Accents

[disco]

I would say it's fine to have Americans in the film as long as their good at a British accent then I dont see the problem. I would love to see a divide between the north and the south, with Scottish in the north and English in the south. Even better if they had regional accents.

I think it would be better also to have actors who are established but not household names as HBO is good for.

How does everyone else feel?

 

[TK-421]

See the debate at:

Is it okay to discuss casting for the HBO series?

and

Ohmygodohmygod

Also a good time to recall that HBO is an American network and GRRM is an American author. Anywho...the debate will rage until ADWD comes out and then we have something else to talk about (please, please soon...)

 

[Weasel Soup]

TK is dead right, as soon as ADWD comes out this speculation may become, well trite for a few months.

But right now it is fun. But yes check those threads.

 

[disco]

Must admit you have a good point TK

 

[Boaz]

I confess I would not want to hear anything but the most eloquent King's english from Tywin Lannister.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

I confess I would not want to hear anything but the most eloquent King's english from Tywin Lannister.

Queen's English old boy, Queen's. Not had a king since '52 dontcha know!

 

[Boaz]

Public response: Kings, queens, whatever. Ask George III about what we think of kings! Ha!

Private response: Doh! I'm an idiot. I think I'm cultured and intelligent, alas! We owe our language, legal system, Christian heritage, work ethic, literature, and much more to Great Britain. King Arthur, Queen Elizabeth I, John Churchill, Arthur Wellesley, Winston Churchill are all heroes of the first rank. I also respect Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. We never want to lose the United Kingdom as allies.

 

[Koopa]

While we would gladly kick them out of the European alliance, they are always holding us back, by refusing certain laws and so on. We should never have accepted them, and let them rot in their failure of the alliance the UK first created themselves. ( I am speaking in a united europe sense )

 

[Boaz]

We interrupt your regularly scheduled discussion about Accents to bring you the following:

Strong words against the very country that guaranteed your independence in the 1830's by declaring themselves ready to fight anyone who fought you. The UK twice came to your aid and gave her money and lives to free you from German opression. Not to mention Great Britain's clashes with the French and the Hapsburgs that helped lead to Belgian independence.

King Albert I was absolutely a hero. He was the kind of man who did what was right no matter the consequences. He was given every opportunity to not oppose the Germans... they offered him over 30 million francs just to stand aside, but he was not tempted by Judas silver. King Albert I of Belgium "went down standing up"! He faced off with the Kaiser though he knew he was out manned and out gunned. He has my utmost respect.

The UK holds the EU back in what ways... Opposing French aggresssion three hundred years ago? Opposing French aggression two hundred years ago? Opposing German agression a hundred years ago? Opposing German aggression seventy years ago? Opposing Russian aggression in our lifetimes? And currently opposing murderers in the name of religion?

Who cares if they drive on the wrong side of the road? Who cares if their weights and measures don't jive? Who cares about the irrelevant? If you want some Europeans who will not surrender in the face of a threat, then you need the UK. King Albert I was not a quitter. If you want Europeans who will surrender in the face of a threat, then keep members like Spain. King Leopold III did not repeat the bravery of his father, King Albert I. Leopold did not oppose Hitler.

We all have two choices. We can be like Albert or Leopold.

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming:

 

[Culhwch]

If you want some Europeans who will not surrender in the face of a threat, then you need the UK.

I don't know, you've evidently not seen the English cricket team play this summer...

But jokes aside, not really the place for a political debate, guys.

 

[TK-421]

While I have some issues concerning some of the UK's policies, that was quite out of line Kiwi and may I say not the first time you type before you think. And, please spare us the long-winded post of how we misunderstood your latest faux-pas or that eveyone else is wrong for pointing out such a gross misstep.

I also agree this is not the place for political discussions but a proper response as the one given by Boaz was warranted. Now, accents...

...they will have them regardless of where you come from.

 

[Funky Cthulu]

Now, accents...

...they will have them regardless of where you come from.

Ah, but which character will have the OSTRAYYAN accent? (Aussie, for the less phonetically inclined).
God, I hope it's not the Freys.

 

[Boaz]

I don't know, you've evidently not seen the English cricket team play this summer...

That reminds me of when I first encountered the sport of Rugby in 1991. England lost to Western Samoa in the Hong Kong Sevens and the newpapers screamed, "Thank God we didn't play all of Samoa!"

Staying off topic, we've not been impressed with the efforts our "professional" basketball players have given in international competition.

Back on topic, as long as the actors are consistent then I guess I'll have no cause for complaint. We all remember the disaster of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner was not the only bad accent in that film... Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors, but his Moorish accent in RH and his Bantu accent in The Power Of One leave much to be desired. And I must add that even though I thoroughly enjoyed Kenneth Brannagh's Much Ado About Nothing, the differences in accents from Michael Keaton to Kenneth Brannagh to Denzel Washington to Kate Beckinsale to Keanu Reeves was slightly distracting from the actual story.

