There was a specific sub-genre of "historical romps" in the 80s that has mostly disappeared. This film stands as a primary example of that lost style of adult-themed comedy. Comparing it to the Source Material
Geoffrey Chaucer himself was no stranger to "ribaldry." Tales like The Miller’s Tale or The Reeve’s Tale are famously crude, involving elaborate pranks and bathroom humor. In a strange way, the 1985 film honors the spirit of the original text’s more scandalous chapters, even if it ignores the poetic nuance. It reminds us that even 600 years ago, people loved a good, dirty joke. Final Verdict The Ribald Tales Of Canterbury -1985- -Classic-
The film doesn't take itself seriously. It leans into the absurdity of medieval tropes, featuring bumbling knights, unfaithful wives, and mischievous friars. It’s a farce in the truest sense. There was a specific sub-genre of "historical romps"