The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -classic- |verified| Link

: It is often sold as a double feature alongside another 1985 film, Tasty , through boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome . A Blu-ray edition was recently released in early 2025.

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.

: Compare the film’s "storytelling contest" on the road to Canterbury with Chaucer’s original "General Prologue". The "Hostess" Character

The production features a prominent ensemble cast of the 1980s adult industry: The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) - IMDb

"The Ribald Tales of Canterbury -1985-" stands as a testament to the enduring, often raucous, appeal of Chaucer's, showing that the tales told on that road to Canterbury are just as engagingly bawdy today as they were over 600 years ago. The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -Classic-

For researchers and collectors of vintage erotica, the film is notable for its ambitious structure and its attempt to elevate standard adult fare with a classic literary framing device. While it may not possess the mainstream crossover success of some 1970s adult classics, its unique blend of medieval farce and 1980s aesthetics secures its place in the broader history of explicit filmmaking.

She met a clerk upon the Canterbury road, Who carried a scroll and a heavy load Of Latin texts and holy prayers— But she cared only for his nether stairs.

: Acts as the Hostess and appears in various tales. Mike Horner : Stars as the Knight. Colleen Brennan (Sharon Kelly) : Portrays the Lady of Bath.

Today, The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) is viewed primarily through the lens of cult film preservation. It stands as a prime example of the "adult comedy-fantasy" subgenre that flourished briefly before the industry completely transitioned to straight-to-video gonzo formats. : It is often sold as a double

stands as a definitive artifact from the Golden Age of Adult Cinema, seamlessly merging the bawdy spirit of Middle English literature with the unapologetic, high-production erotica of the mid-1980s . Directed by Bud Lee and written by and starring adult film icon Hyapatia Lee , this ambitious X-rated comedy takes a highly stylized, playful approach to Geoffrey Chaucer’s legendary 14th-century framing narrative. Produced under the banner of the Caballero Control Corporation (CCC) , the film features exceptionally ornate sets, vivid period costuming, and a star-studded ensemble cast from the era. Far from a micro-budget feature, its status as an adult classic was cemented by three AVN Award nominations and a subsequent high-definition 2K restoration by boutique distributor Vinegar Syndrome . The Premise: Chaucer’s Pilgrimage Reimagined

Virtually ignored by mainstream critics. Variety dismissed it as “barely animated burlesque.” The LA Times mentioned it only in a roundup of “video nasties.” Conservative groups called it “depraved,” which only boosted its rental numbers.

Look up on online retailers like Amazon, Abebooks, or eBay. You can filter by publication year and sometimes find detailed descriptions of the book.

What makes the 1985 version remarkable is its fidelity to the spirit of Chaucer. The dialogue is not modern slang; it is delivered in a campy, pseudo-Elizabethan patois. Characters yell things like, “By my troth, thy beard doth hide a lecher’s chin!” before ripping each other’s corsets off. The 1980s was a decade of transition; the

The "ribald" nature of Chaucer’s stories has led to a wide range of adaptations throughout the 20th century. Filmmakers and playwrights have often been drawn to the earthy, human quality of the tales:

For decades, the film was out of print due to music rights (they used a unauthorized synth track mimicking Carl Stalling and Frank Zappa). In 2018, the boutique label released a 2K restoration from the only surviving 35mm print. The Blu-ray (unrated) includes:

A group of noble men and women travel across the British countryside toward Canterbury. To pass the time, they engage in a contest to see who can tell the most scandalous and "bawdy" erotic tale for a prize.