William Goldman’s novel The Princess Bride delighted me when I read it decades ago. It was a sly framed story of swashbuckling adventures that made fun of storytelling conventions. Then, years later the movie version of The Princess Bride arrived and it was as good as the incredible book. Director Rob Reiner translated Goldman’s screenplay into something magical. Grandpa (Peter Falk) reads The Princess Bride to his jaded grandson (Fred Savage). Slowly, the young boy is drawn into the story of a stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), who pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright). But then Wesley is abducted and allegedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. And then Buttercup is kidnapped by a giant, a criminal genius, and a master Spanish swordsman. A masked pirate follows in pursuit. The plot sparkles with surprises and reversals. In my quest to upgrade my movie collection to Blu-rays, this movie went near the top of the list. If you haven’t seen The Princess Bride, I envy you what you will see when you finally view it. For those of you who have seen The Princess Bride on ordinary DVD, you’ll want to view it again in Blu-ray format. It’s dazzling! GRADE: A
I remember being alerted to the book PRINCESS BRIDE in DAPA-EM decades (as you said) ago, then dragging my unwilling friends to the movie, which was advertised as a STAR WARS clone.They all loved it!
I’d be hard pressed to express a preference between the movie version of THE PRINCESS BRIDE and the original book, Dan. I love both of them!
I have never seen this movie. I will have to remedy that.
You’ll love THE PRINCESS BRIDE, Patti!
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Yes, Bill, Mandy Patinkin stole every scene he was in.
Bill, you beat me to it. How can you go wrong with Andre the Giant, Many Patinkin and Jeff Smith’s twin (inside joke) Wallace Shawn?
You’re right, Jeff. THE PRINCESS BRIDE had an all-star cast.
Vizzini: HE DIDN’T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
I loved Wallace Shawn in this film, Jeff.
I found the plot so convoluted that I stopped watching half way through and sent it back to Netflix. The fact that I had the flu and was sick and kinda dizzy may have been a factor, but if I can’t tell what is happening to who(m) after half an hour or so why bother slogging on?
THE PRINCESS BRIDE is convoluted on purpose, Rick. It’s a send-up of narrative story-telling. You should try it again someday when you’re not sick or dizzy.
Nope, I have to get on to PORKY PIG VS. THE ZOMBIE BBQ MASTERS FROM OUTER SPACE.
Interesting choice, Rick.
Love this movie and have had it on Blu-ray for a while now. Also like a similar movie, Stardust, based (mostly) on the Neil Gaiman book, which I also love. I have that as a British import Blu-ray from before it was available over here (it was cheaper too). I found them very similar in tone.
I don’t think I’ve seen STARDUST, Stan. I’ll have to track down the book and the movie!
STARDUST was OK but on a lower level, and the book was better. (IMHO)
I’ve enjoyed most of Neil Gaiman’s books, Jeff. I’ll have to find a copy of STARDUST.