Review of Canterbury Tales (Animated)

Introduction

These stories may well be familiar possibly from school study or the recent excellent BBC series of modernised Canterbury Tales.

This production was originally shown on the BBC in 1998 and is aimed at students between 10 and 14. It includes English subtitles on the version I have although the publicity suggests there are Welsh and Middle English versions available.

Part One Leaving London includes the Nun`s Priest, Knight`s Tales and The Wife of Bath`s Tale. Part Two: Arriving at Canterbury includes the Merchant`s Tale, the Pardoner`s Tale and the Franklin`s Tale. Part Three: The Journey Back has The Squire`s Tale, The Canon Servant`s Tale and The Miller and the Reeve`s Tale.

The animation is presented in a variety of styles ranging from simple line drawings to the elaborate stop-motion.

There is a long list of cast at the end of each section but they are not attributed to each part. The late great Bob Peck is the voice of Geoffrey Chaucer and other distinguished British actors play various parts.

Video

The picture is clear with no obvious defects. The quality is good with some excellent animation in all its variety.

Audio

The addition of some very expressive voices adds a new dimension to the animation. The script is witty and each story is entertaining.

Features

There is a biography of Chaucer and notes on his tales and historical context.

Conclusion

This is a fun presentation of the Canterbury tales There is nothinh too controversial in them although they are `bawdy` and have references to sex so they are not really for very young children. They would be a useful study aid for older students and offer a bit of light relief as Chaucer gets lumped in with Shakespeare as being `boring`. They are much better for being performed whether as animation or other interpretation as it is in the performance that the construction and humour is exposed. (Please excuse all the previous puns but I`m sure Chaucer would approve).

Overall these are enjoyable and well made adaptations of classic tales that will go down well as study aids.