The Princess Bride- A True Classic!

The Princess Bride Movie Poster

I was on a roll last month with my sentimental favourites, so here is my next one.  The Princess Bride was the first movie I saw with my husband in 1987.  Much better than our second date movie, Fatal Attraction!  The Squire, as I call him in my blog, wondered what kind of a movie I had taken him to, as it seemed to be a children's flick at first.  He also ate an enormous amount of popcorn, as I recall.
But this has turned into a film which I have to pop in the DVD player at least once a year, and if it comes on TV, I have to leave it on and watch it.  Twenty-three years later, it holds up beautifully, with only a few special effects looking a bit cheesy (the rodents of unusual size for example).

"Is this a kissing book?"

The Grandson: A book?
Grandpa: That's right. When I was your age, television was called books. And this is a special book. It was the book my father used to read to me when I was sick, and I used to read it to your father. And today I'm gonna read it to you.
The Grandson: Has it got any sports in it?
Grandpa: Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...
The Grandson: Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake.
Grandpa: Oh, well, thank you very much, very nice of you. Your vote of confidence is overwhelming.

This film appeals to men and women (despite the girly title) and young and old alike.   It is a light-hearted fantasy, an adaptation of the tongue in cheek book of the same name, and directed by the fantastic Rob Reiner, whose comic sense is perfect for this.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die"

So many wonderful actors in this.  Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, the revenge crazed swordsman, Carey Elwes as young Westley, Robin Wright as Buttercup/The Princess Bride, Chris Sarandon (Susan's ex) as Prince Humperdinck, and Christopher Guest (husband of Jamie Lee Curtis) as the Count Rugen, the six-fingered man.

"You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles."

Billy Crystal had one of his best roles ever as Miracle Max.  Wallace Shawn also shone as the lisping Vizzini and Andre the Giant was a lovely gentle giant in his role as Fezzik.

That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you."

Fencing Scene
Inigo Montoya: You are wonderful.
Man in Black: Thank you; I've worked hard to become so.
Inigo Montoya: I admit it, you are better than I am.
Man in Black: Then why are you smiling?
Inigo Montoya: Because I know something you don't know.
Man in Black: And what is that?
Inigo Montoya: I... am not left-handed.
[Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage]
Man in Black: You are amazing.
Inigo Montoya: I ought to be, after 20 years.
Man in Black: Oh, there's something I ought to tell you.
Inigo Montoya: Tell me.
Man in Black: I'm not left-handed either.
[Moves his sword to his right hand and regains his advantage]

"As you wish..."

So if you haven't seen this, buy it!  It's cheap and you'll watch it a lot.  And for the rest of you who are already fans of The Princess Bride...

"Have fun stormin' the castle!"