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IMDb > A Canterbury Tale (1944)

A Canterbury Tale (1944) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   1,444 votes
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Writers:
Michael Powell (written by) &
Emeric Pressburger (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for A Canterbury Tale on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 January 1949 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | War more
Tagline:
Four modern pilgrims in a story of today - yet away from war.
Plot:
A 'Land Girl', an American GI, and a British soldier find themselves together in a small Kent town on the road to Canterbury... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
I recant. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Eric Portman ... Thomas Colpeper, JP
Sheila Sim ... Alison Smith
Dennis Price ... Peter Gibbs
Sergeant John Sweet ... Bob Johnson (as Sergt. John Sweet, U.S. Army)
Esmond Knight ... Narrator (non-US versions) / Seven-Sisters Soldier / Village Idiot
Charles Hawtrey ... Thomas Duckett
Hay Petrie ... Woodcock
George Merritt ... Ned Horton
Edward Rigby ... Jim Horton
Freda Jackson ... Prudence Honeywood
Betty Jardine ... Fee Baker
Eliot Makeham ... Organist
Harvey Golden ... Sergt. Roczinsky
Leonard Smith ... Leslie
James Tamsitt ... Terry
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Additional Details

Runtime:
124 min | USA:95 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
UK:U | Spain:7
Company:
Archers, The more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
On the 19th September 2007, 'A Canterbury Tale' became the first film ever to be projected to an audience in Canterbury Cathedral and was shown as a fund-raising event to pay for repairs to the cathedral caused by WW2 bomb damage. more
Quotes:
Thomas Colpeper, JP: Well, there are more ways than one of getting close to your ancestors. Follow the old road, and as you walk, think of them and of the old England. They climbed Chillingbourne Hill, just as you. They sweated and paused for breath just as you did today... more
Movie Connections:
Featured in A Canterbury Trail (2006) (V) more

FAQ

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20 out of 24 people found the following comment useful:-
I recant., 22 January 2001
10/10
Author: Spleen from Canberra, Australia

Just a brief note to say that I was wrong. Subsequent viewings have revealed to me that John Sweet's character doesn't ruin the film; I don't know why he seemed at first to dominate, but he actually moves on and off centre stage with remarkable grace. I certainly can't claim that he takes up too much screen time in Canterbury. His acting, and the character portrayed, have grown on me; I now find both charming. (The key is to realise that he's more modest and unassuming than his accent may lead you to suppose - although, judging from some comments, some people were never led to be mistaken on this point; perhaps it was just me.)

The scenes before Canterbury, entrancing enough the first time around, also reveal more of their magic on second and third acquaintance. Could this turn out to be Powell and Pressburger's best work...? On reflection, certainly not, but that's only because of the extremely strong competition.

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Related Links

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