Powell and Pressburger's pilgrimage

For too long I've only seen Powell and Pressburger's Technicolor epics such as "The Red Shoes" and "The Tales of Hoffmann" and while they are fun to watch, ultimately they come off very dated and awkward in places. I had begun to think all of the Brit directing duo's films were like this, but then "A Canterbury Tale" came my way.\nTaking Chaucer's story and adapting it for the then modern times of England, Powell and Pressburger place three journeyers -- an American soldier, a British officer and village girl -- on a quest from Kent to Canterbury during World War II. When they reach Kent though, the chances of them making it to the fabled destination seems grim as they're hopelessly caught up in a series of village crimes that, while not murders, are far from normal criminal activity. \nGranted "Canterbury" is just as much of a fantasy as their other movies, with this P&P are doing something different. Working in black & white means the directors hadn't the chance to use the wild color schemes they'd become popular for. Instead much of the film uses a noirish atmosphere ripped right out of a Hollywood picture then adapted for a village instead of the city. \nTheir actors are just as important as all three of the "pilgrims" turn in outstanding performances, especially Sheila Sim and Sgt. John Sweet, the latter I was surprised to learn was an actual American soldier during WWII when he tried out for the part and obviously landed it.\nHaving released plenty of P&P films already, this time the Criterion Collection finds a film with a bevy of supplemental materials to choose from. Film historian Ian Christie lends his voice to yet another commentary track as he has long been the source for facts and figures of interest when it comes to the work of P&P. In addition to the film, we're also given excerpts from the American version which Powell was forced to re-edit upon release in the States. \nOn the second disc four documentaries are provided. "A Pilgrim's Return" chronicles Sweet's participation before and after the movie was made while "A Canterbury Trail" returns to the many locations used in the film. The other two docs, both going by the name "Listen to Britain," are pieces from 1942 and 2001 that you must see for yourself. The booklet as usual comes with plenty of essays but most importantly a loving tribute by Sweet himself. \nI'm sure this isn't the last Criterion treatment we've seen a Powell and Pressburger film receive. One can hope that "The 49th Parallel" isn't too far down the road.