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The Princess Bride
 
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The Princess Bride

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin Director: Rob Reiner MPAA Rating: PG
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (634 customer reviews)

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10 new from CDN$ 9.00 1 used from CDN$ 22.94

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Product Description

Amazon.com Essential Video

Screenwriter William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride 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.

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...

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. --Sam Sutherland

Review

Both a tribute to and revision of fairy tales past, The Princess Bride manages to combine subtle, acerbic humor with a classic understanding of what makes the elements of fantasy so appealing to children. Director Rob Reiner took a chance on William Goldman's novel of the same name; though the central plot is unarguably Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup's (Robin Wright) journey to happily-ever-after, a variety of subplots and personal quests make for the daunting prospect of producing a film that very well might have too much going on. A surprisingly gentle performance from late wrestling icon Andre the Giant, along with an excellent supporting team including Billy Crystal, Wallace Shawn, and Mandy Patinkin, however, not only make the intermingling of plots seem perfectly natural, but express a sense of camraderie so realistic that one hardly notices the subject at hand is as likely to be the pitfalls of life in the revenge business as it is the tedious process of bringing one back from the dead. Patinkin in particular is compelling as Inigo, a Spanish swordsman on an obsessive quest to avenge his father's murder, while Wright plays the title role of with all of the angst, priss, and unbending faith in true love expected from a princess. Elwes' Westley, however, is far cry from the traditional knight in shining armor--clothed in all back and well-versed in the pirating industry, Wesley is a verifiable fairy-tale bad-boy--and like the film itself, somehow, it just works. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
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Customer Reviews

634 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
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3 star:
 (24)
2 star:
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1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (634 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pick-me-up ever!, July 24 2008
By KrismarieD "Krissy" (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Princess Bride (Special Edition) (DVD)
Since the summaries above will tell you about the movie itself, I'll skip over that and just put in my opinion; this movie cheers me up like few other things can.
Whenever I'm upset, or angry, or any negitive emotion, really, I can turn on this movie, and it will instantly bring a smile to my face.
Inigo Montoya is the best character, in my opinion, hands down. I always cry with his bit at the end (don't want to spoil it).

It's special effects and music are pretty dated, but that's half the fun of it. Definately one of my favourite movies of all time.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Think this happens every day?, Dec 29 2007
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Every now and then, someone makes one of those rare movies that crosses the lines of romance, action, fantasy, fairy tale, and a story for all ages. And isn't annoying either. With snappy dialogue and lovable characters, "The Princess Bride" is a classic tale of high adventure, danger, true love, screaming eels, and Sicilians who talk too much. And yes, there's kissing.

A bored little boy (Fred Savage) is sick in bed, is told a story by his quirky grandfather (Peter Falk). In it, young lovers Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Carey Elwes) are separated when Westley is apparently killed. A few years later, the heartbroken Buttercup is unwillingly affianced to the slimy Prince Humperdinck. As if that weren't enough, she's kidnapped by a trio of mercenaries.

But things go wrong for the mercenaries -- a mysterious masked man is following them, and he defeats each of the mercenaries with his swordplay, strength and wits. He also knows quite a bit about Westley's fate -- and Buttercup soon finds that he IS Westley after all. But Buttercup is only a cog in Humperdinck's evil plot, and now it's up to Westley, gentle giant Fezzik (Andre) and vengeance-seeking Spaniard Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) to save her.

If "Princess Bride" had been done in a halfway serious manner, it wouldn't have been even remotely interesting. It would have been just another kids' film. But with William Goldman's tongue-in-cheek script and entertaining characters (Miracle Max, anyone?), it becomes something a lot sweeter and funnier.

Rob Reiner has a deft, wry touch that matches Goldman's story, and he does a superb job of keeping the grim moments lighter than they would have been otherwise ("We'll never make it through!" "Nonsense, you're only saying that because no one ever has"). With scenes like the torture machine, Miracle Max and Westley's three duels, Reiner keeps it deadpan rather than openly comic. But there are also scenes of touching romance and reconciliation, and some very good swordfights for Inigo.

