| Description |
2 videodiscs (124 min.) : sound, black and white ; 4 3/4 in. |
| Series |
Criterion Collection ; 341 |
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Criterion collection (DVD videodiscs) ; 341.
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| System Details |
DVD, NTSC; region 1; Dolby Digital mono. |
| Language |
In English with optional English SDH subtitles. |
| Cast |
Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price, John Sweet, Esmond Knight, Charles Hawtrey, Hay Petrie. |
| Credits |
Photography, Erwin Hillier ; editor, John Seabourne ; original music, Allan Gray. |
| Note |
Disc one, main feature; disc two special features. |
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Program notes on container insert include an essay "A Canterbury Tale: 'Glorious, isn't it?'" by film writer Graham Fuller, an essay "A tribute" by film historian Peter von Bagh, and an excerpt from "The Making of A Canterbury tale" from an essay by actor Sweet, originally featured on the Powell and Pressburger Appreciation Society's website. |
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Theatrical distribution held by Janus Films. |
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Special features (disc 1): Optional audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie; "American version excerpts" featuring the prologue and ending sequence of the American version with Kim Hunter (12 min). |
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Special features (disc 2): "Sheila Sim interview" featuring Sim's recollections of the production (20 min.); "John Sweet: a pilgrim's return," a documentary on Sweet's 2000 return to Canterbury to speak at the Kent International Film Festival (23 min.); "A Canterbury trail," a tour-guide documentary of the actual film locations (24 min.); "Listen to Britain," a 2001 video-installation piece by English artist Victor Burgin inspired by the film of the same name with an introduction by Burgin (7 min.); "Listen to Britain," a 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings (19 min.). |
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For specific features see interactive menu. |
| Summary |
Inspired by Powell's childhood in Kent, and by Chaucer's epic 14th century tale. Set in 1940s wartime Kent, with three modern-day incarnations of Chaucer's pilgrims: a plainspoken American Army sergeant, a resourceful British sergeant, and a melancholy girl. While enroute to Canterbury they are waylaid and forced to solve a local crime, the mystery of a man who pours glue over the hair of village girls at night. |
| Audience |
Not rated. |
| Subject |
World War, 1939-1945 -- England -- Kent -- Drama -- Videodiscs.
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Travelers -- England -- Kent -- Drama -- Videodiscs.
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Country life -- England -- Kent -- Drama -- Videodiscs.
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England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Drama -- Videodiscs.
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Pilgrims and pilgrimages -- England -- Kent -- Drama -- Videodiscs.
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DVDs.
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| Genre |
Feature films.
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Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
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| Added Author |
Powell, Michael, 1905-1990, producer, director.
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Pressburger, Emeric, 1902-1988, producer, screenwriter.
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Portman, Eric, 1903-1969, actor.
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Sim, Sheila, 1922-2016 actor.
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Price, Dennis, 1915-1973, actor.
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Sweet, John, 1916- actor.
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Fuller, Graham, 1956-
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Bagh, Peter von, 1943-2014.
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Burgin, Victor.
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Jennings, Humphrey, director.
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Janus Films.
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Archers (Firm)
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Criterion Collection (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Pilgrim's return.
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Listen to Britain.
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Canterbury trail.
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| Standard No. |
715515018920 |
| Music No. |
CC1639D Criterion Collection |
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