Rating: 
Summary: A pleasure to see
Review: My apology. I am the same guy who commented on the quality of the DVD. I have made one mistake. Pasolini chose a mainly English cast when he made this film. Therefore, either the Italian or the English version is dubbed, thus making no difference or importance to the 'orginality'. But of course, it would be perfect if Image Entertainment could provide a DVD with both choices. Now I want to comment on the film itself.Pasolini's THE CANTERBURY TALES is the second part of the 'Trilogy of Life'. This time Pasolini plays Chaucer who jots down the stories told by the pilgims on the way to Canterbury, which is by all means a more convincing character to link up the tales than Giotto the painter in THE DECAMERON, who has nothing to do with Boccaccio, and only appears in the middle of the film. This is a clear improvement from THE DECAMERON in terms of presentation. (THE ARABIAN NIGHTS is even better in showing the most complex cobweb-like story-within-story structure, but this is not to be discussed here.) The tales Pasolini has picked up are all very interesting for-adults-only entertainment, often daringly making fun out of farting and even pissing! Though transition from one tale to another appears to be too abrupt sometimes, the conculsion can let audience forgive everything, as Chaucer (Pasolini) writes, 'Here end the Canterbury Tales, told only for the pleasure of telling them. Amen.' Amen - a word that effectively connects the 'hell' scene (Judgement Day) with the final scene of the pilgrimage. It seems that Pasolini intentionally makes no connection among the tales, as he has done none in THE DECAMERON either.
Rating: 
Summary: Avoid It.
Review: There have been a several great Italian directors. Pasolini is not among them. There have been many great Italian films. This is not one of them. As is typical of Pasolini, he borrows very loosely from a famous literary source to create a mishmash of bad acting, bad direction, bad scenic design, and bad direction. There ARE bad films which can be extremely entertaining. This is not one of them, either.
Rating: 
Summary: Pasolinis Canterbury Tales is a classic!
Review: What Pasolini has been able to accomplish in his rendition of Canterbury Tales is to bring it alive. The six stories that he picked are all entertaining and clever. The acting is superb and the use of non-stars actually adds to the realism. This is probably the best part of the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Chaucer's Tales Brought to Life
Review: Writer and director Pasolini presents a selection of Chaucer's stories, most notably The Wife of Bath and The Miller's Tale. The Canterbury Tales is not without its weaknesses. The quality of the acting is variable (the dubbing doesn't help), and the editing is rough. Some stories end/start so abruptly that it takes you by surprise. However, I can forgive this film almost anything. For me, the atmosphere and feel it conveys far outweigh any faults it may have. Pasolini has recreated Chaucer's lusty medieval world with an earthy realism, exuberance, and zest for life in a way that few other directors could have managed. People who are easily shocked should beware. Pasolini has concentrated on the bawdier aspects of the tales, and added few of his own for good measure. It all combines to give The Canterbury Tales a wonderful hedonistic quality. The finale, a vivid depiction of Hell, makes for a superbly appropriate ending.
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