A Canterbury Tale with Eric Portman: DVD Cover
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A Canterbury Tale Director: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell Cast: Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price, John Sweet

DVD - 2 Disc Set - Black & White Learn more

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  • DVD Release Date: 07/25/2006
  • Original Release: 1944
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Sales Rank: 7,732

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Features

Closed Caption; New, restored high-definition digital transfer; Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie; Excerpts from the American version, with Kim Hunter; Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; New video interview with actress Sheila Sim; A Pilgrim's Return, a documentary about John Sweet, by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan; A Canterbury Trail, a new documentary visiting the film locations, by David Thompson; Listen to Britain, a 2001 video-installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin; Listen to Britain, a 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings; A booklet featuring essays by Graham Fuller, Peter von Bagh, and actor John Sweet

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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- A Canterbury Tale: The Film
1. Prologue [5:47]
2. "Next Stop, Canterbury" [7:33]
3. Mr. Colpeper [7:32]
4. The Hand of Glory [9:10]
5. The Wheelwright [6:09]
6. "Things Don't Always Add Up" [5:23]
7. Landgirl [8:23]
8. Colpeper's Lecture [8:07]
9. Village Mystery [3:32]
10. Sticks and Stones [11:18]
11. Salvage Mission [11:05]
12. Miracles [8:41]
13. Higher Courts [8:32]
14. "Always an Organist" [7:27]
15. The Caravan [7:11]
16. Heavenly Messenger [7:31]
17. End Credits [1:19]
1. Literary Connections [5:47]
2. The Three Travelers [7:33]
3. Eric Portman [7:32]
4. Country and City [9:10]
5. Documentary Realism [6:09]
6. A Minor Miracle [5:23]
7. "Hopping" [8:23]
8. "What Is His Message?" [8:07]
9. Alfred Junge [3:32]
10. A Children's World [11:18]
11. Attention to Detail [11:05]
12. The Power of Imagination [8:41]
13. Court of Conscience [8:32]
14. The Cinematic Cathedral [7:27]
15. Neoromanticims [7:11]
16. Yanks in Britain [7:31]
17. End Credits [1:19]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

Set not in the 14th century milieu of Geoffrey Chaucer but in wartime Britain, A Canterbury Tale begins with rural justice of the peace Eric Portman adopting a "lock up your daughters" policy when the American soldiers are stationed nearby. To escape the arbitrary edicts of Portman, British tank sergeant Dennis Price, American GI John Sweet and shopkeeper Sheila Sim head down the road to Canterbury. Each of the principals finds their lives changed by the journey. In particular, Sweet (a real-life American sergeant, rather than the usual stereotyped "yank" common to British war films) encounters genuine romance. A product of the always adventuresome "Archers" (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger), A Canterbury Tale contains some extremely creative cinematic moments, though it is the quieter scenes which work best. Esmond Knight narrates the film and shows up in a couple of amusing cameos. A ubiquitous presence on American TV, Canterbury Tale is available in two versions; the American release version, cut from 124 to 95 minutes and including several arbitrary scenes with Kim Hunter, is the lesser of the two. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

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  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

CANTERBURY, NICE ONE!by carleenloveshoneyjr

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January 31, 2009: CANTERBURY was one of the legends of literature.. ôô very nice .. :)

Exceptional Propagandaby Anonymous

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March 19, 2007: There's no denying that this Powell/Pressburger film was intended to boost the morale of Allied forces before the historic Normandy landing. Nevertheless, there's a hushed lyrical quality to the storytelling that raises it far above the level of the typical propaganda yarn. Powell's obvious love for the Southern English countryside is effectively romanticized through the legend of the old Canterbury trail, made world-famous by Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The three main characters find themselves modern pilgrims-of-sorts, who find blessings in most unexpected ways. The acting is competent, unadorned (save the early English-film-actor inflections) and refreshing, especially the home-spun performance from, American, John Street.