The Canterbury Tales 

Animated adaptation of Chaucer's famous narrative poems, using a variety of groundbreaking animation techniques. On a pilgrimage from London to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, a ... See full summary »

Stars:

Robert Lindsay, Neil Dudgeon, Michael Feast

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robert Lindsay	...	Harry Bailey 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Neil Dudgeon	...	The Miller 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Michael Feast	...	The Summoner 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Tim McInnerny	...	The Pardoner / ... 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Bill Nighy	...	The Merchant 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Billie Whitelaw	...	The Wife of Bath 2 episodes, 1998-2000
John Wood	...	The Knight 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Imelda Staunton	...	The Prioress 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Ronan Vibert	...	The Squire 2 episodes, 1998-2000
David Troughton	...	The Friar 2 episodes, 1998-2000
Bob Peck	...	Geoffrey Chaucer 2 episodes, 1998

Storyline

Animated adaptation of Chaucer's famous narrative poems, using a variety of groundbreaking animation techniques. On a pilgrimage from London to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, a group of travellers from all walks of medieval society recount tales and stories to each other to provide amusement on the journey.

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Plot Keywords:

stop motion | part computer animation | 

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Genres:

Animation

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Did You Know?

Alternate Versions

The series was broadcast in the UK in three languages - English, Welsh and Middle English.

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Connections

Version of The Canterbury Tales (1972)

User Reviews

the Chaucer we deserve

The animation is great of course, and the diverse styles to some extent conjure up the rich pageant of Chaucer's book. What's lost is the classiness of the telling. Chaucer could treat broad subjects without being crass, and equally he could write beautifully on the most elevated of themes. Inevitably, the screenwriter cannot do those things and comes depressingly close to tabloid-ese at times. Equally inevitable I suppose, was the focus on the more lurid, bawdy stories; and it's sad but not surprising that the makers failed to understand the pilgrims' essential sincerity - their foibles notwithstanding. Certainly the claim that the pilgrimage is only 'an excuse' for a holiday shows a fundamental failure to understand the medieval mind. Chaucer did not see it as any such thing.

In short: it's as good as we have any right to expect - no worse, and no better.

Details

Country:

Russia UK

Language:

English Middle English

Release Date:

21 December 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Canterbury Tales

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Wales, Christmas Films, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

28 min (3 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1