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The Princess Bride | Year: 1987 Classification: Feature Film Family Directed: - Rob Reiner Actors/Actresses: - Christopher Guest - Cary Elwes - Mandy Patinkin - Robin Wright Penn Immensely entertaining post-modern take on the fairytale. Combining dead-on perfect casting, superb direction, an impeccable comedic script and sumptuous visuals, The Princess Bride is a marvellous piece of cinematic storytelling that, thanks to its brilliant combination of childlike wonder and adult sarcasm (that in itself being a great feat), is accessible to viewers of all ages. The enchanting Robin Wright is wonderful in the title role, with her expressive face and aura of melancholy. Her accent is so convincing that for years I actually thought she was English. (she's from California.) Cary Elwes' cocky, eccentric turn as Westley, the dashing swordsman with a smart mouth, is a stereotyped persona that remains with him to this day, but it works beautifully in this film. Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn add their impeccable comic timing as alcoholic swordsman Inigo and the viciously arrogant Vizzini, and Andre the Giant is lovable as "rhyme-loving giant Fezzik". And The Princess Bride sports two great movie villains in Chris Sarandon's Prince Humperdinck and Christopher Guest's Count Rugen, both evil to the core but so charismatically played by the actors that they come off as truly worthy opponents to the chivalric Westley and Inigo. William Goldman is of course a demigod in the world of screenwriting, his lines sharp and his narrative tight and engrossing, while Rob Reiner's comic-book execution fits the tone of the story perfectly without sacrifice moments of tension, drama, or depth. High points: Goldman wrote in his screenplay "one of the two greatest swordfights in modern movies" and Reiner delivers with Westley's duel with Inigo; the encounter with Miracle Max and his wife Valerie (Billy Crystal and Carol Kane in delightful cameos); Fezzik's wrestling match with Westley; the nail-biting entrance of the R.O.U.S.; the hilarious meeting on the castle wall; Westley's showdown with Vizzini. This movie belongs in any collection. A Perfect Gift Looking for a gift for the young at heart. Here's a video which will surprise and delight both children and adults, a difficult trick. From the opening conceit of a tale within a tale, narrated by Peter Falk (Columbo) the story of good versus evil unfolds seamlessly and delightfully. The surprising choices of casting work wonderously. Particularly outstanding are Mandy Patinkin (Che from the Broadway production of Evita) as Ignigo Montoya the left handed swordsman searching for the man who killed his father, Andre the Giant as Fezzik (a real giant playing the giant), Wallace Shawn (an actors actor; My Dinner with Andre) as the conceited and amoral Vizzini, Billy Crystal as the local healer, and the bad guys: Prince Humperdink and Count Rugen; Chris Sarandon and Chistopher Guest. Robin Wright as Buttercup and Gary Elwes as Westley do a good job as the heroine and hero, particularily in the beginning of the movie. What child would not be held spellbound by this tale? I know adults who've viewed this video again and again. I'm one of them. The violence is limited to swordfighting in which some people get stabbed, a poisoning and some wacky but frightening torture. It seems mild compared to the general level of video violence. "My name is Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" Cast: Cary Elwes ... Westley Carol Kane ... Valerie A storybook stable boy turns pirate and rescues his beloved who is about to marry a dreadful prince. The story is told by the Grandfather (Peter Falk) to his cynical (at first) Grandson (Fred Savage). The story is a love story with all of the elements of a fantasy fairy tale. Westley (Cary Elwes), the good guy, is opposed by Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin--"My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father. Be prepared to die!"), at first, and then wins Westley's admiration. Another opponent who becomes a co-conspirator, is Fezzick (Andre the Giant). Buttercup/The Princess Bride (Robin Wright Penn) is the princess who needs rescuing. There is a lot of good tongue-in-cheek humor involved, and even though it is understood that this is a story told to a young boy, there is nevertheless a good level of tension involved. This is a fun movie. Joseph (Joe) Pierre Buy The Princess Bride at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Princess Bride Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Princess Bride This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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