And the dialogue (penned by Goldman) is full of quotables -- lines like "Inconceivable!" "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," "I'm not left-handed!" and "As you wish" are more or less immortalized. At the worst of times it's solid; at the middling times, it's memorably quirky; at the best of times, it's hilarious.

Yes, the title is about Buttercup. But she's a pretty pallid character compared to Westley, Fezzik and Patinkan. Elwes always seems to be winking at both the characters and audience, while Andre is lovable as the sportsmanlike, superstrong giant, and Patinkan as the discouraged Spaniard searching for a six-fingered man. His clash with the casually evil Rugen is a wonderful action-packed climax.

And Billy Crystal makes a brief but insanely good appearance as the Miracle Man, an embittered medieval healer with a very peeved wife (Carol Kane, who steals the scene with her shrieks of "Liar!").

Crammed with adventure, true love, swordfights, pirates, casual villains, and a clergyman with a speech impediment, "The Princess Bride" is an adorable comic classic. A must-see.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Romance and High adventure, Jun 29 2006
By bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Princess Bride [UMD for PSP] (UMD for PSP)
It is inconceivable how they could make such a good movie. This is one of those movies that the story is being told and periodically you are drawn back to the reader and listener to see what they think of the story. The reader is a grandfather played by Peter Falk and the grandson that is listening to the bedtime story is Fred Savage. Watch the expressions on Prince Humperdinck's (Chris Sarandon) face as he gets foiled again. Exceptional good story and actors. Lots of mush and unexpected trials.

See Peter Falk again with Cyndi Lauper in "Vibes" (1988).
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars What a marvelous movie... I waited too....
long to buy this movie -- my boys loved it the first time they watched it. It is timeless, a great comedy, wonderful lines.....
A great addition to our movie selection!
Published on July 15 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars A family comedy funnier than this? Inconceivable!
For millions of television viewers who grew up during All in the Family's groundbreaking run (before it became stale in the post-1977 seasons), Rob Reiner will always be... Read more
Published on Jun 21 2004 by Alex Diaz-Granados

4.0 out of 5 stars The tragedy of the Princess Bride
This movie will make you laugh the first time you see it. The second time you see it you will curse it for its sentimentality. But the sentimentality is purely superficial. Read more
Published on May 26 2004 by Avant-Captain_Nemo

5.0 out of 5 stars Any one who can watch ths without laughing needs to be....
committed, medicated and worked over by the best shrinks money can buy, an exorcisim probably wouldn't hurt either.
Published on May 14 2004 by LaughingLion

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT DVD!!!!!
I have been a HUGE Princess Bride fan since it came out at the theaters years ago. I was given this DVD as a Christmas gift from my husband, and I have loved it ever since. Read more
Published on May 12 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars the Princess Bride Review
The Princess Bride is a timeless romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner. This entertaining movie is a fairy tale full of charm, humor, and plenty of excitement. Read more
Published on May 11 2004 by Lorenzo León

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bride
This is a great movie. It's one of my first love and I totally recommend it to any one. It's more then just a romance really. Read more
Published on May 4 2004 by Ametisti

4.0 out of 5 stars An Epic Fantasy/Comedy
Another great movie of fantastical myth, legend and comedy The Princess Bride gets four stars. Directed by Rob Reiner and William Goldman with the great narrative voice of Peter... Read more
Published on May 3 2004 by Dex

5.0 out of 5 stars As you wish!
This is a wonderful movie and has something for everyone. It's not about special effects or amazing visuals, some of the sets are pretty basic and look low budget. Read more
Published on April 23 2004 by James R. Mckinley

5.0 out of 5 stars JUST ADDING MY TWO CENTS!
MOST EXCELLENT MOVIE - HAVE WATCHED IT NUMEROUS TIMES! That is what makes a great movie -
Loved the characters - great acting jobs by all.
Wonderful scenery. Read more
Published on April 12 2004 by M. Hartmann

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