The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -classic- Now
You're referring to a classic book!
However, viewing "The Ribald Tales of Canterbury" through a modern lens requires an appreciation for its historical context. The 1980s was a decade of transition; the freedom of the 70s was clashing with the conservative political climate of the Reagan era, and the threat of AIDS was fundamentally changing the industry. In this light, the film acts as a final, hedonistic hurrah for the 35mm adult feature. It represents a time when adult films were still screened in theaters, attended by couples, and reviewed by mainstream critics. The film’s leisurely pace and dedication to plot reflect a time when the audience was expected to stay for the duration, rather than skip to specific acts via digital scrubbing.
(14th century) and its tradition of "fabliaux"—bawdy, comedic tales often involving sex and trickery. The 1985 Film The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -Classic-
The Lord and Lady: A story involving noble infidelity and a lady-in-waiting.
Key Characters (Archetypes)
- The Wife of Bath: Dominant, experienced, lusty. Often the narrator of the most outrageous tale.
- The Miller: Drunken, brawny, low-comic relief.
- The Knight: Straight man, chivalrous but easily seduced.
- The Pardoner: Sleazy, selling fake relics and seducing villagers.
- The Nun: “Innocent” foil who quickly abandons piety.
Chaucer's original tales are a masterclass in satire, poking fun at the social norms and hypocrisies of his time. From the bawdy adventures of "The Miller's Tale" to the pious reflections of "The Wife of Bath's Tale," Chaucer's characters leap to life on the page, their stories infused with a ribald humor that continues to shock and delight readers to this day. You're referring to a classic book
Loosely framing itself around Geoffrey Chaucer’s classic literature, the film follows a group of noblemen and women on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. To pass the time, they engage in a wager: each traveler must tell their most erotic tale, with the winner receiving a purse of 20 pence.
The film features a "who's who" of adult stars from the mid-80s: Hyapatia Lee The Wife of Bath: Dominant, experienced, lusty
The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) isn't a replacement for reading the text, nor is it a high-brow cinematic masterpiece. However, as a piece of 80s exploitation-adjacent cinema, it provides a colorful, unapologetic, and genuinely funny look at the stories that have kept audiences laughing for over 600 years. If you enjoy period pieces that don't take themselves too seriously, this 1985 classic is a journey worth taking.
