Celentano does not sound like a cartoon character. He does not do a "voice." He speaks as Adriano Celentano. His natural timbre is gravelly, weary, and laced with a sardonic, knowing smirk. When Porco Rosso declares, "Meglio essere un porco che un fascista" ("Better to be a pig than a fascist"), you feel the weight of a man who has seen the worst of humanity.
Celentano’s performance strips Porco of any remaining adolescent idealism. In the Japanese version, Porco is weary. In the English version (Michael Keaton), Porco is witty and cynical. In the Italian version, Porco is resigned. He is a tired old wolf hiding in a pig's body, and Celentano’s iconic milano accent gives him the feel of a taxi driver who has seen it all.
A great lead needs great support. The Italian dub of Porco Rosso features a meticulously selected ensemble that avoids the "cartoonish" pitfalls of many 90s dubs.
Fio Piccolo (Voiced by Ilaria Stagni): Fio is the energetic 17-year-old mechanic who saves Porco’s plane. In the Japanese version, she is cute. In the Italian version, she is fiercely pragmatic. Stagni gives Fio a Roman accent that implies street-smart intelligence. When she yells at Porco to fix his engine, she sounds like a determined nonna rather than a damsel.
Madame Gina (Voiced by Melina Martello): This is the secret weapon. Gina sings "Le Temps des Cerises" (a revolutionary French song) and runs a hidden garden hotel. Melina Martello’s voice is husky, mature, and deeply sad. The Italian script leans heavily into the Sofferenza (suffering) of Gina—a woman who has lost three pilots to the sky. Martello’s delivery of the line "Vai, stupido, vai!" (Go, you idiot, go!) at the climax is arguably the most emotionally devastating moment in any Ghibli dub.
The Porco Rosso Italian dub transcends the label of "dubbing." It is a reinterpretation of a masterpiece by a culture that owns the soul of the story. While Hayao Miyazaki drew the frames, Adriano Celentano gave the pig a heartbeat—a bitter, sarcastic, melancholic, and deeply romantic heartbeat.
If you have only ever watched Porco Rosso in Japanese or English, you have watched a great film. But if you watch it in Italian, with Celentano’s gravel echoing over the waves, you will realize you were watching a completely different movie.
It is the story of a man who chooses to look like a pig because it is better to be seen as an animal than to be mistaken for a hero of a corrupt world. And no one says that better than an Italian.
Final Verdict: Fondamentale. Mandatory viewing for any serious film student. Vai e guardalo subito. (Go watch it now.)
Watching Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso in Italian is often considered the "ultimate" way to experience the film because of its setting in interwar Italy and the Adriatic Sea. While the original Japanese and well-known Disney English dubs are highly praised, the Italian version adds a layer of cultural immersion that aligns with Hayao Miyazaki's deep appreciation for Italian history, aviation, and landscape. The Italian Voice Cast
The Italian dub features a cast of esteemed local voice actors who bring a naturalistic tone to the film’s Mediterranean atmosphere. Marco Pagot / Porco Rosso: Voiced by Massimo Corvo
in the theatrical release. He delivers the weary, cynical, yet noble tone required for the veteran fighter ace. Donald Curtis: Voiced by Fabrizio Pucci
, capturing the brashness and "boastful gallantry" of the American rival pilot. Fio Piccolo: Voiced by Joy Saltarelli , who portrays the spunky and irrepressible young engineer. Gina: Voiced by Roberta Pellini
, matching the vulnerability and sarcasm of the bar singer at the Hotel Adriano. Why Watch the Italian Dub? Porco Rosso | The Dubbing Database | Fandom
The Italian dub of Studio Ghibli's Porco Rosso (known in Italy as Il Porco Rosso) is widely considered the definitive way to experience the film due to its deep cultural resonance and historical accuracy. While the original Japanese performance is iconic, the Italian version transforms the movie from a foreign interpretation of the Adriatic to a domestic period piece. The Significance of the Italian Dub
Cultural Authenticity: Set in the 1920s Adriatic, the film's backdrop of Italian aviation history and the rise of fascism feels more immediate in Italian. Critics and viewers often note that the language bridges the gap between Miyazaki’s idealized Europe and the actual Mediterranean setting.
Linguistic Nuance: Many famous lines, such as "Better a pig than a fascist," carry a specific weight in Italian ("Meglio essere un maiale che un fascista") that captures the political defiance of the era more naturally than a translation.
