The film won the Golden Bear at Berlin film festival. Chaucer adapted by Pasolini with a twinkle in his eye. Chaucer is played by the director. The best performances: Hugh Griffith and Alan Webb. Unlike the earlier, Pasolini work in the trilogy "The Decameron" which used lesser known actors, "The Canterbury Tales" used more well known names as actors. In both films Pasolini acts in significant roles.