Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese DVD's Subtitles

By Rachel Deason, January 13, 2017

1 0

One internet user has used the subtitles from an old pirated Chinese copy of Star Wars: Episode III to redub the film. And it's hilarious.

The poorly-translated subtitles of the pirated copy first gained popularity back in 2005 when an expat living in Shanghai purchased a bootleg copy of the DVD for RMB7 and uploaded screenshots from the film to his blog. 

The blog post went viral and even sparked the “Do Not Want” meme, which is based on a misunderstanding of Darth Vader’s line “NOOO.”

Do Not Want

It’s unclear how the subtitles came to be so wrong, right down to the title of the films. Revenge of the Sith, which appears very clearly on the screen during the opening credits, has been translated to “Backstroke of the West.” 

Backstroke of the west

READ MORE: These Chinese Star Wars Comics are Wonderfully Bizarre

In any case, the redubbing seems to have been executed with some care. The voice actors manage to speak complete gibberish while sounding remarkably similar to original actors Hayden Christiansen, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson et al.

Here are just some of the highlights:

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Hilarious: Someone Redubbed Star Wars Using Pirated Chinese Copy's Subtitles

Watch the four-part redub videos below (VPN off):

Perhaps Rogue One will eventually get the same treatment, although it’s unlikely given its poor performance thus far in the Chinese box office.

You can watch the redubbed film in its entirety on Youtube here (VPN required).

more news

Jing Retains One Michelin Star and Huang Ting Keeps Michelin Selected Status

Jing at The Peninsula Beijing Retains One Michelin Star and Huang Ting Retains Michelin Selected Restaurant Status for 2024.

No More Dreaded Star On China’s Travel Code App

The star will no longer appear on users' apps, as of today, June 29.

T’ang Court at The Langham Awarded One Michelin Star

T’ang Court at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi is awarded One star in 'Michelin Guide Shanghai 2022'.

China's Copyright Wars: What's Mine is not Yours

China copyright laws reach a new age with Douyin's video platform where plagiarism can cost content creators quite a bit of money.

Star Wars' John Boyega Cut from Chinese Version of Jo Malone Ad

The actor was not given a headsup that the ad he directed and starred in would be recast despite being the global Jo Malone ambassador.

An Epic Duet: Jack Ma and Chinese Pop Star Faye Wong

Watch Jack Ma belt out a rendition of an old classic, 'If the Cloud Knows'.

Stephon Marbury, From NBA All-Star to Chinese Basketball Legend

Stephon Marbury has lived his best life in China, moving to the Middle Kingdom in 2010 to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

0 User Comments

In Case You Missed It…

We're on WeChat!

Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at thatsonline for events, guides, giveaways and much more!

7 Days in China With thatsmags.com

Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday

Download previous issues

Never miss an issue of That's Magazines!

Visit the archives