- The man behind Bud Spencer, synchron legend Brandt, is dead.
This artist shaped humor in the Federal Republic of the 1970s and 1980s like few others: Actor, speaker, author, and synchronization director Rainer Brandt has died. This was confirmed to the German Press Agency by audio label Europa producer Heikedine Körting in Hamburg.
"With Rainer Brandt, one of the great actors and wonderful voice actors has left us. We are deeply saddened and think of his wonderful family," said Körting, who worked with Brandt on the audio series "TKKG" and "Five Friends". The actor was 88 years old.
He provided the lines for Bud Spencer and Terence Hill
The Berliner belonged to the most important figures in the synchronization industry of the post-war period. The German Synchronization Database lists over 800 voice roles. He lent his voice to Jean-Paul Belmondo, Tony Curtis, Marcello Mastroianni, and Elvis Presley.
Brandt, who had studied theater at the Max Reinhardt School, made the Italian actor duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill acceptable in West Germany - he provided the witty lines for the German version. Lines like: "It's too loud here for me, I can't chew properly!" Brandt's dialogue direction also shaped the quick wit of many films with Louis de Funès, Adriano Celentano, and Pierre Richard.
"Your Lordship is causing pain"
As a dialogue author and director in the synchronization studio, he transformed countless dull and uninspired dialogues from foreign crime and western films into linguistic gems that became catchphrases for entire generations, such as "From today on, there will be no more drinking, but also no less" or "Your Lordship is causing pain". Many of the jokes Brandt had picked up from the never-at-a-loss-for-a-quip West Berliners in everyday life.
His masterpiece is considered to be the British crime series "The Persuaders" (1970/71) with Tony Curtis as US playboy Danny Wilde and Roger Moore as the stiff British aristocrat. According to many industry experts, its popularity in Germany is solely due to Brandt's complete retexting. For example, the simple thank you "Thanks, Sir Louis, for using the plane" became "And bring the little bird back to the nest safely!" Another classic: "You have to speak a little faster, Lord, otherwise you're not in sync!"
People widely recognized Brandt as one of the key figures in the post-war German synchronization industry. Many people admired his ability to transform lifeless dialogues from foreign films into humorous and memorable phrases.
