Pemberley (Lyme Park, Cheshire)

Pemberley (Lyme Park, Cheshire)
Oh, to be in England...

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Princess Bride- A True Classic!

The Princess Bride Movie Poster

I was on a roll last month with my sentimental favourites, so here is my next one.  The Princess Bride was the first movie I saw with my husband in 1987.  Much better than our second date movie, Fatal Attraction!  The Squire, as I call him in my blog, wondered what kind of a movie I had taken him to, as it seemed to be a children's flick at first.  He also ate an enormous amount of popcorn, as I recall.
But this has turned into a film which I have to pop in the DVD player at least once a year, and if it comes on TV, I have to leave it on and watch it.  Twenty-three years later, it holds up beautifully, with only a few special effects looking a bit cheesy (the rodents of unusual size for example).

"Is this a kissing book?"
The Grandson: A book?
Grandpa: That's right. When I was your age, television was called books. And this is a special book. It was the book my father used to read to me when I was sick, and I used to read it to your father. And today I'm gonna read it to you.
The Grandson: Has it got any sports in it?
Grandpa: Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...
The Grandson: Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake.
Grandpa: Oh, well, thank you very much, very nice of you. Your vote of confidence is overwhelming.

This film appeals to men and women (despite the girly title) and young and old alike.   It is a light-hearted fantasy, an adaptation of the tongue in cheek book of the same name, and directed by the fantastic Rob Reiner, whose comic sense is perfect for this.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die"

So many wonderful actors in this.  Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, the revenge crazed swordsman, Carey Elwes as young Westley, Robin Wright as Buttercup/The Princess Bride, Chris Sarandon (Susan's ex) as Prince Humperdinck, and Christopher Guest (husband of Jamie Lee Curtis) as the Count Rugen, the six-fingered man.

"You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles."

Billy Crystal had one of his best roles ever as Miracle Max.  Wallace Shawn also shone as the lisping Vizzini and Andre the Giant was a lovely gentle giant in his role as Fezzik.

That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you."
Fencing Scene
Inigo Montoya: You are wonderful.
Man in Black: Thank you; I've worked hard to become so.
Inigo Montoya: I admit it, you are better than I am.
Man in Black: Then why are you smiling?
Inigo Montoya: Because I know something you don't know.
Man in Black: And what is that?
Inigo Montoya: I... am not left-handed.
[Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage]
Man in Black: You are amazing.
Inigo Montoya: I ought to be, after 20 years.
Man in Black: Oh, there's something I ought to tell you.
Inigo Montoya: Tell me.
Man in Black: I'm not left-handed either.
[Moves his sword to his right hand and regains his advantage]

"As you wish..."
So if you haven't seen this, buy it!  It's cheap and you'll watch it a lot.  And for the rest of you who are already fans of The Princess Bride...

"Have fun stormin' the castle!"

8 comments:

  1. Have you read the book? I enjoyed it even more than the film! Cracked me up!

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  2. Yes, Cheryl, I am such a fan that I did read the book. I'm so gullible, I was wondering if he was serious at first. What a dork! Fabulous book and very funny when you finally get the joke!

    I should read it again as it was a few years ago. My kids love this film too so I should hand them the book after I reread it.

    Cheers and happy new year!

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  3. I thought the author was being serious initially as well but didn't take long before I realized it was tongue-in-cheek and I had trouble not laughing out loud as I read it on my bus ride to work!

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  4. "As you wish?" "I don't think that word means what you think it means." "I am Inigo Montoya..." Love, love, love this movie.

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  5. LOL! This is most definitely one of my favorite movies of all time! My brother and I quote it all the time "Mawwige.." "NO more rhyming, I mean it!" "Anybody want a
    peanut?" "Inconceivable!" We introduced it to my husband and now he quotes it all the time!

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  6. I'm so glad you all love it as much as I do. Like I said, if this is on TV as I am flicking through, I have to stop all else and watch it. There are so many good quotes from it too...thanks for your additional ones. It was hard not to put them all in the post!
    I can't imagine a world without The Princess Bride!

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  7. OMG! I love love love love love love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe it took me THIS long to find this site............ anyway, I am only 11 years old and I love this movie! My dad showed it to me when I was 3 and I have watched it ever since! Today I am sick and watching it right now.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mac. Welcome to my blog. Your dad has very good taste as this is one of my favourite films ever. Great film to watch when you are sick. Just like the grandson! I don't think you can ever really get tired of this movie.

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