I loved Princess Bride (1987) seeing it when it first came out and it was only in college that a friend told me to read the book by William Goldman. I reluctantly did so thinking that the brilliance was all in the movie (also written by Goldman), but no, the novel has its own special magic even if you seen the film umpteenth times. The novel is the good parts version of S. Morgenstern’s original published in 1973. Goldman is known as a screenwriter, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), All the President’s Men (1976), yet he wants to be remembered for The Princess Bride! The film is of course directed by Rob Reiner, who previously directed This is Spinal Tap (1984), LBJ (2016) with Woody Harrelson playing the 36th president, and Shock and Awe last year.
The fantasy of this movie is basically twisting fairy tales 14 years before Shrek while bringing memorable characters, endlessly repeatable lines, and fun. We have a Chicago home where a kid, played by Fred Savage, is playing a baseball video game. The following year, Savage was in the 60's nostalgia show, The Wonder Years. His mother checks on him and then tells him his grandfather is making a visit. He bursts in the door and is a joy played by Peter Falk. The Grandfather mentions he’s brought a gift, a book, that he had read to the grandchild’s father. He begins telling the tale of the farm girl, Buttercup (Robin Wright), in the country of Florin. This was Wright’s first film and of course she has gone onto many roles including her role as president in House of Cards and playing General Antiope in Wonder Woman.
Memes have her as yet another princess turned general. She orders around the farm boy, Westley (Cary Elwes) and Grandfather points out his reply “As you wish” really means “I love you.” Elwes has the Errol Flynn-flair, looks, and smarts with wry humor. He was later in Glory (1989), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and wrote As You Wish (2016), his recounting of making Princess Bride. This of course leads to a kiss with the Grandson interrupting, “Is this a kissing book?” The point of the film is to open up the kid’s world from video games, toys, and sports found throughout this room to other interests. Grandfather continues his narration explaining that Westley left to make a fortune, but is captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts who takes no prisoners.
Elwes has the Errol Flynn-flair, looks, and smarts with wry humor. He was later in Glory (1989), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and wrote As You Wish (2016), his recounting of making Princess Bride. Grandfather continues his narration explaining that Westley left to make a fortune, but is captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts who takes no prisoners. Grandfather explains that five years later, Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) has chosen Buttercup to be is bride. Sarandon has a delivery that is perfect, playing a snobby, upper class noble, but still likable. He of course voiced Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) among many other films and series.
The twist is that the noble prince is actually ruthless and only wants an excuse to destroy their sworn enemy, Guilder. His henchman is Count Rugen (Christopher Guest). A villain who revels in experimenting in pain. Guest is of course known for This is Spinal Tap (1984) and his incredible series of mockumentaries starting with Waiting for Guffman (1997). Buttercup does not love the prince and her only solace is to go out horseback riding. She stops in the forest to see three strange men. There is the short man, Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), the suave, Spanish swordsman, Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and the giant Fezzik (Andre the Giant). The massive hand of Fezzik reaches out and knocks her out.
They take the princess to a boat, Vizzini arranges a piece of a Guilder soldier’s uniform on a horse to get Florin to suspect their rivals and start a war. Fezzick doesn’t want to be part of any killing, Vizzini chastises him and Inigo. They head off in the night sea, Inigo asks if they are followed, and sees a ship behind them. Buttercup takes the chance to swim away. Vizzini points out that there are Screaming Eels in the water. Grandfather interrupts to reassure his grandson. The break in tension is funny and brings us back to the storytelling. Vizzini makes Buttercup promise that she will swim back and Fezzik slams his fist down on the Screaming Eel before pulling Buttercup out. Vizzini is happy that the ship has reached the Cliffs of Insanity.
A rope extends from the top of the cliff and Fezzik sets up a climbing rig with everyone placed around him as he pulls them up the cliff. Behind them is the Man in Black who follows them up the rope. Reaching the top, Vizzini takes out a knife and cuts through the rope, he finds the Man in Black still climbing, inconceivable! Shawn has a small part in this film, but he put a stamp on it like the other cameos, Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, and his wife, Valerie played by Carol Kane. My favorite is still Inigo Montoya, I studied it second by second, all choreographed by Peter Diamond with fencing master, Bob Anderson.
He has worked on nearly every great fencing film, performing in the Star Wars films, Highlander (1986) and the tv show, First Knight (1995), Mask of Zorro (1998), Die Another Day (2002), and the Lord of the Rings movies! Andre the Giant has a deep voice, some of his words are difficult to understand, but he has a charm that is winning. The Princess Bride is a classic with clever dialogue and characters, the oddness of fairy tales, and just perfect filmmaking and filmmakers. What about the R.O.U.S.'? The interesting part is the grandchild making assumptions of fairy tales and the Grandfather’s explanation, “Well, who says life is fair? Where is that written? Life isn’t always fair.”
Five Miracle Pills (with chocolate coating) out of Five!
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