The leads are vacuous; the absurdities sometimes forced and obvious.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins
Theatrical Release: 00-00-0000
Synopsis: 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... 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. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, André the Giant, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Kane
Producer: Arnold Scheinman, Rob Reiner
Screenwriter: William Goldman
Composer: Mark Knopfler
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 11, 2008
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
- Mono - English, French, Spanish
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentaries - 1. Rob Reiner - Director
- 2. William Goldman - Writer
- Featurettes - 1. "THE PRINCESS BRIDE: The Untold Tales"
- 2. "Fairytales and Folklore"
- 3. "The Art of Fencing"
Interactive Features:
- Games - "True Love and High Adventure: The Official PRINCESS BRIDE Game'
Reviews
Children can see it as a bright, frothy adventure while adults will appreciate the subtlety and the sheer wit.
Occasionally a bit too clever for its own good, but it’s all so cheerful and has so many ingenious set-pieces that you can forgive it any excess.
One of Reiner's most entertaining films, effective as a swashbuckling epic, romantic fable, and satire of these genres.
Based on William Goldman's novel, this is a post-modern fairy tale that challenges and affirms the conventions of a genre that may not be flexible enough to support such horseplay.
Rob Reiner's friendly 1987 fairy-tale adventure delicately mines the irony inherent in its make-believe without ever undermining the effectiveness of the fantasy.
One of the Top films of the 1980s - if not, of all time. A treasure of a film that you'll want to watch again and again
An effective comedy, an interesting bedtime tale, and one of the greatest date rentals of all time.
One of those rare satiric gems, like The Court Jester and Galaxy Quest, that doesn't just send up a genre, but honors it at the same time.
A seminal cult classic the exact appeal of which has always eluded me, though most of the world seems to adore it.
The lesson it most effectively demonstrates is that cinema has the power to turn you into a kid again. As we wish.
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