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The Ribald Tales of Canterbury

The Ribald Tales of Canterbury

Released Sep 01st, 1986
Running Time 90
Director Bud Lee
Company Caballero
Cast Hyapatia Lee, Beverly Bliss, Cheri Garner, Page Turner, Bud Lee, Mike Horner, Colleen Brennan, Debra Lynn, Jessie Eastern
Critical Rating AAAA
Genre Film

Rating


Reviews

Hyapatia Lee's hardcore adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a milestone adult movie for a number of reasons. First, it would not make Chaucer roll over in his grave; in fact, he might be charmed, as I am, at the style, humor and grace of this film. Second, from the extraordinary quality of the productions, one would have to guess that it is one of the (if not the) highest budget adult movies made to date.

The third reason is the cinematography. Guido is listed as the director of photography and he should have come out of the nom-de-porn closet for this effort. It is opulently shot with the camera framing period tableaus that are like paintings on the screen. Then there are the costumes, sets, music and acting – bravo everyone – and especially bravo Hyapatia for a literate script and a fine performance.

Last, but not least is the sex. The four erotic tales that are told by the travelers to pass the time on the pilgrimage are imaginative little gems that lead into the sex scenes flowingly. In the tale of how the wife (Stevie Taylor) and daughter (Page Turner) of a greedy miller repay two students (Tony Martin, Marc Wallace) cheated by the fat, drunken grinder of grain, there is a sexy eating scene (a la Tom Jones and Ten Little Maidens) in which the two women lasciviously lick, nibble and swallow all sorts of suggestive tidbits of food. They are answered by the young men's equally provocative sucking, squeezing and slurping. There ensues a fun foursome. Special noe: Stevie Taylor as the miller's wife is a terrific piece of casting. She is as voluptuous and statuesque as a medieval painting would depict her.

The story of how the gypsy violin got its sobbing sound is a gem as well. It leads to a three-way with Hyapatia and the two beautiful young men she loves (Jon Martin, Peter North). It is done with both fire and tenderness.

I won't go on because each scene merits discussion and there isn't room. The few small flaws do not merit mentioning. Let me say that the casting for the most part is excellent. Colleen Breenan is perfect as the Lady of Bath, and the period music and costumes are done with care. The production, as a whole, marks a new high for adult film.



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