The Princess Bride

Buy This Item The Princess Bride by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $19.98  on 11-16-2008     Screenwriter William Goldman's novel <I>The Princess Bride</I> earned its own loyal audience on the strength of its narrative voice and its gently satirical, hyperbolic spin on swashbuckled adventure that seemed almost purely literary. For all its derring-do and vivid over-the-top characters, the book's joy was dictated as much by the deadpan tone of its narrator and a winking acknowledgement of the clichés being sent up. Miraculously, director Rob Reiner and Goldman himself managed to visualize this romantic fable while keeping that external voice largely intact: using a storytelling framework, avuncular Grandpa (Peter Falk) gradually seduces his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage) into the absurd, irresistible melodrama of the title story. <p> And what a story: a lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind, and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate (could it be Westley?) follows in pursuit. As they sail toward the Cliffs of Insanity <p> The wild and woolly arcs of the story, the sudden twists of fate, and, above all, the cartoon-scaled characters all work because of Goldman's very funny script, Reiner's confident direction, and a terrific cast. Elwes and Wright, both sporting their best English accents, juggle romantic fervor and physical slapstick effortlessly, while supporting roles boast Mandy Patinkin (the swordsman Inigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (the incredulous schemer Vizzini), and Christopher Guest (evil Count Rugen) with brief but funny cameos from Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and Peter Cook. <I>--Sam Sutherland</I> Reader Reviews The Princess Bride (1987) - Rob Reiner What a joyous, fun movie this is. Rob Reiner, combined with William Goldman's screenplay, does an amazing job of creating a fairy tale that attempts to subvert all fairy tales. Yet, and here's the amazing part, it is still somehow able to maintain the magic and romance that is inherent in any great fantasy storytelling. Thus, though it attempts to make fun of fairy tales in general, it is as amazing as the greatest of them! Honestly, how can anyone NOT like this movie? There is so much innocent fun and charm that one almost immediately falls in love with it. The dialogue is fantastic, the acting is enthusiastic, the action is fun, and even the romance works. What are you waiting for? Go buy this movie!

The Princess Bride Available from Amazon Price: $19.98 Updated on 11-16-2008.

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