Voice Casting History: The film actually has two Italian dubs. An unreleased 1997 version was produced but shelved; the widely known version was released later, retaining several key actors from the original attempt.
The "Marco Pagot" Connection: The protagonist, Marco Pagot, is named after the real-life Italian animator and friend of Miyazaki, Marco Pagot, whose family created the famous Italian cartoon character Calimero. Watching the film in Italian honors this personal tribute between creators. Why Watch the Italian Dub?
Atmospheric Immersion: The Italian voice acting captures the "breezy, postcard-perfect" vibe of the film, matching Joe Hisaishi's score which draws heavily from Mediterranean romanticism.
Character Depth: The gruff, world-weary performance of Marco in the Italian dub emphasizes his survivor's guilt and isolation in a way that feels grounded in the specific history of the Italian Air Force. porco rosso italian dub
Community Consensus: Many fans on Reddit and critics at Nerdist argue that while the Disney-Ghibli English dub is well-produced, the Italian version provides an unparalleled sense of place.
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.
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
(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 Celentano does not sound like a cartoon character
: 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.
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 Porco Rosso Italian dub is more than
The Italian dub features some of the country’s most respected voice actors, bringing a "hardboiled" yet whimsical energy to the characters.
The Porco Rosso Italian dub is more than a translation; it is an act of cultural appropriation in the best sense of the word. Hayao Miyazaki drew Italy, but Italy gave Porco his soul.
Michele Kalamera did not live to see the film’s 40th anniversary, but his voice remains etched into the memory of Italian cinephiles. Every time a seaplane flies low over the Venetian lagoon, Italians don’t hear Japanese or English. They hear the raspy, tired, heroic voice of a pig who would rather be free than conform.
In the end, the moral of Porco Rosso is simple: Meglio vivere un giorno da leone che cent’anni da pecora. (Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep). Thanks to the Italian dub, that lion has a pilot’s goggles and a very charming snout.
Do you prefer the English, Japanese, or Italian dub of Porco Rosso? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For fans of Studio Ghibli, the Italian dub of Porco Rosso (known in Italy as Il Porco Rosso) is often considered the definitive way to experience the film due to its deep cultural and historical ties to Italy. Why the Italian Dub is Special
While most Ghibli films are best enjoyed in the original Japanese, Porco Rosso is a unique exception for several reasons:
Cultural Authenticity: The story follows Marco Pagot, a former Italian WWI fighter ace. Hearing the characters speak Italian brings an immediate sense of "home" to the Adriatic setting.
The "Pagot" Connection: Marco’s last name is a tribute to Nino and Toni Pagot, pioneers of Italian animation who co-created Calimero.
Ghibli's Italian Roots: Hayao Miyazaki is a known Italophile. Even the name "Ghibli" comes from an Italian word for a desert wind, which was also the name of an Italian scouting aircraft.
Voice Casting: The Italian dub is praised for capturing the world-weary, noir-inspired tone of the 1920s Italian coastline, making Marco’s transformation into an anthropomorphic pig feel like a grounded part of Italian folklore. 🎬 Key Dubbing Details
Setting: The film is primarily set over the Adriatic Sea during the interwar period.
Historical Accuracy: The dub reflects the political tension of the era, as Marco deals with the rise of fascism—famously stating, "Better to be a pig than a fascist."
Legacy: This specific dub has been instrumental in cementing Ghibli's massive popularity in Italy, often cited as one of the best-produced anime localizations in the country.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are watching on a service like Netflix or a Blu-ray, look for the Italian audio track with English subtitles. It offers a "Euro-noir" atmosphere that the English or Japanese versions can't quite replicate.
If you tell me which version you're watching or where you're located, I can help you find:
Specific streaming platforms offering the Italian audio track. Physical media releases that include the Italian dub.
Details on the voice actors involved in the Italian production.
For international fans, finding the Porco Rosso Italian dub with English subtitles can be tricky. The Disney+ release (as of 2024-2025) includes the Italian audio track in most European regions (Italy, Switzerland). However, the North American Blu-ray release often defaults to English or Japanese.
To experience it properly:
The Italian dub is faithful to the original script but includes minor adaptations:
No major plot or character changes exist. The anti-fascist message remains clear — a bold choice given Italian TV censorship of the era, though the film passed without cuts.