Yes, but with caveats.
Unlike anime or major Hollywood blockbusters, foreign arthouse films rarely receive big-budget dubs. However, The Intouchables was so commercially successful globally that an official English dub was produced for specific markets, primarily for airline inflight entertainment and North American television broadcasts.
Samira had spent three years dubbing foreign films into English, but never had she encountered a script that felt like a living thing. The project was The Intouchables—the French phenomenon about a wealthy quadriplegic, Philippe, and his ex-con caretaker, Driss. The challenge wasn't the translation; it was the soul.
The original French audio crackled with a specific Parisian energy. Omar Sy’s Driss was loose, rhythmic, and unapologetically streetwise. François Cluzet’s Philippe was fragile, dry, and aristocratic. Their banter was jazz. How do you turn jazz into blues without breaking its spine?
The studio had hired two actors for the English audio track: Marcus, a comedian known for his warm, booming laugh, and Julian, a classically trained theater actor who moved like his bones were made of glass. They were kept apart during recording—a standard practice to save time. But Samira, the dialogue coach, knew this was a mistake.
On the third day, she broke the rules.
She brought Marcus into Julian’s booth. Julian was recording the famous parachute scene. In the French version, Philippe is terrified, and Driss mocks him into jumping. Julian read his line: “I don’t want to do this.”
Marcus, standing behind the glass, whispered the Driss response under his breath. But Samira shoved a mic in front of him. “Say it. To him.”
Marcus leaned in, not as a voice actor, but as a friend. “You’ve never jumped out of a plane, Philippe. You’ve never jumped into anything. Today, you jump.”
Julian turned. His eyes, visible through the soundproof glass, softened. He smiled—a rare, unscripted moment. Then he laughed. Not the polite laugh of recorded dialogue, but a real, wheezing, helpless laugh.
Samira hit record.
For the next two hours, they didn’t act. They interrupted each other. Marcus improvised Driss’s lectures about opera (“It’s a dude in a cape singing about his feelings—you’d love it”), and Julian ad-libbed Philippe’s dry retorts (“And you prefer music with screaming and no melody?”). The English audio track stopped being a translation. It became a reincarnation.
When the film was released internationally, critics were confused. “The English dub,” one wrote, “shouldn’t work. But it has its own heartbeat. It’s not French. It’s not American. It’s something else.” Viewers who couldn’t read subtitles finally understood the joke in the shaving scene, the weight of the silent night scene, the absurd tenderness of the “no arm, no chocolate” exchange. The Intouchables English Audio Track
Years later, at a fan convention in London, a blind man named Arthur approached the dubbing booth exhibit. He wore headphones playing the English audio track. “I’ve listened to this thirty times,” he said. “I can’t see the actors’ faces. But I know they’re smiling. I can hear the space between their words.”
Samira, now retired, stood next to him. She didn’t tell him she was there. She just listened. And in Marcus’s laugh and Julian’s pause, she heard what the French original could never be—faithful not to the words, but to the silence where two broken people finally understood each other.
That, she realized, was the true meaning of The Intouchables. Not the language. The laugh.
The Ultimate Guide to Watching "The Intouchables" in English Released in 2011, The Intouchables (originally Intouchables
) became a global sensation, capturing hearts with its witty, poignant portrayal of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic aristocrat and his caretaker from the projects. However, for English-speaking fans, finding the right way to watch this French masterpiece can be a bit of a puzzle. Whether you are looking for an English audio track (dub) or prefer the authenticity of English subtitles
, here is everything you need to know to experience the magic of this film. Is There an Official English Dub?
Yes, an official English audio track exists for the 2011 film, though its availability is highly dependent on your region and platform. Google Play Store: Frequently lists a specific version titled Intouchables (English dubbed) available for purchase or rental in various regions.
Some regions offer a version that includes both original French and English audio
Historically, Netflix has offered the film with an English dub in certain international markets, sometimes even omitting the original French track. The Subtitles vs. Dubbing Debate Many cinephiles argue that watching The Intouchables
with its original French audio and English subtitles is the superior experience.
An English-dubbed version of the 2011 French film The Intouchables is available on platforms like Google Play Movies, while physical media typically features the original French audio with subtitles. For a native English experience, the 2017 American remake, The Upside, stars Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. Find the English-dubbed original at Google Play Movies.
