Set in the 15th-century English countryside, the film follows a group of noblemen and women on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. To pass the time, the
In the original text, a jealous carpenter is cuckolded by a clever clerk named Nicholas. The 1985 version repositions this into a suburban comedy of manners. The carpenter becomes a wealthy, oblivious real estate developer, while Nicholas is transformed into a smooth-talking aerobics instructor. The iconic "misdirected kiss" window scene is preserved but executed with slapstick choreography straight out of an 80s bedroom farce. The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale
This combination of a classic literary framework, a substantial budget, and the creative vision of its star, resulted in a film that Cinema Retro describes as "slickly produced" and featuring "unusually ornate sets and costumes" for its genre.
For years, the languished in obscurity due to rights issues involving the original distributor, Video Gems. After the 2025 acquisition by a boutique horror/animation label, the updated version has become a midnight movie staple again. the ribald tales of canterbury 1985 classic updated
The "updated" version refers to the modern from the original 35mm camera negatives, released by specialty labels like Mélusine and Vinegar Syndrome .
D'Amato, working under his real name Aristide Massaccesi, served as his own cinematographer. His use of soft lighting, rich color palettes, and fluid camera movements gave the film a dreamlike, historical texture.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Set in the 15th-century English countryside, the film
, another Hyapatia Lee film directed by Bud Lee, which is set in a contemporary 1980s radio station. Key Cast and Crew The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) - IMDb
One of the most notable aspects of The Ribald Tales is its frank and often humorous portrayal of sex and relationships. The tales are populated by characters who are frequently randy, duplicitous, and unapologetically so. The Wife of Bath, a character from Chaucer's original work, is reimagined as a robust and assertive woman with a voracious sexual appetite.
The dialogue bounces between faux-Shakespearean prose and aggressive 1980s slang, creating a surreal, comedic dissonance. The carpenter becomes a wealthy, oblivious real estate
The 1980s was a decade defined by cinematic excess, subversion, and the bold reinterpretation of classical literature. Among the most intriguing artifacts of this era is The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985), a film that attempted to bridge the gap between highbrow literary tradition and the lowbrow, neon-soaked aesthetics of late-20th-century exploitation cinema. By updating Geoffrey Chaucer’s foundational 14th-century text for modern audiences, the film created a polarizing, campy, and undeniably unique cinematic experience. The Genesis: Modernising Chaucer’s Wit
Unlike many of its contemporaries, this film was known for its lavish production values , featuring detailed 15th-century costumes and ornate sets that actually attempt to recreate medieval England.
For many, the "updated" experience begins with high-definition restoration. The grainy 1985 film stock has, in recent years, been treated to 4K scans that bring out the intricate (and often gaudy) details of the production, making the 1985 classic feel surprisingly fresh.
Loosely follows Chaucer's structure, where pilgrims traveling to Canterbury pass the time by telling bawdy, erotic stories.
: Tales include a knight's encounter with a pilgrim, a mother and daughter seducing students, and a Romani girl with magical rings.