In the mid-1980s, the adult film industry was undergoing a massive transition from the grainy, theatrical "porno-chic" era of the 70s to the slicker, home-video-driven productions of the Reagan years. Amidst this shift, a peculiar and ambitious project emerged: The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985). Far from being a standard blue movie, this classic production attempted to bridge the gap between high-brow literary adaptation and low-brow erotic entertainment. Today, as fans of vintage cinema seek out high-definition restorations, the film remains a fascinating artifact of its time.
If you haven’t seen the 1985 original, seek it out (if you can find a decent transfer). Appreciate it as a time capsule of polyester and puerile humor. But then, close your eyes and imagine what the same pilgrimage would look like today. The road to Canterbury is still long, and the nights are still cold. It’s time for new tales. It’s time to get ribald—again. the ribald tales of canterbury 1985 classic updated
, the film is noted for being one of the last high-budget adult features shot on 35mm film for theatrical release. Plot and Premise In the mid-1980s, the adult film industry was
Directed by Bud Lee (who had a storied career in both mainstream cinematography and adult film), the 1985 version of The Ribald Tales of Canterbury was never meant to be a faithful translation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. Instead, it used the pilgrimage framework as a clothesline upon which to hang a series of increasingly absurd, sexually-charged, and surprisingly witty vignettes. Modern Language : The tales are retold in
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