A Canterbury Tale

Ratings & Reviews

ginobartolomi

charming enough, I suppose. but it doesn't really flow. I could have done without the bit about the 'glue man' entirely.

Jugu Abraham

Difficult to distinguish a studio shot from a location shot in this film. The American soldier played by a non-actor, real soldier was an agreeable choice by the director. Interesting film but not outstanding.

Aardsy

Well-made, beautiful, boring.

Adam Whybray

If a man chooses to, under the cover of dark, put glue in the hair of young women, against their consent, in a misguided and xenophobic bid to prevent them from sleeping with American GIs, then surely only God Himself can judge him?

FISCHER

>>> Une oeuvre longuette, désuète et largement surestimée... www.cinefiches.com

Stian Gledje Bekkvik

3.5

Ethan

This is a fun film from the impressive duo of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, two artists who really knew how to use the medium of motion pictures.

TheCentralRuhr

Gorgeous lighting, a very interesting kind of British bucolic idealism, shot by Erwin Hillier. Hillier was a German cinematographer who worked in the Brit film industry and brings a sense of German Expressionism into the photography (as wikipedia puts it, British realism + German Expressionism somehow equals English neo-romanticism) also the juxtaposition of these styles becomes an apt metaphor (cont.)

Trapped In The Cinema

A very English wartime drama. And definitely inspired the bone-spinning sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey https://trappedinthecinemablog.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/a-canterbury-tale-1944-%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85/

marco

england

Trevor

Like much of Powell and Pressburger's masterpieces, this is unclassifiably unique and is unlike anything I've ever seen. Though there is a vague sense of plot, the feeling of place, atmosphere, emotion and character is remarkably concrete. Beautiful, mysterious and very moving.

Bjanicas

I couldn't find any Pressburger in it. And I missed it, yes I did.

M****

Ah when everything happens the way you wish it would. When everyone has nothing but the best of intentions for the world.

AKFilmFan

While light on plot it makes up with beautiful cinematography and a blend of genres. A powerful story of redemptive and nature where even a guy who pours glue on womens' hair can learn a lesson.

WhatsUpWill

Safe, conventional, comfortable. It does enough just to keep my interest, but it's still quite boring.

Daniel Dawson

Though the cinematography is at times a stunning expression of the duo’s capabilities and the dialogue is frequently warm and funny, A Canterbury Tale is unfortunately overlong and disappointing for the most part. With so many unforgettable works under their collective belt it comes as a surprise to find this film lacking in the sheer quality and the homely feel often experienced with an Archers Production.

Jon B

This film says so much about Britishness to me, that it is almost inseparable from reality.

Dave

An experience that I can't even put into words...few directors could hit that atmosphere like The Archers. They do it here better than anywhere else. It might not be my favorite P&P film, but it is their most unique.

Richmond Hill

A skilfully woven tableau of the most disparate elements - mystery, pastoral idyll and journeying drama - coalesces into something almost spiritual with much to say on judgement, redemption and, above all, faith. Faith in one's self, one's country and - whether you believe or not - God. Gorgeous to the eye, ear and mind, and a film to which one repeatedly returns.