The Ribald Tales of Canterbury is a 1985 adult adventure-comedy film directed by Bud Lee and written by Hyapatia Lee
Filth and Folklore: Recontextualizing Chaucer in Bud Lee’s 1985 "Ribald Tales" 1. Introduction Contextual Background : Briefly introduce Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -Classic-
A group of pilgrims (a Knight, a Miller, a Wife of Bath, a Pardoner, etc.) travel to Canterbury. To pass the time, they tell “ribald” stories—each an excuse for increasingly absurd sexual escapades. The framing device is loose; expect anachronisms, puns, and exaggerated medieval stereotypes. The Ribald Tales of Canterbury is a 1985
, the film stands as one of the last big-budget adult features shot on 35mm film before the industry’s widespread shift to video. Core Overview Release Year: Bud Lee (his directorial debut) Hyapatia Lee, Mike Horner, Colleen Brennan, and Peter North The framing device is loose; expect anachronisms, puns,
, the film follows a group of noblemen and women on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. To pass the time, they engage in a contest where each traveler wagers 20 pence to see who can tell the most "bawdy" or erotic story. This framing device allows for a series of vignettes that range from comedic to purely erotic, often featuring 15th-century English settings infused with 1980s stylistic flourishes. Key Cast and Production
What truly separates The Ribald Tales of Canterbury from its contemporaries is its ambition. Shot on , the production features surprisingly ornate sets and costumes—many of which were reportedly rented from Universal and originally used for major mainstream epics like Excalibur . The result is a film that, according to reviewers on Letterboxd , feels far more cinematic than your average adult feature, complete with actual outdoor locations and a "goofy" but memorable synth score. The Legacy of a "Date Night" Classic The Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) - IMDb