A Canterbury Tale (1944) - The Criterion Collection
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A Canterbury Tale
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
DVD
2 Discs
SRP: $39.95
Criterion Store price:$31.96 + Add to CartAdd to Wish List
United Kingdom
1944
124 minutes
Black and White
1.33:1
English
Spine #341
SYNOPSIS: 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¡ªa melancholy ¡°landgirl,¡± a plainspoken American GI, and a resourceful British sergeant¡ªwho 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.
Cast & CreditsOpen
Cast
Thomas Colpeper
Eric Portman
Alison Smith
Sheila Sim
Sgt. Peter Gibb
Dennis Price
Sgt. Bob Johnson
Sgt. John Sweet
Seven Sisters Soldier/Narrator/Village Idiot
Esmond Knight
Credits
Director
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Written, produced, and directed by
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Cinematography
Erwin Hillier
Sound
John Seabourne Sr.
Music
Allan Gray
Conducted by
Walter Goehr
Production design
Alfred Junge
Disc Features
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET
New, restored high-definition digital transfer
Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie
Excerpts from the American Version, with Kim Hunter
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, 2001 video installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin
Listen to Britain, a 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by Graham Fuller, Peter von Bagh, and actor John Sweet
From the CurrentView the Current ?
Film Essays
A Tribute: A Canterbury Tale
By Peter von BaghJuly 24, 2006
If the most important subjects of film are light and time, I can¡¯t think of a more poignant work than A Canterbury Tale. As seen by the Archers¡ªthe writing-directing Read more ?
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