#341: POWELL, Michael & PRESSBURGER, Emeric: A Canterbury Tale (1944)

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POWELL, Michael & PRESSBURGER, Emeric (United Kingdom)
A Canterbury Tale [1944]
Spine #341
DVD


Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's beloved classic A Canterbury Tale is a profoundly personal journey to Powell's bucolic birthplace of Kent, England. Set amid the tumult of the Second World War, yet with a rhythm as delicate as a lullaby, the film follows three modern-day incarnations of Chaucer's pilgrims — a melancholy "landgirl," a plainspoken American GI, and a resourceful British sergeant — who are waylaid in the English countryside en route to the mythical town and forced to solve a bizarre village crime. Building to a majestic climax that ranks as one of the filmmaking duo's finest achievements, the dazzling A Canterbury Tale has acquired a following of devotees passionate enough to qualify as pilgrims themselves.

124 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2006
Director/Writers




The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60


The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-four page booklet featuring essays by Graham Fuller, Peter von Bagh, and actor Sweet.

Commentary

By film historian Ian Christie.

Excerpts

From the American version, with Kim Hunter.
Video interview

With actress Sim.
A Pilgrim’s Return

A documentary about Sweet, by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan.
A Canterbury Trail

A documentary visiting the film locations, by David Thompson.

Listen to Britain 1

A 2001 video-installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin. A 2001 video-installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin.
Listen to Britain 2

A 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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