The Princess Bride Review
3 February 2013
When my best friend gave me permission to raid her DVD shelf, my eyes lit up when I saw The Princess Bride. Quite a few ladies had been surprised to hear that I had never seen it. So I took the opportunity to broaden my period drama/fairytale perspective.
As with all movies that look a little questionable, I gave it to my mama to investigate first. She was rather thorough, and with a few niggling doubts in her mind she said that I could take a look and tell her if it was any good. First, on the outset you should know that my family is very strict with movies that contain fantasy and sexual references. Although The Princess Bride isn’t overtly fantasy because it doesn’t contain magic spells, witches, and elves; it does include creatures of abnormal size, a‘miracle-maker’, a giant, and a man with six fingers on his right hand. I also think that the acting is not great (except from Westley and Inigo, they’re
not too bad), the concept of ‘true love’ is a little warped (but I suppose that is to be expected from a fairytale), and the belief that suicide is the answer to a troubled life is a little concerning.
Overall, the story is really quite sweet, very funny and I think that the wit, especially from Westley, is rather clever. I’m rather surprised to find that it wasn’t an Englishman that wrote the script. (No offense to my American readers, but British wit is the best) One of my sisters sat and watched this with me. She does not like romantic anythings and is not in favour of period dramas, so it was with reluctance that she sat and watched this romantic comedy. After watching it, her comment was, “I’d watched this again, just for the wit.” So, there you have it :) If you like humour, rather than dark emotions (:P) and don’t mind a tad of fantasy, check it out. But with caution, I’d hate to recommend anything I’m not 100% sure about.
SYNOPSIS
As with all movies that look a little questionable, I gave it to my mama to investigate first. She was rather thorough, and with a few niggling doubts in her mind she said that I could take a look and tell her if it was any good. First, on the outset you should know that my family is very strict with movies that contain fantasy and sexual references. Although The Princess Bride isn’t overtly fantasy because it doesn’t contain magic spells, witches, and elves; it does include creatures of abnormal size, a‘miracle-maker’, a giant, and a man with six fingers on his right hand. I also think that the acting is not great (except from Westley and Inigo, they’re
not too bad), the concept of ‘true love’ is a little warped (but I suppose that is to be expected from a fairytale), and the belief that suicide is the answer to a troubled life is a little concerning.
Overall, the story is really quite sweet, very funny and I think that the wit, especially from Westley, is rather clever. I’m rather surprised to find that it wasn’t an Englishman that wrote the script. (No offense to my American readers, but British wit is the best) One of my sisters sat and watched this with me. She does not like romantic anythings and is not in favour of period dramas, so it was with reluctance that she sat and watched this romantic comedy. After watching it, her comment was, “I’d watched this again, just for the wit.” So, there you have it :) If you like humour, rather than dark emotions (:P) and don’t mind a tad of fantasy, check it out. But with caution, I’d hate to recommend anything I’m not 100% sure about.
SYNOPSIS
A young boy, bedridden with the flu, is less than thrilled when his grandfather arrives to read him The Princess Bride – a fairytale adventure passed on by grandfathers and fathers to their sons and grandsons, generation after generation.
As this tale of true love unfolds, the boy is drawn into the wonders of the fairytale kingdom of Florin, the adventures of Buttercup (the most beautiful woman in the world) and Westley (the man she loves). With an evil prince, three almost-evil henchmen, some killer rats, long lost loves returning from the dead, and a bit of torture, you couldn’t possibly call THIS a kissing book!
SCENERY
Quite incredible, actually. Not ‘beautiful’… but the different kinds of scenery are rather amazing… the cliffs of insanity, the fireswamp, the pit of despair, the thieves forest… It doesn’t look overly fake, as would be expected.
As this tale of true love unfolds, the boy is drawn into the wonders of the fairytale kingdom of Florin, the adventures of Buttercup (the most beautiful woman in the world) and Westley (the man she loves). With an evil prince, three almost-evil henchmen, some killer rats, long lost loves returning from the dead, and a bit of torture, you couldn’t possibly call THIS a kissing book!
SCENERY
Quite incredible, actually. Not ‘beautiful’… but the different kinds of scenery are rather amazing… the cliffs of insanity, the fireswamp, the pit of despair, the thieves forest… It doesn’t look overly fake, as would be expected.
STORY
The story is actually just that. A story. The movie starts with a sick little boy who is visited by his grandfather. To cheer him up, his grandfather begins to read him a story, The Princess Bride. The story begins as Westley works as Buttercups farmhand. Together they find true love, but Westley doesn’t have enough money for them to marry, so he goes off to seek his fortune across the sea. Buttercup receives word that Westley’s ship was attacked by the dread pirate Roberts, who never left captives alive, so she assumes him dead. Five years pass and Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, even though she does not love him. Shortly before the wedding Buttercup is kidnapped by three almost-evil henchmen who are going to kill her to start a war between Florin and their enemies, the kingdom of Gilder. But she is kidnapped from them by the Pirate Roberts himself! I won’t say anymore or I’ll give away too many spoilers. :) But in the end true love does prevail.
