The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury 1985 Classic Updated Portable Jun 2026

The 1985 cast was stellar, featuring iconic performers of the era, including: Peter North Colleen Brennan (Sharon Kelly) Mike Horner Buffy Davis Beverly Bliss

Features adult industry icons like Mike Horner , Peter North , and Colleen Brennan (as the Wife of Bath).

Upon its initial release in 1985, The Ribald Tales of Canterbury was banned in the United Kingdom for 18 months. The BBFC called it "a direct assault on the nation’s literary heritage." The Chicago Tribune dubbed it "Sodom and Gomorrah on a horse cart."

The release includes a commentary track with director Bud Lee and a video interview, offering insight into the production, per The Disc Connected . the ribald tales of canterbury 1985 classic updated

When released in 1985, mainstream critics largely dismissed the film as mere exploitation. However, contemporary film scholars view it through a different lens. The Ribald Tales of Canterbury is now recognized as a prime example of how classical literature can be democratized and repurposed for counterculture audiences.

Synth soundtracks, over-the-top fashion, and 80s-flavored "medieval" lighting.

The 1985 classic often forgot it was based on Chaucer. An update would lean into the literature—but viciously subvert it. Imagine the "Wife of Bath" reimagined as a polyamorous lifestyle influencer live-streaming her pilgrimage. Imagine the "Pardoner" as a televangelist selling crypto-indulgences. By updating the tales to critique 2020s greed, vanity, and hypocrisy, the film would become what the 1985 version wanted to be: a timeless satire using filth as a vehicle for truth. The 1985 cast was stellar, featuring iconic performers

Upon its release, the film was largely ignored by mainstream critics and dismissed by literary scholars as a cheap exploitation of Chaucer's genius. However, over the decades, the film has found a niche audience among cult cinema enthusiasts.

: The 2K scan brings out details in the rented MGM costumes (some reportedly from Excalibur ) and the pastoral California locations that stood in for the English countryside.

The film features heavy diffusion filters, bright neon pink and blue lighting schemes, and highly stylized, synth-heavy soundtracks. When released in 1985, mainstream critics largely dismissed

The 1985 updated edition of The Ribald Tales of Canterbury caused a stir upon its release, generating both praise and criticism. While some reviewers lauded the book's clever writing and incisive social commentary, others condemned it as obscene and tasteless.

What makes this classic stand out in the 1985 landscape is its surprisingly high production value. While many films of the era were moving toward cheap, "gonzo" styles, The Ribald Tales maintained a sense of period-appropriate costuming and set design. The vignettes were structured around a group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, each taking turns to tell a story that usually ended in a sexual encounter. This structure allowed the film to experiment with different tones, ranging from the farcical to the surprisingly romantic.

For fans of cult cinema or those simply curious about a unique, big-budget take on Chaucer, The Ribald Tales of Canterbury is an essential watch. Thanks to the painstaking efforts of Vinegar Syndrome and Peekarama, the 1985 classic has been respectfully updated for the modern era. The 2025 restoration offers a pristine, vibrant, and definitive version of this bawdy classic.