The Princess Bride (Special Edition)

The Princess Bride (Special Edition)

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Movie Reviews of The Princess Bride (Special Edition)

Movie Review: You killed my father, prepare to die
Summary: 5 Stars

The framing story features a young boy being read to by his grandfather (Peter Falk). The grandfather promises a story with almost everything, and very quickly his book delivers.

Elwes is a farm boy on Wright's farm in the country of Florin. He departs to seek his fortune and has his ship attacked by The Dread Pirate Roberts (who never leaves prisoners), Wright meanwhile becomes betrothed to the Prince of Florin.
When Wright is captured by a rag-tag band of criminals (Shawn, Patinkin and Andre the Giant) in an attempt to spark a war between Florin and neighbouring Gilder (how "the country across the sea" can have a "frontier" with Florin is never explained, but nevertheless), the fun begins.

A mysterious stranger appears and shimmies up a rope using only his arms before engaging Montoya in the first of the memorable swordfights in the film. The dialogue between the two men during this scene is superb, right down to the "I know something you don't know" section. He then bests Fezzik in a test of strength before outwitting Vizzini and rescuing Buttercup.
At this point, the obvious conclusion as to the identity of the stranger is revealed - Westley has returned. The two lovers then make their way through the Fire Swamp - Buttercup: "We'll never make it through". Westley: "Nonsense, you're only saying that because no one ever has".
Sadly, the Prince of Florin sends Westley to the dungeon once he finds the pair and makes his plans to marry Buttercup.
In typical adventure style, the good guys end up winning - even to the point of Montoya avenging his father.

Every moment of this film threatens to break out into a fully-fledged Mel Brooks parody (something with which Elwes became familiar in "Men In Tights") but it never does. Director Rob Reiner is content to have the sparkling dialogue ("It's nice...I didn't say I'd want to build a summer home here, but it's not as bad as they say") generate the humour for most of the film.

Considerable plaudits must also go to the supporting cast. Peter Cook's Clergyman (credited as "The Impressive Clergyman" at the end of the film) is a wonderful creation from one of the most gifted comics of our time. His line "so tweasure your wuv" is guaranteed to have anyone in stitches. British comic Mel Smith also makes an appearance as "The Albino", the torturer's assistant to Christopher Guest's Count Rugen.
It is, however, Miracle Max and his wife who make the finest double act of the film. Billy Crystal plays Max as only he can, a sort of medieval faith-healer-cum-miracle-worker with extra quirks. Carol Kane as his wife is under-utilised overall, but her appearance screaming "Liar! Liar!" is one of the highlights of the film.

For a professsional wrestler with very limited acting ability and English skills, Andre the Giant acquits himself very well. An early rhymed dialogue between Fezzik and Inigo Montoya is a good example of this, as is his later work supporting Elwes in the corridors of the castle.

There are many strong moments in this film, with the best of them being:
Fezzik's appearance as "The Dread Pirate Roberts"
Miracle Max's patter as he examines Westley
Westley's bluff of the Prince in the closing moment of the film
Vizzini's "logic" as he tries to outwit Westley
Fezzik's comment on being told about the Albino "jog his memory" (and knocking him out), "Sorry Inigo, I didn't mean to jog him that much"
Inigo's marvellous fencing against Count Rugen

This is truly a film for everyone. On a purely fairytale level, it satisfies, however as a send-up of the conventions of that genre, it more than delivers. There is, quite frankly, no reason why a fan of adventures or comedies should not own this film.

Summary of The Princess Bride (Special Edition)

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Stills from The Princess Bride (Click for larger image)