The 2011 French blockbuster The Intouchables Les Intouchables ) was originally filmed and released in . While an official English dubbed version Yes, but with caveats
exists and is available on select digital platforms, the film is most commonly experienced in its original French audio with English subtitles. Google Play Availability of the English Audio Track
Finding the English dub can vary significantly based on your region and the platform used: Google Play Movies: Lists a dedicated version titled Intouchables (English dubbed) for purchase or rental in several international markets.
Generally offers the original French audio with English subtitle options, though availability of a dub depends on the specific regional storefront. Streaming Services: Platforms like Amazon Prime Video
often default to the original French audio with subtitles, though some users have reported the English dub being the only option in specific territories like Sri Lanka. English-Language Alternatives
If you prefer an English-language experience without subtitles or dubbing, there are two primary options:
The Intouchables: A Heartwarming Tale of Unlikely Friendship
Introduction
"The Intouchables" is a French film that took the world by storm in 2011. Directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, the movie tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic and his caregiver. The film's success can be attributed to its talented cast, witty dialogue, and genuine heart. In this blog post, we'll explore the English audio track of "The Intouchables" and what makes it a must-watch for audiences worldwide.
The Story
The film is based on the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, a French aristocrat who becomes a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident. With a team of caregivers, Philippe struggles to come to terms with his new reality. That is until he meets Driss, a young and charismatic immigrant from Mali who is hired as his caregiver. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two form an unlikely bond that changes their lives forever.
The English Audio Track
The English audio track of "The Intouchables" features the talented voices of actors Udo Kier (Philippe) and Jack Black (Driss). The voice cast brings the characters to life, infusing the film with humor, wit, and sensitivity. The audio track is a masterful adaptation of the original French dialogue, ensuring that the nuances and emotions of the characters are preserved for English-speaking audiences. Conclusion "The Intouchables" is a must-watch film that
Themes and Reception
"The Intouchables" explores themes of friendship, class, and the human condition. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the chemistry between the leads and the movie's uplifting message. The film holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many considering it one of the best films of the 2010s.
Why You Should Watch The Intouchables
Conclusion
"The Intouchables" is a must-watch film that will leave you smiling and inspired. With its talented cast, witty dialogue, and genuine heart, it's no wonder the film has become a global phenomenon. If you're looking for a movie that will touch your heart and challenge your perspectives, look no further than "The Intouchables" with its English audio track.
The original 2011 French film The Intouchables is primarily presented in its native French audio. While there have been instances of an English dubbed version appearing on digital platforms like Google Play and occasionally on Netflix, it is not the standard way most audiences experience the film.
Most high-quality physical releases, such as the Region A Blu-ray, only include the original French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track accompanied by English subtitles. Audio Options Overview
Original French Track: This is the definitive version of the film, widely praised for preserving the natural chemistry and vocal nuances between leads François Cluzet and Omar Sy.
English Dubbing: While an English dub exists for some digital markets, it is often criticized for losing the cultural context and comedic timing of the original French performances.
The American Remake: Because an English audio track for the original film can be difficult to find, many English-speaking viewers turn to the 2017 remake, The Upside, which stars Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart.
Before diving into the specifics of the English audio track, it’s crucial to address the elephant in the room. The Intouchables is a deeply French film. Its humor, rhythm, and emotional beats are tied to the performances of Omar Sy (Driss) and François Cluzet (Philippe). Purists argue that listening to an English dub strips the film of its authentic Parisian texture.
However, accessibility is key. Not everyone can read subtitles comfortably. For viewers with visual impairments, dyslexia, or simply those who prefer to watch a movie without their eyes glued to the bottom of the screen, an English audio track is a necessity. Fortunately, the demand for this specific format has been addressed by several distributors over the years.
In the United States, Prime Video sometimes offers two separate listings: the original French version (with subtitles) and a second listing labeled "The Intouchables (English Dubbed)." Look carefully at the audio options before pressing play. If you see "English [Dolby Digital 5.1]," you have found the right track.
For the English dub, the production secured high-profile voice talent to ensure the characters' chemistry translated for English-speaking audiences.