtis Fabrizio Pucci Italian voice of Brendan Fraser and Hugh Jackman Fio Piccolo Joy Saltarelli Voice of Jennifer Lawrence in various Italian dubs Madame Gina Roberta Pellini Italian voice of Cate Blanchett and Charlize Theron Mr. Piccolo Armando Bandini Veteran Italian actor and dubber Mamma Aiuto Boss Paolo Buglioni Italian voice of Nick Nolte and Samuel L. Jackson Why Porco Rosso English dub elaborates beyond original?
The Italian dub, recorded at Technicolor SPA and released in 2010, features some of Italy’s most renowned voice actors who bring a local authenticity to the film's Mediterranean setting. Italian Voice Actor Role Significance Marco Pagot / Porco Rosso Massimo Corvo
Known for his deep, gravelly voice, Corvo captures Marco's world-weary cynicism and hidden nobility. Madame Gina Roberta Pellini
Pellini provides the elegant, melancholic tone essential for the "Lady of the Adriatic". Fio Piccolo Joy Saltarelli
Brings the high-energy, youthful determination required for the film's brilliant young engineer. Donald Curtis Fabrizio Pucci
Captures the over-the-top, bombastic nature of the American rival pilot. Mr. Piccolo Armando Bandini
A veteran actor who voices the spirited patriarch of the Piccolo family. Mamma Aiuto Boss Paolo Buglioni
Delivers the perfect balance of comedic menace for the leader of the sky pirates. Why the Italian Dub is Unique
Viewing Porco Rosso in Italian creates a seamless immersion that other languages can't match. Because the story is set in the Adriatic Sea and features Italian cities like Milan and Venice, hearing the characters speak the local language feels naturally correct.
Finally got around to watching Porco Rosso, and wow! : r/ghibli
The Italian dub of Porco Rosso is widely considered one of the most natural ways to experience the film, as it is set in Italy's Adriatic coast
and features primarily Italian characters. The most recognized version was released by , featuring a seasoned cast of Italian voice actors. The Dubbing Database Key Cast Members
The Italian version is noted for its high-quality performances that capture the film's "romance language" atmosphere: Marco Pagot Porco Rosso : Voiced by Massimo Corvo
, a prolific Italian voice actor known for his deep, gravelly tone. Madame Gina : Voiced by Roberta Pellini
, bringing a sophisticated and melancholic air to the Adriatic's "singer of the hotel". Fio Piccolo : Voiced by Joy Saltarelli porco rosso italian dub
, capturing the spunky and intelligent energy of the young engineer. Donald Curtis : Voiced by Fabrizio Pucci
, delivering the boastful, Hollywood-hopeful American rival. Mr. Piccolo : Voiced by Armando Bandini The Dubbing Database Why Watch the Italian Dub? Linguistic Authenticity
: Because the story is deeply rooted in Italian culture—referencing the Pagot brothers
(pioneers of Italian animation) and real Italian air force aces like Francesco Baracca
—the Italian language adds a layer of immersion that the Japanese original or English dubs cannot replicate. Local Cultural Nuance
: Many fans feel the dialogue feels "right" in Italian, especially since the film's backdrop involves the rise of fascism in Italy and the specific geography of the Adriatic. Adaptation Quality
: While there have been debates in the Italian anime community regarding certain technical translations (notably by adaptor Gualtiero Cannarsi), the performances themselves are highly praised by viewers for their emotional depth. Interesting Fact The name of the pirate gang, Mamma Aiuto
, is Italian for "Mother, help!". This is just one of many small linguistic details that land more naturally when hearing the characters speak Italian. real-life Italian history that inspired the locations and planes in the film? Favorite audio for Porco Rosso? (Sub, Dub, or Italian Dub)
Experience the ultimate immersion in Hayao Miyazaki’s 1992 classic, Porco Rosso
, by watching it in the language of its setting—Italian. While the film was originally produced in Japanese, its deep roots in the Adriatic coast, Milan, and Italian aviation history make the Italian dub feel like a natural fit for the story. Why You Should Watch the Italian Dub
Cultural Authenticity: Set in post-WWI Italy, the film features iconic locations like the Adriatic Sea and Milan. Hearing the characters speak Italian brings an unmatched sense of realism to their interactions and the regional atmosphere.
