Details
Movie Description
Director Rob Reiner breathes vividly colored cinematic life into William Goldman's THE PRINCESS BRIDE, effectively evoking the wondrous, wide-eyed spirit of the witty 1973 novel. When a sick boy (Fred Savage) receives a visit from his doting grandfather (Peter Falk) who intends to read to him from his favorite book, he's not exactly pleased to be extracted from his world of video games. However, his mood quickly changes as he, along with the viewer, is transported to a place out of time--to Florin, a kingdom in the ultimate imaginary land, complete with dashing heroes, cowardly princes, rhyming giants, shrieking eels, rodents of unusual size, fancy swordfights, and yes...even some kissing.
The lovely Buttercup (Robin Wright) learns that "As you wish" really means "I love you" when she falls for her charming farmhand, Westley (Cary Elwes). While trying to seek his fortune, however, Westley disappears at sea, an apparent victim of the Dread Pirate Roberts, who takes no prisoners. A few years later, Buttercup, engaged to the oily Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), is kidnapped by an oddball trio of rogues--brains, Vizzini (Wallace Shawn); brawn, Fezzik (André the Giant); and sword, Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin in a standout performance). As they sail away toward the Cliffs of Insanity, they notice the pursuit of a man in black...and the adventure begins. A clever fairy tale for all ages, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is arguably one of the funniest and most entertaining films of all time.
Synopsis
Once upon a time, a feisty old grandfather told his bedridden grandson a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale... In the mythical kingdom of Florin, farm boy Westley rides off one day to make his fortune, leaving his true love, Buttercup, waiting patiently behind. Unfortunately, his ship is beset by pirates, and Buttercup grieves for many years, believing Westley dead. She reluctantly agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, knowing that she will never love him. Humperdinck has his own plans for the marriage, however--he intends to have Buttercup kidnapped and murdered in order to set off a border war that will strengthen his power. But she is eventually rescued by a mysterious pirate, who turns out to be Westley in disguise. Their reunion does not last long, though, and the pair must face numerous obstacles before they can live happily ever after.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: September 25, 1987.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE was screened at the 1987 Toronto Festival of Festivals and London Film Festival.
Shot at Lee International Studios in Shepperton, England, and in Ireland. Filming began August 1986, and was completed December 1986.
Estimated budget: $16 million.
Author William Goldman also wrote the screenplay for THE PRINCESS BRIDE.
The film features early starring roles for Cary Elwes and Robin Wright.
Wright later married actor-director Sean Penn, changing her name to Robin Wright Penn.
Christopher Guest (Count Rugen) plays Nignel Tufnel in director Rob Reiner's THIS IS SPINAL TAP.
The hat of Marty DiBergi (Reiner) from THIS IS SPINAL TAP appears on the boy's (Fred Savage) bedpost.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE features the first (and only) sizeable film role for professional wrestler André the Giant. It's his only major appearance playing a character other than himself.
Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits composed the music for the film.
Industry Reviews
"...At heart, PRINCESS BRIDE celebrates the power of true love to triumph over adversity..."
Variety - Jagr. (09/16/1987)
"...THE PRINCESS BRIDE is a fun, sad, scary, witty fairy tale featuring the greatest performance ever given by a professional wrestler, the late Andre the Giant..."
Entertainment Weekly - Marc Bernardin (09/14/2001)
"Reiner's beautifully crafted fairytale pastiche still represents one of the high points of US comedy in the 1980s..."
Sight and Sound - Danny Leigh (02/01/2001)
"...Rob Reiner's uncategorisable blend of action, romance, spoof, swashbuckler and fairytale is purely and simply a corking movie..."
Total Film - Ceri Thomas (05/01/2000)
"...Sweetness and sincerity....A delightful cast and a cheery, earnest style that turns out to be ever more disarming..."
New York Times - p.C10 - Janet Maslin
5 stars out of 5 -- "It was influential...the current crop of fractured fairy tales clearly owe a great debt to its groundbreaking balancing act of melodramatic pastiche, light-hearted send-up and the simple delights of a good yarn well told."
Total Film - Neil Smith (11/01/2008)
5 stars out of 5 -- "More swashbuckling than Errol Flynn, more romantic than Casablanca, funnier than virtually everything, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is -- like MARY POPPINS -- practically perfect in every way."
Empire - Helen O'Hara (12/01/2008)
Quotations
"Farm boy, fill these with water...please."--Buttercup (Robin Wright)
"As you wish."--Westley (Cary Elwes)
"Is this a kissing book?"--Grandson (Fred Savage) to his grandfather (Peter Falk)
"I won't be seeing you again, since I'm killing myself once we reach the honeymoon suite."--Buttercup to the king (Willoughby Gray)
"Won't that be nice..."--The king, obviously senile
"No more rhymes now...I mean it!"--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn)
"Anybody want a peanut?"--Fezzik (André the Giant)
"Inconceivable!"--Vizzini
"I admit it...you are better than I am."--Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), regarding Westley's swordfighting technique
"Then why are you smiling?"--Westley
"Because I know something you don't know."--Inigo
"And what is that?"--Westley
"I...am not left-handed!"--Inigo, as he shifts his sword to his right hand
"You are amazing!"--Westley
"I ought to be...after 20 years."--Inigo
"Oh, there's something I ought to tell you."--Westley
"Tell me."--Inigo
"I'm not left-handed either."--Westley
"There's a shortage of perfect breasts in the world. It'd be a pity to damage yours."--Westley to Buttercup
"Have fun storming the castle!"--Miracle Max (Billy Crystal)
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."--Inigo to Count Rugen (Christopher Guest)
"Grandpa, maybe you could come over and read it again tomorrow?"--Grandson
"As you wish."--Grandfather
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