Here’s a write-up on the Italian dub of Porco Rosso (1992), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
First, we must remember that Porco Rosso is set almost entirely in Italy. Specifically, the Adriatic Sea during the interwar period (late 1920s). The locations—the hidden coves of Dalmatia, the lagoon of Venice, the island of Burano—are not backdrops; they are characters.
Miyazaki famously traveled to Italy to research the film. He was obsessed with the seaplanes, the fascist political climate, and the melancholy of former WWI pilots. Because the source material is so intrinsically Italian, the Italian dub doesn’t feel like a translation; it feels like a homecoming. When an Italian voice actor utters the name "Marco Pagot" (Porco’s real name), it carries a weight that Japanese syllables simply cannot reproduce.
The Italian dub was produced by Gruppo Trenta (later acquired by CVD) under the direction of Renato Cecchetto, who also voiced the lead character — Porco Rosso — with legendary warmth and gruff charm. Cecchetto’s performance is particularly praised for capturing the weary, romantic cynicism of the cursed ace pilot. Over time, his voice has become the definitive Italian Porco for generations of fans.
Other notable voice actors in the Italian dub include:
The translation was handled with care, preserving Italian place names, local expressions, and historical references, avoiding the "generic foreign accent" trap common in some English dubs of the era.
The cornerstone of the Porco Rosso Italian dub is the late Michele Kalamera. For those unfamiliar with Italian voice acting, Kalamera is a legend—best known internationally as the voice of Clint Eastwood (as the Man with No Name) and, tragically, the late Michael Gambon’s Albus Dumbledore.
Kalamera did not "voice" Porco; he inhabited him. The character design by Miyazaki is cool and cynical, but Kalamera added a layer of weary, aristocratic resignation that is distinctly Italian.
Kalamera passed away in 2023, and upon his death, Italian social media was flooded with tributes to his Porco Rosso. Many Italians confessed they cannot separate Kalamera’s voice from the image of the Savoia S.21 seaplane.
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?
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: porco rosso italian dub
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 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
, 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 Here’s a write-up on the Italian dub of
(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)
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.
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.
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 The Adriatic Setting: A Love Letter to Italy
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.
The Italian dub of Porco Rosso is often considered the "definitive" way to experience the film due to its setting in interwar Italy and the Adriatic. Key Report Details
The "Lost" Dub (1997): An original Italian dub was recorded for a 1997 home video release but was cancelled for unknown reasons.
Official Release: The film eventually received a full Italian dub that reused many of the voice actors from the unreleased version.
Cultural Fit: Fans and critics note that the Italian dialogue feels more natural than the original Japanese or English versions because of the film's deep roots in Italian geography (Venice, Milan, Trieste) and aviation history.
Theatrical Re-release: The film is scheduled to return to Italian theaters on April 25, 2026. Notable Italian Voice Cast
The Italian dub features a cast that captures the "mature yet silly" tone of Miyazaki's work: Porco Rosso / Marco Pagot: Massimo Corvo (modern version) Donald Curtis: Fabrizio Pucci Fio Piccolo: Letizia Scifoni Madame Gina: Roberta Greganti Boss Mamma Aiuto: Paolo Buglioni Ferrarin: Massimo De Ambrosis Why Fans Choose the Italian Dub
Authenticity: The film features real Italian aircraft models (Macchi, Savoia Marchetti) and local landmarks that "catch the soul" of the region in a way that resonates deeply with Italian speakers.
The Iconic Line: The famous quote "Un maiale che non vola è solo un maiale" ("A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig") is often cited as carrying more weight in its native-setting language.
Streaming Availability: The Italian dub is widely available on Netflix in many regions, including Italy and parts of Europe.
One major issue with the English dub is the softening of political terminology. The Italian dub has no such filter. When the fascist agents confront Porco, they use historically accurate, chillingly cheerful Fascist rhetoric. The Italian script highlights the absurdity of totalitarianism placing a bounty on a pig.
Furthermore, the famous "Picnic of Death" dogfight sequence is elevated by the Italian voice actors yelling authentic-sounding aerial insults. You don’t just watch the scene; you feel like you are in a 1930s hangar.