Historical Accuracy: The story leans heavily into Italian aviation and the socio-political climate of the 1920s. The Italian language track enhances the "soul" of the region that Miyazaki captured so lovingly in his art. Dual Dubbing History:
Unreleased 1997 Dub: An early Italian dub was planned for home video in 1997 but was unfortunately cancelled for unknown reasons.
2010 Modern Dub: A new version was officially released on November 12, 2010, which is currently available on services like Netflix and has been aired on Italian channels like Rai 2 and Rai Gulp. Where to Watch
The modern Italian dub, produced by Technicolor SPA, is widely accessible:
Netflix: Many regions include the Italian audio track as part of their Ghibli collection.
Home Video: Look for Italian Blu-ray or DVD imports if you want the highest quality audio for your collection.
"A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig" hits differently when it's "Un maiale che non vola è solo un maiale." 🐷✈️
For a look at the different ways this classic has been brought to life across various languages:
The Ultimate Guide to the Porco Rosso Italian Dub Watching Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso (1992) is a unique experience, but seeing it with the Italian dub adds an unparalleled layer of authenticity. Set against the backdrop of 1920s Fascist Italy and the Adriatic Sea, the film’s atmosphere thrives when the characters speak their native tongue. The Italian dub of Porco Rosso is widely
For fans of Hayao Miyazaki, the Italian version isn't just a translation; it’s a cultural homecoming for a story deeply rooted in Italian aviation history and anti-fascist sentiment. Why the Italian Dub is the "Right" Way to Watch
Many fans and critics argue that the Italian dub is the most immersive way to experience the film. Because the movie is set in the Adriatic and features specifically Italian landmarks, signage, and historical references, the language fits the visual world perfectly.
Linguistic Authenticity: Most posters, newspapers, and flyers in the background are written in Italian.
Historical Context: The film pays homage to real-world Italian aviation pioneers like the Pagot brothers (Nino, Marco, and Gi).
Cultural Resonances: Themes of Italian "romanticism" and the specific slang of the 1920s era are often better captured in the Italian script than in English localisations. The Italian Voice Cast
The Italian dub features some of the country’s most respected voice actors, bringing a "hardboiled" yet whimsical energy to the characters.
Title: The Mediterranean Soul: An Analysis of the Italian Dubbing of Porco Rosso
Abstract While Hayao Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso (Kurenai no Buta) is universally celebrated as a pacifist fable and a love letter to early aviation, its Italian dub occupies a unique position within the landscape of anime localization. Unlike standard translations that seek to bridge a cultural gap, the Italian version of Porco Rosso serves as a cultural homecoming. This paper explores the linguistic, atmospheric, and casting choices of the Italian adaptation, arguing that the dub enhances the film's diegetic realism and cements its status as a distinct piece of Italian cultural heritage, arguably rivaling the original Japanese version in thematic resonance.
1. Introduction: The Adriatic Setting and Linguistic Ownership Set against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea during the rise of Fascism, Porco Rosso is arguably Studio Ghibli’s most "Western" film. The protagonist, Marco Pagot, is an Italian World War I fighter pilot transformed into a pig. The scenery—ranging from the pristine waters of the Adriatic to the romanticized streets of Milan—is inherently Italian. Consequently, the Italian dub does not feel like a foreign import; rather, it feels like a restoration of the film's true identity.
In Japanese cinema, the "seiyuu" (voice actor) culture often emphasizes vocal distinctiveness and stylized delivery. However, for a film grounded in the gritty realism of the interwar period and the specific swagger of Italian aviators, the Italian vocal performances offer a diegetic legitimacy that the Japanese original, by virtue of its language, cannot fully replicate. This paper examines how the Italian dub utilizes casting, dialect, and tone to elevate the film from an animated fantasy to a historical drama.
