A Canterbury tale [videorecording] / Janus Films ; Eagle-Lion Distributors, Ltd. ; Independent Film Distributors, Ltd. ; a production of the Archers ; Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger present ; written, produced and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Format:
[videorecording] /
Edition:
Special ed.
Publisher:
Criterion Collection,
Copyright Date:
c2006
Description:
2 videodisc (124 min.) : sd., b&w ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet (20 p. : ill. ; 19 cm.)
Pilgrim's return. Listen to Britain. Canterbury trail.
Notes:
Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price, John Sweet, Esmond Knight, Charles Hawtrey, Hay Petrie, George Merritt, Edward Rigby, Freda Jackson, Betty Jardine, Eliot Makeham, Harvey Golden, Leonard Smith, James Tamsitt, David Todd. Originally produced as a British film in 1944. Disc 2: the supplements: Sheila Sim interview [featurette] (20 min.); John Sweet: A pilgrim's return [featurette] (23 min.); A Canterbury trail [featurette] (24 min.); Listening to Britain [featurette] (7 min.); Listen to Britain [featurette] (19 min.). Booklet includes essays "A Canterbury Tale: 'Glorious, isn't it?'" by Graham Fuller, "A tribute" by Peter von Bagh, and "The Making of A Canterbury tale" by John Sweet.
Contents:
Special features: Optional audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie [audio feature]; American version excerpts [featuring Kim Hunter] (12 min). Prologue -- "Next stop, Canterbury" -- Mr. Colpeper -- Hand of glory -- Wheelwright -- "Things don't always add up" -- Landgirl -- Colpeper's lecture -- Village mystery -- Sticks and stones -- Salvage mission -- Miracles -- Higher courts -- "Always and organist" -- Caravan -- Heavenly messenger -- End credits -- Color bars Special features: Optional audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie [audio feature]; American version excerpts [featuring Kim Hunter] (12 min).
Summary:
During a blackout, three train passengers arrive at Chillingbourne in Kent. Londoner Alison Smith is feisty representative of the Women's Land Army (aka the "land girls"). Bob Johnson is an American soldier whose intended destination was Canterbury. Peter Gibbs is a classical music student who worked in peacetime as a cinema organist. As they make their way through the village, Alison has something poured on to her hair by an unseen attacker. She is the latest victim of the Glue Man, a nocturnal rogue who harasses young women who date American soldiers. She, along with Bob and Peter, vow to track him down. Ostensibly a mystery, the film is principally a portrait of the bucolic English countryside during wartime.
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