The Canterbury Tales

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THE CANTERBURY TALES

GOLDEN BEAR:

BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 1972

The window that once glowed with light

is now darkened.

A sign that my beloved

is unwell.

Her sister comes to the window

and tells me:

"Your beloved is dead

and buried".

She always complained

that she slept alone.

Now she sleeps

in the arms of Death.

After you, please.

No, Mr. Chaucer, after you, please.

It was nothing, sir.

Nothing? You hurt me badly!

You have a nose like a bludgeon.

I was joking. I hope

I did not offend you.

With jests and jokes

many truths can be told.

Im so skilled in the art of weaving,

I can beat all those

b*tches in Ypres and Ghent.

In all modesty I can say...

there's nobody better than me,

especially for quests in church.

And if any woman should try

to get the better of me

Ill make her cry and wish

she'd never been born.

I'll eat her alive!

Three times I went to Jerusalem.

Then Rome, San Jacopo di

Compostela and Cologne.

Im no spring chicken,

but I know how to have fun

and how to make people laugh.

Between you and me,

I also know a few love potions.

Because, my darlings,

I know all the old dances.

Good folks, here are pardons

brought for you straight from Rome.

A piece of the Virgin's veil,

a scrap of Saint Peter's sail,

from when he used to sail,

before Christ taught him

to walk on water.

Radix malorum est cupiditas.

Cupidity is the root of all evil.

Don't be miserly. Come, buy.

Nowhere in the Gospels does

it say we should remain virgins.

What were the genitals made for?

Not to lie there sleeping.

And don't tell me they

were made just for peeing.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Quiet, your attention.

Please, be quiet.

Folks, please...

Gentle folks, truly I welcome you,

from the bottom of my heart.

Because in all these years

I have never seen a finer company.

You take the path to Canterbury.

God be with you and the holy

blessed martyrs will reward you.

But still, as experience is my teacher,

I know that in such a long journey

you may become dreadfully bored.

Therefore accept my friendly advice.

To shorten the way,

each of you will tell a tale

on the road to Canterbury.

I shall be the judge and your guide.

I'll accompany you at my own expense,

until you reach Canterbury.

Does everybody agree?

Listen...

I have decided to be a married man.

No other life is as worthy.

I am convinced

that marriage is paradise.

When a man is old and grey, he

should take a beautiful young wife,

to make an heir,

and live a life of joy and pleasure.

Everyone agrees on this.

Some disagree, of whom

Theophrastus was one,

but who gives a damn

if he enjoyed telling lies?

Make arrangements for

my marriage immediately.

I don't want to wait.

But, dear friends, in no way

I want an old wife.

Because I think

one wants old fish and young flesh.

I'll have no woman of thirty.

That doesn't suit me.

A woman whom went to school

is like half a scholar.

and I don't like them.

F***.

What pretty figures, pretty faces.

By God, what pretty neighbours.

The only problem is choosing.

Hey, why not?

Maggio...

No... better not...

Not bad...

Yes...

Hey brothers, come quickly!

You don't need to search any

longer on foot and horseback.

I have made my decision

and will not reverse it.

I have found my mate,

the solid foundation of my happiness.

I have chosen Maggio.

Come on, brothers.

Make a marriage contract.

Publish the announcement.

My heart needs peace.

My brother, in my heart

I find a deep pity thought

that I must harm her tonight.

I am afraid she will not be able

to bear my assaults.

God doesn't allow that I will

restrain my power.

I wish these guests were gone.

Stop eating, let the dancing begin.

Okay, Father, that's enough.

Hurry up, Father.

Father, hurry.

Go away, all of you!

I must invade you now, my spouse...

and make you suffer

before the pleasure starts.

But remember,

that no craftsman in the world

can do his work well and quickly.

But it doesn't matter

how long our play takes.

We have all the time we want.

Yes, my bride, we have

the law of God and mankind on our side.

I am ready!

I did it!

MY DEAR MAGGIO:

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEAR AND IF I CANNOT MAKE LOVE TO YOU

I WILL DIE:

I want to rest, it is almost day.

I am a little tired. That was

the second time, you know.

You'll see, my Columbine,

how beautiful this garden is.

I doubt that the author of

"Romance della Rosa"

could describe the beauty

of this garden.

Now summer has come again,

and only in this garden

I will do my duty as a husband.

No one but I can enter this garden.

No one holds the key, no one

but myself alone, understand?

I carry it with me always.

Maggio, little wife, lie beside me.

MY DEAR DAMIANO:

I LOVE YOU TOO WITH ALL MY HEAR I WILL MAKE A KEY FOR THE GARDEN

AND THERE WE CAN MAKE LOVE

Somebody help me!

I am blind, you imbeciles!

Maggio, help me, I am blind!

Maggio, where are you?

Ah, there you are.

Where are you going?

From now on I'll hold on to you.

I can't see you, but

I'll never let you go.

Everyone get out!

I don't want anybody!

Leave me alone with Maggio!

Get out, all of you!

Lead me to my garden, my lovely garden.

My garden, I shall never see it again.

This is what happens to the poor Gennaio.

But as compensation,

the moment his wife

is about to dishonour him,

I shall give him back his sight,

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