The story is actually just that. A story. The movie starts with a sick little boy who is visited by his grandfather. To cheer him up, his grandfather begins to read him a story, The Princess Bride. The story begins as Westley works as Buttercups farmhand. Together they find true love, but Westley doesn’t have enough money for them to marry, so he goes off to seek his fortune across the sea. Buttercup receives word that Westley’s ship was attacked by the dread pirate Roberts, who never left captives alive, so she assumes him dead. Five years pass and Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, even though she does not love him. Shortly before the wedding Buttercup is kidnapped by three almost-evil henchmen who are going to kill her to start a war between Florin and their enemies, the kingdom of Gilder. But she is kidnapped from them by the Pirate Roberts himself! I won’t say anymore or I’ll give away too many spoilers. :) But in the end true love does prevail.
CHARACTERS
The heroine, Buttercup, is played by Robin Wright. She is not exactly the bravest of ladies. Spoiler When Westley was being attacked by one of the R.O.U.S.’s my sister and I were yelling, “Pick up the sword, Buttercup! Stab the rat! Oh my gawsh! She’s just standing there… Pick up the sword!” Anyway. End of spoiler I suppose she is the typical fairytale heroine, pretty but not quite all there in the brains department.
The heroine, Buttercup, is played by Robin Wright. She is not exactly the bravest of ladies. Spoiler When Westley was being attacked by one of the R.O.U.S.’s my sister and I were yelling, “Pick up the sword, Buttercup! Stab the rat! Oh my gawsh! She’s just standing there… Pick up the sword!” Anyway. End of spoiler I suppose she is the typical fairytale heroine, pretty but not quite all there in the brains department.
Westley, the hero of this fairytale, is played by Cary Elwes. This fellew is not half bad. Dashing (though blondes are not my type), brave, and sharp with his wit… he is a huge improvement to his heroine. My favourite thing about this fellow is his wit. I love the way he delivers his lines with a typical dry British manner. Like I said, British wit is the
best.
best.
The villain, Prince Humperdinck, is played by Chris Sarandon. He’s not the typically evil villain, Spoiler although I suppose his plans to kill his bride and blame it on the Gilderians to start a war and torture Westley when he promised to set him free are rather treacherous, End of spoiler but he does it all in a blasé manner as opposed to a cruel one.
Inigo Montoya, a Spanish swordsman seeking revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father, was played by Mandy Patinkin. He is probably my favourite character in this film. His wit is also hilarious. The combination of him and Westley make me crack up! Here are a couple of my favourite scenes with Inigo in them:
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Vizzini and Fezzick, played by Wallace Shawn and Andre the Giant respectively, also add a whole lot of humour to this already funny movie. Vizzini, he is easily hateable, but he’s so stupid you can’t help but enjoy his time on the screen. Just Vizzini’s constant use of the word “Inconceivable!” is enough to make me laugh so hard.
Fezzick is the typical example of brawn. I’m glad that Fezzick is an honourable giant, in that he would not kill the man in black ‘unsportsmanlike’ by hiding behind a boulder and hitting him on the head with a rock, but he came out in the open and demanded that they fight skin against skin, no weapons. I won’t tell you what became of that fight :) you can find out for yourself. Actually, Andre is a heavyweight wrestling champion who was 7 feet tall and over 500 pounds, so it is no wonder that he was picked for the role.
Fezzick is the typical example of brawn. I’m glad that Fezzick is an honourable giant, in that he would not kill the man in black ‘unsportsmanlike’ by hiding behind a boulder and hitting him on the head with a rock, but he came out in the open and demanded that they fight skin against skin, no weapons. I won’t tell you what became of that fight :) you can find out for yourself. Actually, Andre is a heavyweight wrestling champion who was 7 feet tall and over 500 pounds, so it is no wonder that he was picked for the role.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
I think that these costumes can be placed in the Renaissance era (I think Ever After), but with allowances made for the fact that it is a fairytale. Buttercup’s gowns at the royal announcements and at her wedding are very pretty (I think Ever After again). And the man in black’s black outfit is very dashing.
I think that these costumes can be placed in the Renaissance era (I think Ever After), but with allowances made for the fact that it is a fairytale. Buttercup’s gowns at the royal announcements and at her wedding are very pretty (I think Ever After again). And the man in black’s black outfit is very dashing.
As for hairstyles, Buttercups’ hair is left long and flowing throughout the length of the film. At special royal occasions, it is curled and part of it is put up in pretty styles. Westley’s hair is longish, and tied back for some of the film. Inigo’s hair also is longish, but left long and free.
RATING
This film would fall between a 3 and a 4. If I were to watch it again, it would be for the humour and wit. That was the main thing that I enjoyed in The Princess Bride.
The rating for this film is ‘PG for violence’, and I would agree with that. There are some intense scenes that would frighten children; i.e. the screaming eels, the ‘rodents of unusual size’, the torture scene, a couple of sword fighting scenes… Also there are couple of uses of profanity. Once the little boy uses ‘Jesus’ as a curse word. I wouldn’t let any of my siblings younger that 10-12 watch this film.
This film would fall between a 3 and a 4. If I were to watch it again, it would be for the humour and wit. That was the main thing that I enjoyed in The Princess Bride.
The rating for this film is ‘PG for violence’, and I would agree with that. There are some intense scenes that would frighten children; i.e. the screaming eels, the ‘rodents of unusual size’, the torture scene, a couple of sword fighting scenes… Also there are couple of uses of profanity. Once the little boy uses ‘Jesus’ as a curse word. I wouldn’t let any of my siblings younger that 10-12 watch this film.