Overview
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.
Awards:
Main Cast & Crew:
Rob Reiner - Director
Cary Elwes
Mandy Patinkin
Robin Wright
Chris Sarandon
Christopher Guest
Wallace Shawn
Andre the Giant
Fred Savage
Peter Falk
Peter Cook
Details
- Format: DVD (Repackaged)
- Color Format: Color
- UPC: 883904360230
- Genre: HORROR / SCI-FI / FANTASY
- Rating: PG (MPAA)
- Release Date: September 2017
Movie Reviews
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.
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 Dire Straits composed the music for the film.
Reviews:
"...Sweetness and sincerity....A delightful cast and a cheery, earnest style that turns out to be ever more disarming..."
- 09/25/1987 New York Times, p.C10
"...At heart, PRINCESS BRIDE celebrates the power of true love to triumph over adversity..." - 09/16/1987 Variety
"...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..." - 09/14/2001 Entertainment Weekly, p.71
"Reiner's beautifully crafted fairytale pastiche still represents one of the high points of US comedy in the 1980s..." - 02/01/2001 Sight and Sound, p.64
"...Rob Reiner's uncategorisable blend of action, romance, spoof, swashbuckler and fairytale is purely and simply a corking movie..." - 05/01/2000 Total Film, p.118
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." - 11/01/2008 Total Film, p.146-147
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." - 12/01/2008 Empire, p.211
5 stars out of 5 -- "After 30 years, the wit, fun, charm and idealism are fresher than ever." - 10/23/2017 The Guardian
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