Detailed item info | 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.
| | Credits | | Producer: | Rob Reiner | | Cast: | André the Giant, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Wallace Shawn |
| | 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.
| | Editorial 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)
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