- BFI identifier25538
- Date1944-09-25 (Release)
- Production countryUnited Kingdom
- Production company
- SynopsisSet in a Kent Village during World War II. Tells the bizarre story of three characters - a land girl, a British Sergeant and a US Sergeant - who arrive by the same train and become friends. They set about trying to unmask the mysterious 'glue man' who pours glue onto the hair of girls out late at night with servicemen. (Synopsis)
- Work historyThe character of Bob's sweetheart played by Kim Hunter appears in US version of the film only in two extra scenes. The following statement appears at the end of the film prior to the cast list: 'The Archers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help and advice given to them by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, the very Reverend the Dean of St. Albans, the Mayor and Corporation of Canterbury, the Women's Land Army, and by the United States Army. They also thank the citizens of Canterbury and men and women of Kent who helped to make the film.' Filming locations: Bridge over Little Stour, Wickhambreaux (Kent, England, UK) Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury (Kent, England, UK) Canterbury (Kent, England, UK) Car Park, George & Dragon (Fordwich, Kent, England, UK) Chilham Mill, Chilham (Kent, England, UK) Chilham Square, Chilham (Kent, England, UK) Chilham (Kent, England, UK) Chilmans Downs, Canterbury (Kent, England, UK) Denham Studio, Denham (Buckinghamshire, England, UK) (studio) Elbridge Farm (Fordwich, Kent, England, UK) Elham Valley Railway (Kent, England, UK) Fordwich Parish Church (Fordwich, Kent, England, UK) Fordwich Town Hall (Fordwich, Kent, England, UK) Fordwich (Kent, England, UK) George & Dragon (Fordwich, Kent, England, UK) Harbledown Junction, Elham Valley Railway (Kent, England, UK) Julliberrie's Grave, Chilham (Kent, England, UK) Kent (England, UK) Old Wye Lane, Chilham (Kent, England, UK) Precinct of Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury (Kent, England, UK) Rockefeller Center, Manhattan (New York City, New York, USA) (American version) School Hill, Chilham, Kent, England, UK) Selling Railway Station, Selling (Kent, England, UK) Selling (Kent, England, UK) Shottenden (Kent, England, UK) St-Martha-on-the-Hill (Surrey, England, UK) The Manor House, Fordwich (Kent, England, UK) The Red Lion Hotel, Canterbury Road, Wingham (Kent, England, UK) Valley of the Nailbourne aka Little Stour (Kent, England, UK) Wickhambreaux Court, The List, Wickhambreaux (Kent, England, UK) Wickhambreaux (Kent, England, UK) Wingham (Kent, England, UK)
- Genre
- CategoryFiction
- Subject
- CreditsDirected by: Michael Powell
Directed by: Emeric Pressburger
Production Company: Archers Film Productions
view all - CastEric Portman (Thomas Colpeper, J.P.)
Sheila Sim (Alison Smith)
Dennis Price (Sergt. Peter Gibbs)
view full cast
Title
A Canterbury Tale (Original)
Canterbury Tales (Working)
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available to view in BFI Reuben Library - Scripts / DocumentsScript - Script type: Screenplay - SCR-5072
Script - Script type: Post production script - SCR-5073
Ephemera: publicity - PBS-25538
Canterbury Tale - Fantasy thriller set in a Kent Village during World War II which tells the bizarre story of three modern day pilgrims -a land girl, a British Sergeant and a US Sergeant - on their way to Canterbury, who arrive by the same train and become friends. They set about trying to unmask the mysterious 'glue man' who pours glue onto the hair of young women out late at night with American servicemen. Written, produced and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger; director of photography: Erwin Hillier; production design: Alfred Junge; cast: Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price, John Sweet, Esmond Knight, Hay Petri, Charles Hawtrey [This quirky story was to be the duo's first critical and financial failure. Set in and around Powell's beloved home county of Kent it was perhaps his most misunderstood film. Its themes of architectural and literary heritage and the natural beauty of the countryside were off-set with a disturbing detective story. Non-professional actor US Sgt John Sweet was the surprise critical succes of the film. It was his only screen appearance, he returned to teaching in America after the war. Alfred Junge had the challenge of representing Canterbury Cathedral on set. The stained glass windows had been removed at the church for the duration of the war, so a monumental set was built at Denham. Not released in the US until 1949 cut by nearly 30 minutes and with an alternative opening which does away with the scene of medieval Canterbury pilgrims to one of John Sweet recounting the events in flashback to his bride Kim Hunter] William Whitebait in 'The New Statesman' commented 'At a time when everybody's nerves are on edge. A Canterbury Tale is as good as a day in the country...I carried away from it an enjoyment that I was loathe to examine too closely' - MLP-1-1-54
Script and Story Development - Script drafts from pre-production to post-production and release c. 1943-1944 - MLP-1-1-54-1
Small pressbook held. See GEORGE BLACKLER Collection. See FILM & TV EPHEMERA.
view all - StillsPhotograph: print - Landscape - Black and White - bfi-00n-r5n
Photograph: print - Landscape - Black and White - bfi-00n-780
Photograph: print - Portrait - Black and White - bfi-00n-0m7
Photograph: publicity - Portrait - Black and White - bfi-00o-113
Photograph: publicity - Portrait - Black and White - bfi-00o-112
view all
- +A Canterbury Tale
Work - 25538 - 1944-09-25 (Release)
United Kingdom - Film - Fiction
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