Average Rating: 
Rating: - Inconceivable!
I first saw this movie 10 years ago and I've watched it at least 80 times since (make that 81-- I watched it again last night!). I've completely ruined 2 copies of this movie just rewinding it and rewatching scenes that I loved so much (practically the whole movie).I can easily do the entire movie from memory, and though it might not be the most technically exceptional film, it has stuff which can be appreciated by people of all ages. Highly quotable, *very* funny, and just charming, all around. I would (and do) recommend it to everyone! Great performances by Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, Chris Sarandon, and the R.O.U.S.es. If you're interested, the book is also available from this site, but please don't bother looking for the "original" book by S. Morgenstern; it never existed and the whole thing was written by William Goldman (if you don't believe it, email me and we'll talk). The book has more in it, and you get more history of the individual characters, but I have a hard time saying which I think is better. Oh, one last thing: In the new release of the movie by MGM, there's a bit of a spoiler on the back cover of the video cassette. If you've never seen the movie before, do yourself a favour and *don't* read the back cover of the tape before you watch it. "[The Princess Bride] is the greatest thing in the world-- except for a nice MLT (Mutton Lettuce and Tomato) sandwich where the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomatoes are ripe... they're so perky, I love that." --Miracle Max END
Rating: - The perfect Once Upon A Time...
You don't have to like fairy tales or even romantic stories to fall in love with The Princess Bride. It's a classic simply because this story has it all--drama, action, romance, and above all humor, and lots of it.You won't find slapstick goofiness in The Princess Bride, but if you're a fan of dry, satirical humor you'll love this film. I know at least half a dozen people who can recite lines from the movie--verbatim. That's only because it's just THAT good. And gentlemen, this movie is FAR from being a chick flick. Don't let the title or the fairy tale angle fool you. By the time you've finished watching The Princess Bride, you'll probably be greeting your friends saying, "Hello. My name is Enigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare...to die." If you've seen The Princess Bride before, you need to own it on video. Every time you see this movie again you'll catch something you missed the last time. If you haven't seen the film...where have you been?
Rating: - This is how fairy tales should have always been.
I don't know about elsewhere in the world but 'The Princess Bride' was barely promoted when it opened in Australia. To my mind, that was a crime. It saddens me every time I meet someone who is a normal cinemaphile but has never heard of this film. I guess considering that it has no big name stars, (at least not in major roles), this situation may be understandable.
Some might see it as a satire on fairy tales but I see the film more as worship. This is the way all fairy tales should be. To quote Peter Falk at the beginning of the film, "(it has) fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." What more could you want from a movie?
The story is a simple one. Two lovers, Wesley and Buttercup, separated for five years, (one presumed dead), are reunited despite the opposition of evil forces. No, it's not the story that makes this movie great, it is the script, acting and direction. The characters are ALL eccentric and they have been given wonderfully witty dialogue. Superbly choreographed action sequences and a sense of fun also help to round out the film. Watch out for the best fencing scene in the history of film.
Outside of some of Monty Python's films, The Princess Bride would have to be the most quotable. In fact there is a subculture of fans of this film who communicate almost solely through the use of quotes. Their recognition signal is not a handshake but a password. You just have to say 'Inconceivable' in the right way, and your in.
For the maximum fun, this film should be watched in the company of a group of friends. And it doesn't matter what age spread the group has, because it will be appreciated by all. So go ahead and schedule that movie night you have been putting off.
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