Of course, something in the screen production will disappoint every one who's a fan of the printed version. This was especially true for me with The Lord Of The Rings. Peter Jackson's vision could not be 100% consistent with mine while covering three books and over nine hours of film. Strider's voice was perfect, but Aragorn's voice was too soft. Boromir was excellently depicted, while Faramir was unrecognizable to me. The Argonath took my breath away, while the Warg's faces left me flabbergasted.

So, I'll watch ASOIAF knowing that it's more for the uninitiated than the fan boys. (I can't believe I just labeled myself that way.) And I'll smile inside when Renly vexed Stannis with a strawberry... I'll know that I know the truth.

 

[devilsgrin]

Ah, but which character will have the OSTRAYYAN accent? (Aussie, for the less phonetically inclined).
God, I hope it's not the Freys.

It would make sense for someone from The South to have the melodious ostayyan accent... possibly the Dornish and/or those of the Arbor and the Reach. That is, if we see differing english speaking accents throughout the cast.

 

[dyffeg]

Being an australian, I had to laugh at the Freys "potentially" having an australian accent. And being an australian, I think I can say - without raising too much ire - that our accent is pretty wierd. I remember coming back home after spending a year in England, getting off the plane, and honestly believing that the aussies in the arrivals were "putting on the accent" to entertain the tourists - ie I didn't beleive that any one could reallhy speak like that!!!!

Aside from that, I think the aussie accent would go well with the Wildlings, from other side of the wall...they should really speak a bit differently, to my thoughts.

And, I am sure in Lord of the Rings movies, there was an enormous mix of accents, and they all blended in quite authentically!

Dyffeg

 

[Weasel Soup]

North of the Wall= Canadians!!!!

Please when have we ever seen a Canadian accent in a film outside of Strange Brew.

(Sorry entertaining myself please disregard)

 

[Funky Cthulu]

Being an australian, I had to laugh at the Freys "potentially" having an australian accent. And being an australian, I think I can say - without raising too much ire - that our accent is pretty wierd. I remember coming back home after spending a year in England, getting off the plane, and honestly believing that the aussies in the arrivals were "putting on the accent" to entertain the tourists - ie I didn't beleive that any one could reallhy speak like that!!!!

Aside from that, I think the aussie accent would go well with the Wildlings, from other side of the wall...they should really speak a bit differently, to my thoughts.

And, I am sure in Lord of the Rings movies, there was an enormous mix of accents, and they all blended in quite authentically!

Dyffeg

Hi Dyffeg, from a fellow Aussie,

I've been amazed in my travels round Australia, at the sheer variety in accents in our country - possibly not as obvious to foreigners, but a broad queensland drawl sounds very different to a clipped melbourne city slicker, to me.
I know what you mean about noticing it more in contrast with other accents - when I was staying in Canada for a few months, I could pick an Aussie voice 30 yards away - I began to miss it, delightful as the Canadians are. Steve Irwin's accent has always freaked me out a little, though. I keep thinking "Do we really sound like that??"
I'm thinking the Freys may get cast with a back water southern-hick American accent. I can actually hear Ned as having a Russian influence to his voice. It would be a pleasant change to see a Russian (or someone who sounds like one) cast as a good guy.

 

[Culhwch]

We all remember the disaster of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner was not the only bad accent in that film... .

Hey, it made sense! Kevin Costner and Christian Slater were brothers, and they both had American accents! Perfect sense!

I think consitency is definitely the key. Hopefully they settle on an accent (or accents, as has been suggested, differing for different regions) and hire a voice coach or whatever the hell they call them selves to tutor the cast.

And it will also come down to the ability of the chosen actors, I think. It is amongst the children there might be the most ifficulty.

 

[MOUNTAIN THAT READS]

I can just see us all sitting around the world waiting for a Frey to say something and hoping they sound nothing like us.

Walder Frey: Y'all say ye unna cross my crick ehhhh. Y'all have ta pay a toll.

British rejoice!!!
Aussies Rejoice!!!

mean while in Indiana USA

mountain that reads screams:

"NOOOOOOOOO..... not an Indiana accent..............hey, is that my uncle Steve"

 

[Aegon the Unworthy]

Gah people.....and I mean Gah!

Im gone for a week, experiencing the joy that is the happiest place on earth (read: sore feet, endless lines, and overpriced food) and this is the best you can come up with?

Okay, the British accent is used to depict "ancient times" in american television because it sounds classier. Simple as that....it sounds classier to the American ear so the powers that be will keep trotting the particular bit of tripe out to the american public. I shudder to think someday my son may hear a british accent and ask that person if theyre from Rome.

FC brings up a good point. In many countries there are quite a few different accents. I can not for the life of me understand most of my family from Louisana without speaking to them for a couple of days first. They dont so much as speak the same language as chew it up and spit it out, to my ear at least. I assume its the same its the same regardless of locale. I can pick out a california, boston, texan etc accent. But I cant tell you if someone is from Wales or London on accent alone.