2. Casting and Characterization: The Archetype of the Italian Male The success of the Italian dub is anchored in the casting of the protagonist, Marco Pagot, voiced by the late Paolo Lombardi. In the original Japanese version, Shūichirō Moriyama portrays Porco with a gruff, weary, yet whimsical tone befitting a Miyazaki "everyman." Lombardi, however, leans into the archetype of the uomo di un'altra epoca—a man of another time.
Lombardi’s vocal texture is characterized by a deep, resonant timbre and a world-weary cynicism that evokes the spirit of classic Italian "poliziotteschi" (police action films) or the dubbed voices of Hollywood tough guys like Clint Eastwood. This performance choice strips away some of the anime-esque whimsy, grounding Porco’s existential crisis in a harsher, more masculine reality. When Porco delivers his famous anti-fascist line, "I’d rather be a pig than a fascist" (Preferisco essere un maiale che un fascista), Lombardi delivers it not as a witty retort, but as a solemn, defiant moral stance. This gravity aligns perfectly with the film's political undertones, resonating deeply with an Italian audience familiar with the historical weight of that sentiment.
3. Fio Piccolo: Dialect and Youthful Vitality A pivotal element of the film is the character Fio Piccolo, the young engineer who rebuilds Porco’s plane. In the Japanese version, she is voiced by Akemi Okamura with a standard, energetic "anime girl" cadence. The Italian dub, however, makes a brilliant directorial decision by casting a voice actress (Claudia Pittelli in the original dub) who employs a slight, distinguishable regional inflection.
This choice anchors Fio in a specific geography. She does not sound like a generic Tokyo teenager; she sounds like a spirited girl from the Romagna or Veneto regions. Her vocal performance carries the hurried, staccato rhythm of Northern Italian speech, lending authenticity to her character as a working-class mechanic. This dialectal nuance strengthens the contrast between Fio’s youthful, grounded optimism and Porco’s weary, cosmopolitan cynicism.
4. The Function of Localization in Cultural Satire The film features American antagonist Donald Curtis, a caricature of Hollywood bravado. The Italian dub utilizes the tradition of "doppiaggio" (dubbing) to lampoon American stereotypes. Curtis is voiced with an exaggerated, slick confidence that contrasts sharply with the earthy tones of the Italian cast.
Furthermore, the localization of terminology regarding aviation and mechanics adds a layer of technical realism. Italian aviation terminology is rich and historic, given Italy's pioneering role in early flight. When Porco and Fio discuss the plane’s hydraulics or the engine's specifications, the Italian terminology flows with a technical precision that feels native to the setting. The dialogue avoids the stilted "translation-ese" often found in anime dubs, instead opting for naturalistic colloquialisms that Italian aviators of the 1920s might actually employ.
5. The Music of the Language Miyazaki’s films are renowned for their "Ma"—the use of silence and space. The Italian dub respects this pacing but fills it with a specific atmosphere. The background chatter of the hotel Adriano, the radio broadcasts, and the interactions among the pirate pilots create a sonic landscape that feels authentically Mediterranean. The "Mamma Aiuto
Here’s some interesting content regarding the Italian dub of Porco Rosso (Italian title: Porco Rosso - Il valore di un sogno, or simply Porco Rosso).
Unlike many anime dubs, the Italian version of Porco Rosso is not just a translation—it’s widely considered by fans and critics alike as the definitive version, even superior to the original Japanese in terms of cultural authenticity. Here’s why:
6. Comparison with Other Dubs
- Japanese original: Shūichirō Moriyama as Porco is excellent—rough, boisterous, like a retired samurai turned pilot.
- English dub: Michael Keaton is fine but too snarky and American. It loses the Mediterranean soul.
- Italian dub: Kalamera’s Porco is world-weary, romantic, and deeply Italian—imagine Marcello Mastroianni as a flying pig.
Comparing the Italian Dub to the Famous English Dub
Many fans know the English dub (featuring Michael Keaton as Porco, Susan Egan as Gina, and Cary Elwes as Curtis). It is excellent. Keaton brings a deadpan, American cynicism to the role. Japanese original : Shūichirō Moriyama as Porco is
However, the Italian dub offers a different character:
- Michael Keaton (English): Sounds like a tired, sarcastic businessman.
