THE DUBBED VERSIONS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
Hungarian actors who lend their voices to the detective in adaptations
Author: SherlockExtra and Revati - Translator: Revati
JÓZSEF ROMHÁNYI AND THE HUNGARIAN DUBBING
In Hungary most of the movies and television series are dubbed. The main reason for that is that in the country there are still many people whose language skills do not reach a level required for watching programs without dubbing. Subtitles are not so popular, because it is hard to follow the events and read the text on the screen at the same time. Earlier being a dubbing actor was an acclaimed profession and real artists dubbed films and they made an exceptional job. They really acted, not just read their texts. In the 70’s the United States bought the Hungarian dubbed version of the cartoon series The Flintstones, though Americans did not understand the words, but they could feel what an amazing job the translator had done. Who was no one else but the famous Hungarian writer, poet and translator, József Romhányi, who brilliantly turned the lines of the characters into rhymes (he wrote the texts of other Hungarian cartoons too).
Nowadays dubbing is mostly made in a hurry and its quality is poor (but of course there are fantastic exceptions among them). Studios spare much less time for the process and dubbing actors also earn less. The situation is worsened by the fact that in many cases the translation of the series and films is loose and incorrect. You cannot have an excellent result from something weak.
LÁSZLÓ TAHI TÓTH
Mr. Tahi Tóth is one of the most popular dubbing actors in Hungary, he gives his voice to lots of characters. He is a master of emotions. He was brilliant as the voice of Jeremy Brett, he even could add something more to the fantastic acting. He can also be heard as the supersleuth on the audiobook „The extraordinary cases of Sherlock Holmes 2.” And he was the member of the cast of a Sherlock radioplay.
LÁSZLÓ ÚJRÉTI
The actor dubbed Holmes in adaptations with Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Price and Edward Woodward. His voice is pleasant, happy and fits Sherlock very well. It is an interesting fact that he was the voice of Inspector Lestrade (Colin Jeavons) in the Granada series. Though Hungarians identify his voice with Terence Hill, because it is his most popular dubbing performance.
You can hear László Tahi Tóth, the Hungarian voice of Jeremy Brett,
and László Újréti, who was Lestrade's voice.
Video by: SherlockExtra
the sherlockian-sherlock.com webmaster
(Youtube nick: Holmes Sherlock)
KORNÉL SIMON
He is the Hungarian voice of Benedict Cumberbatch. At first he needed some time to get the hang of it, but he absolutely measured up to the task and did a great job. He is especially splendid during parts when Sherlock is nervous and yells furiously and when he hisses sarcastically. We have to note that the Hungarian translation of the series was loose with some failures, and it is by no means the fault of the dubbing actor. Credits to Mr. Simon for knowing that an actor can be glorious in a purple shirt.
ZOLTÁN RAJKAI
The Elementary’s Holmes is captivated by investigation, but he is a very kind man too. The dubbed voice of Jonny Lee Miller is also a pleasant one. Mr. Rajkai did an impressive job. Interestingly he voiced Andrew Scott’s Moriarty in the BBC Sherlock series.
ANDREW SCOTT AND ZOLTÁN RAJKAI
ERNŐ FEKETE
He dubbed Robert Downey Jr. fantastically. He is equally good when Holmes is bored and when there is some volubility is needed. The performance of Mr. Fekete is easy to describe with only one word: superb
Ernő Fekete also read several Holmes stories for audiobooks.
SÁNDOR ROSTA AND PÉTER HAÁS VANDER
They lent their voices to the fantastic, legendary Basil Rathbone, who has three stars in Hollywood. The performances are great, they level with the original acting. Both actors do lots of dubbing, they are very popular in Hungary.
OSZKÁR GÁTI
The actor was the voice of Mr. Livanov’s Holmes in the Russian series ’Sherlock Holmes and dr. Watson’. Vasily Livanov is a fascinating artist, and Mr. Gáti is his calibre. He regularly dubs Jean-Paul Belmondo and Sylvester Stallone.
ZSIGMOND FÜLÖP
He dubbed Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine 'Without a Clue', and Christopher Lee 'Sherlock Holmes: The Golden Years') – the result was very pleasureable.
JÓZSEF LÁNG
Everyone knows in Hungary that the actor’s most famous work was The Saint – he gave his voice to Roger Moore. No wonder that he was asked to dub Mr. Moore’s Holmes in the movie ’Sherlock Holmes in New York’. His performance was professional, as always.
SÁNDOR ROSTA
Richard Roxburgh was a wonderful Holmes, so his Hungarian voice had to be perfect too. Sándor Rosta had been chosen for the task, who already showed his talent by being the voice of Basil Rathbone's detective.
ISTVÁN HIRTLING
Robert Stephens was a very instinctive sleuth without any overacting in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Mr. Hirtling’s voice in the Hungarian version had the same characteristics: it was pleasant and simple.
IMRE JÓZSA
Peter Cushing was much shorter than the description given by Doyle, yet he had the chance to play Sherlock because he was a stunning actor. As his dubbed voice a gifted artist was needed, who is able to echo the talent of the original. Imre Józsa, who is well-known as the voice of Nicolas Cage, helped a lot to make the detective of Cushing loveable.
TAMÁS SZÉLES
Mr. Széles has a marvelous manly voice. Most people are familiar with his voice because he dubs Gordon Ramsay. He lent his voice to the detective played by Rupert Everett. He also narrated the dubbed version of the documentary The Man who Murdered Sherlock Holmes.
ZOLTÁN RÁTÓTI
He dubbed Nicol Williamson in ’The Seven Percent Solution’. His voice is warm and enjoyable.
OTTÓ SZOKOLAY
He gave his voice to the legendary Charlton Heston in ’The Crucifer of Blood’. The movie was loosely based on the adventure of The Sign of Four, with an alternated ending. Heston’s Sherlock is aged but outstanding, and Mr. Szokolay’s performance is also stunning.
ATTILA EPRES AND ZOLTÁN CSANKÓ
They both dubbed the Holmes of Canadian actor Matt Frewer. When we classify their performance we have to keep in mind that sometimes the translation was very poor and Mr. Frewer overacted several times. However the Hungarian actors showed their amazing abilities in lots of movies, and they have done a great job as Holmes too.
ÁKOS KŐSZEGI
He voiced the detective in the cartoon ’Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes’. Although the sleuth has a minor role, we have no reason to complain about the Hungarian version.
We have to mention that Ákos Kőszegi has an especially pleasant voice. He really shows his talent as the Hungarian voice of Detective Murdoch.
We are very proud of the Hungarian dubbing actors.
