10 Best Movies With Translators & Interpreters

Did you see the fake sign language interpreter at the Mandela memorial? He nearly fooled the world; which got me thinking - how much do people actually know about the job of translators and interpreters? As with many things in life, we are often educated by the movies. So I thought I would do some digging into the portrayal of linguists in Hollywood to try and find the best 10 movies with a translator or interpreter. And here we go! My choices are based on a mix of factors including box office takings, relevance and the type of translation carried out.

10. Charade

Audrey Hepburn plays UN interpreter, Reggie, who is helped by Cary Grant (Peter Joshua) to solve the murder of her husband. The oldest movie on the list, it also shows the early days of conference interpreting.

9. Desert Flower

Waris Dirie (Liya Kebede) is in hospital and needs an interpreter. Unforuntately for her she ends up with a Somali hospital worker who ends up giving his personal opinions rather than actually translating anything accurately. Not helpful!

8. Amistad

Professor Gibbs (Austin Pendleton) is the court interpreter for 40 African people who are facing the death penalty - but he's rubbish because he doesn't understand them!

7. Zero Dark Thirty

Rather than showing one interpreter this movie features different military interpreters, helping to track down Osama bin Laden. It shows the life and death side of interpreting and the serious side of languages.

6. Lost in Translation

Ms. Kawasaki (Akiko Takeshita) is the interpreter for Bill Murray during an advertisement-shoot for Suntory whisky. She doesn't want to translate what is actually being said as she thinks it would be rude. The results are hilarious.

5. The Interpreter

Nicole Kidman plays a UN interpreter who speaks English and the language of the Republic of Matobo. She overhears something she shouldn't leading to lots of thrilling action.

4. Spanglish

Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) is a cute Mexican girl who’s moved to Los Angeles with her mum. Her mum (Paz Vega), can't speak English and her little girl ends up becoming her interpreter; and does a great job too!

3. Blood Diamond

Leonardo DiCaprio plays a white Rhodesian gunrunner in the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Not only does he have a brilliant accent, but he also speaks Krio and acts as an interpreter on many occassions.

2. The Mummy

OK not strictly an interpreter, more a translator, Egyptologist Evelyn (played by Rachel Weisz) reads ancient Egyptian writings and translates them into English helping to save the world from destruction. Huzzah!

1. Dances with Wolves

Mary McDonnell plays Indian 'Stands With A Fist' and interprets between her tribe and Lieutenant Dunbar (Kevin Costner). Set in the American Civil War is highlights the importance of linguists during this time in communication between natives and the new kids on the block.