The Canterbury Tales details
| Formats: | 15 DVD, Blu-ray |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Laura Betti, Tom Baker, Jenny Runacre, Hugh Griffith, Franco Citti, Josephine Chaplin, Ninetto Davoli, Robin Askwith |
| Director: | Pier Paolo Pasolini |
| Genres: | Drama, World Cinema - Italian |
| Studio: | LACE GROUP |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
The Canterbury Tales |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 47 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 18 Jun 2001 |
| Main languages: | Italian |
| Subtitles: | English |
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Most helpful review
Bawdy, occasionally intriguing but that's about it
By Tinderbox from England , 27 Jun 2004[Highly rated reviewer]
Italian director Pier Pasolini seems to only be remembered for his final film, the controversial and somewhat flat "Salo", as well as his between-the-sheets lifestyle (homosexual and tortured about it).
But the real force behind his films is the literature that inspired them: de Sade, Boccaccio, and in this case, Geoffrey Chaucer.
Pasolini wisely avoids a straight run-through of the tales, but doesn't lose sight of the importance of the author/storyteller persona (he himself plays Chaucer). This is the film's greatest strength: rather than reproduce the pilgrims on their way to Canterbury as narrators, Pasolini makes them part of their tales and part of the society they live in. It is this 'social' feel that Pasolini effortlessly pulls off.
The atmosphere of 14th century England is not created with sumptuous costumes or impressive sets: instead, muddy farmhouses and sexual escapades perfectly capture the mood of Chaucer's satirical yet bawdy tales.
Yet the film itself just doesn't quite feel right: the emphasis on the sexual romps leads the film down an almost 'Carry On' path which avoids thematic variety (even Robin Asquith turns up for some comedy bonking). Pasolini even finds time to include persecuted homosexuals, which doesn't really work despite its wry tone.
That said, the film looks great and has a very effective, grainy quality to offset the striking colours of the pilgrims' clothes. It's also worth a look if you're interested in Chaucer 's work. However, there isn't really enough in here to warrant more than a casual interest.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(26)Amusing bawdy comedy
By a customer , 06 Feb 2013A classic of the era. Funny and entertaining. Very memorable. If you just press Play this Blueray disk has the film in Italian with English subtitles, but if you go to Extras and select English Version you get the actors speaking English.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Carry on Pilgrimage
By Seedyvee (183 reviews) from Grantham , 21 May 2012The film presents six bawdy tales from the Canterbury Tales in succession, with the occasional fleeting scene of Geoffrey himself penning the series, which sadly makes for a gradual and inexorable onset of monotony and tedium. There lacks the contrast of the more serious tales and of course the discussion between the characters that do the telling in between, who are themselves as interesting as the stories they tell.
Yes, Chaucer's tales are juicy in carnal humour and earthly knockabout but this production just looks so cheap and nasty: the costumes are too obviously modern-made, the hair-styles so 70s and there is no historic atmosphere. It all appears like a second-rate 'Carry on' film - but without the wit and pace.
For a serious reader of period literature this is a flat disappointment.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Dismal stuff
By a customer , 27 Dec 2011Though the disk petered out and was unplayable after the first hour or so, the film earlier established that it was unplayable for other reasons - hopeless sound, inaccurate subtitles and altogether a rotten piece of work. Completeley clueless from a director who plainly had no understanding of the Canterbury Tales- Was this review helpful to you?
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Not stood the test of time
By a customer , 05 Nov 2011what a load of rubbish
did no good to the real caterbury tales i found it boring
pornographic and very very unentertaining- Was this review helpful to you?
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Very Disappointing
By a customer , 21 Sep 2011The movie is an excuse to show off as much naked flesh as possible, without purpose. The plot progresses painfully slowly, and if you're not into wanton, gratituous sex without context, then I'd say avoid this one.- Was this review helpful to you?
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