Another kind of pilgrim walks the way

[sovay]

Oh, thank God someone who is neither me nor poliphilo is writing intelligently about A Canterbury Tale (1944):

The film harks back to a time of glory, the old pilgrims on the ancient road, while simultaneously reminding us that there was no time of glory, or rather that every time is a time of glory, that we live in flux and that's OK. The only world is the one that's here, bashed about and bent out of shape, and the only heroes are the people around us, frail and fearful and coping as best they can. Powell and Pressburger's pilgrims have a hat-full of troubles and no idea where they're going. They strive and they falter and leave very little trace. But along the way, they receive blessings. They come stumbling through the ruins to find salvation inside abandoned caravans and hear the voices of angels in the train whistle's yelp.

Xan Brooks, "A pilgrim's progress: on the trail of A Canterbury Tale."

Comments

[sovay]

I think it's reputation is growing. It used to be a forgotten film. Now it's a cult.

I am all right with that! I'd love someday to see it in theaters in as fine a restoration as The Red Shoes.