The Criterion Collection: Trilogy of Life Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection’s Trilogy of Life brings together Pier Paolo Pasolini’s adaptations of The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and Arabian Nights on three Blu-ray discs. The listing gives a combined runtime of nearly six hours, with Italian audio and English subtitles, making this a substantial collection for viewers interested in Pasolini’s literary adaptations and provocative style.

At a glance

Three Pasolini films adapt The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and The Thousand and One Nights.
The listing specifies Italian audio with English subtitles for the films.
The collection spans 5 hours and 52 minutes across three discs.
Customer feedback describes the collection as original and among Pasolini’s notable works.

Price

$39.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$79.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Collects all three films in a single three-disc Blu-ray set.
English subtitles are listed for the Italian-language films.
The three adaptations offer varied literary sources and settings, from Boccaccio and Chaucer to The Thousand and One Nights.

Cons

The films are presented in Italian with English subtitles, which may not suit viewers seeking English-language audio.
The listing describes bawdy, sexually provocative material and irreverent treatment of religious themes, so the content may not suit every viewer.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Edition and playback
Format	Blu-ray
Number of discs	3
Language	Italian
Subtitles	English
Aspect ratio	1.85:1
Rating	NR (Not Rated)

Films and running time
Collection runtime	5 hours and 52 minutes
The Decameron runtime	111 minutes
Arabian Nights runtime	130 minutes

Credits and release
Director and contributor	Pier Paolo Pasolini
Studio	Criterion Collection
Release date	November 13, 2012
Model number	CRRN2191BR

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 10.72 ounces

What to know before buying

The product description gives individual running times of 111, 111, and 130 minutes, which total 5 hours and 52 minutes as stated for the collection. It describes English subtitles and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio for each film.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers seeking Pasolini’s adaptations of classic literary works in one Blu-ray collection.
Collectors who want Italian-language films with English subtitles.
Adults comfortable with bawdy humor, sexual themes, and irreverent religious satire.

Less suited to

Viewers who need English-language audio or prefer films without explicit or provocative subject matter.
Buyers looking for modern, family-oriented adaptations of these stories.

The Criterion Collection: Trilogy of Life Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 164 ratings

5 stars86%86%
4 stars7%7%
3 stars3%3%
2 stars2%2%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback describes the collection as original and among Pasolini’s notable works, with comments emphasizing its unusual scenes and imaginative impact. That praise may matter to viewers drawn to distinctive literary adaptations, while the films’ stated bawdy and provocative content is a separate consideration when deciding whether their style fits your preferences.

Positive themes

Customers describe the collection as a standout among Pasolini’s works.
Feedback mentions originality and distinctive interpretations of the stories.

Frequently asked questions

Which films are included?

The set collects The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and Arabian Nights, directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini.

What language and subtitles are listed?

The films are listed as Italian-language, with English subtitles.

How long is the collection?

The overall runtime is listed as 5 hours and 52 minutes across three discs.

What kind of content should viewers expect?

The product description characterizes the films as bawdy and provocative, with sexual themes, scatological humor, and irreverent religious commentary.