1987 ‧ Fantasy/Romance ‧ 1h 38m
A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel "The Princess Bride" which earned its own loyal audience.
-- IMDb
When I read The Princess Bride, I envision Robin Wright as Buttercup and Cary Elwes as her true love Westley.
The Princess Bride is a timeless story that contains all the important elements.
"Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Revenge. Giants. Monsters. Chases. Escapes. True love. Miracles."
I have seen The Princess Bride more times than I can remember. I confess that I recite the lines along with the actors—and there are some fantastic lines—and quote parts of the movie at applicable times in my life. I even got my sons (aged seven and nine) to watch it (and enjoy it... except for the kissing part).
To complement those fantastic lines—"As you wish"—are equally epic scenes. Here are some of my favorites. In no particular order...
<<spoiler alert>>
Scene One - When Inigo Montoya fights Count Rugen. I find this scene so powerful. A son avenges his father. He confronts the man who killed his father and makes him beg for his life. At the end, in the heart-wrenching moment before he strikes the final blow, he declares all he wants is his father back.
Inigo Montoya: Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!
Count Rugen: Stop saying that!
Scene Two - When the grandson doesn't mind the kissing part. This scene has become more meaningful for me since I've had children. My boys love action movies—superhero stuff—with fighting and killing, and they definitely don't like the kissing parts. When they cover their eyes and boo at the screen, I smile and think that someday, like the Grandson, they won't mind so much either.
Grandfather: They rode to freedom. And as dawn arose, Westley and Buttercup knew they were safe. A wave of love swept over them. And as they reached for each other—
Grandson: What? What?
Grandfather: Naw, it's kissing again, you don't want to hear that.
Grandson: Well, I don't mind so much.
Scene Three - When the Vizzini says "inconceivable." The first time I watched this movie, I was a kid and probably didn't know what 'inconceivable' meant. I not only learned the meaning, but the spelling as well. I can't imagine anyone other than Wallace Shawn screaming "inconceivable" over and over, as if yelling a big word made him seem smarter. And, it's true, sometimes yelling "inconceivable" is the absolutely appropriate word to use.
Vizzini: Inconceivable!
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Scene Four - When Buttercup and Westley say good-bye. The romantic in me swoons each time I hear Westley say "Here this now: I will always come for you." The whole scene is a perfect reinforcement of my belief in True Love.
Buttercup: I fear I'll never see you again.
Westley: Of course you will.
Buttercup: But what if something happens to you?
Westley: Hear this now: I will always come for you.
Buttercup: But how can you be sure?
Westley: This is True Love. You think this happens every day?
Scene Five - When Westley says "As you wish." Another Princess Bride line that my husband and I often use in real life. You know, it really means "I love you."
Buttercup: And what am I?
Dread Pirate Roberts: Faithfulness he talked of, madame, your enduring faithfulness. Now tell me truly, when you found out he was gone, did you get engaged to your prince that same hour, or did you wait a whole week out of respect for the dead?
Buttercup: You mocked me once. Never do it again! I died that day! [pause] And you can die too for all I care!
[Buttercup pushes Roberts down the hill]
Dread Pirate Roberts: <rolling> As... you... wish!
Buttercup: Oh my sweet Westley, what have I done?
The Princess Bride is an amazing movie (and book too). I highly recommend both. 5 stars. There are so many great scenes. Like when the Grandson thinks Buttercup will get eaten by the eels. Or, when Inigo and Fezzik are rhyming. Or, when the Vizzini thinks he's won the battle of wits until he falls over dead. Or, when Miracle Max says Westley is only mostly dead. Or, when Buttercup surprises Westley by surrendering to Humperdinck outside the Fire Swamp. Or, you know, the whole story!
Until next time, keep on dreaming and never underestimate the power of True Love.
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