- Michele Kalamera (Italian): Sounds like a melancholic poet who happens to know how to operate a machine gun.
The English dub is funnier. The Italian dub is sadder and more romantic. For a film that is fundamentally about survivor’s guilt, the Italian version wins.
Porco Rosso Italian Dub: A Celebrated Localization
The Italian dub of Porco Rosso (titled Porco Rosso — Il grande segreto dell’Adriatico in some Italian releases) holds a special place in the film’s history. Unlike many Studio Ghibli dubs produced years after the original Japanese release, the Italian version was created early — in 1992, the same year as the film’s Japanese premiere. This was due to the strong cultural and geographical ties between Italy and the story’s setting: the Adriatic Sea between Italy and the Balkans in the late 1920s.
Where to Find It
The Italian dub is available on the Italian Blu-ray/DVD releases (often with English subtitles) and on Italian streaming platforms like Netflix Italy (with VPN) or RaiPlay. Some fan rips also exist online with English subs.
Final interesting nugget: In Italy, Porco Rosso is often shown in schools to teach about anti-fascism, nostalgia, and the interwar period—thanks largely to the power of its Italian dub.
Would you like a scene-by-scene comparison of a famous line (e.g., the “human pigs” speech) across Japanese, English, and Italian?
Porco Rosso Italian dub is widely considered one of the most authentic ways to experience the film, as the story is deeply rooted in Italian culture, history, and geography. The official Italian version, recorded at Technicolor SPA
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
coughed, a rhythmic metallic hack that vibrated through Marco’s trotters. Below, the Adriatic was a sheet of hammered sapphire, punctuated by the white wakes of pirate skiffs.
to the world—pushed his goggles up. The Italian sun was different today; it felt heavy, like the thick red wine Gina served at the Hotel Adriano. He was heading for a secluded cove near Fiume, a place where the shadows of the cliffs supposedly hid a "ghost" plane that only appeared when the wind blew from the north.
"A ghost?" he grunted into the wind. "Probably just another American trying to sell spark plugs."
He banked left, the crimson wings catching the light. As he descended, a silhouette emerged from the mist—a battered Macchi M.5, shimmering like a heat mirage. It bore the markings of his old squadron from the Great War. No pilot was visible, yet the plane mirrored his every move with impossible grace.
For a moment, the curse felt light. The snout, the ears—they didn't matter. In the reflection of his cockpit glass, just for the blink of an eye, he didn't see a pig. He saw a young man with a cocky grin and a clean shave.
The ghost plane pulled into a steep climb, vanishing into a cloud bank shaped like a giant fist. Marco followed, but as he punched through the mist, there was only the empty sky and the distant, haunting melody of a mandolin carrying over the water. He leveled out, adjusted his scarf, and headed toward Gina’s.
"Better a pig than a ghost," he muttered, though he didn't turn back. different setting for the story, or perhaps add a specific character like Fio or Curtis
Flying the Adriatic: Why the Italian Dub is the Ultimate Way to Experience Porco Rosso If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, you already know that Porco Rosso
(1992) is Hayao Miyazaki’s most unique "grown-up" adventure. It’s a love letter to early aviation, the Mediterranean, and the complicated beauty of 1930s Italy. But if you haven't watched it with the Italian dub
, you’re missing the most authentic version of Marco Pagot’s story. The Mystery of the "Lost" Dub The history of Porco Rosso
in Italy is as legendary as the Crimson Pig himself. There is a fascinating "lost" dub that was originally intended for a 1997 home video release but was canceled for unknown reasons. This version remains a holy grail for collectors.
Later, a new Italian dub was produced, which fortunately retained many of the original voice actors. Today, fans often hunt for the most "faithful" version to match the film's Italian setting. Why Italian Just
While Michael Keaton delivers a fantastic performance in the English Disney dub, there is something irreplaceable about hearing the Adriatic pirates and Marco himself speaking the language of the land they inhabit.