The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride
Directed by	Rob Reiner
Produced by	Rob Reiner Andrew Shceinman
Written by	William Goldman (creator)
Narrated by	Peter Falk (as the character of the Grandfather)
Starring	Robin Wright Penn Cary Elwes
Music by	Mark Knopfler
Cinematography	Adrian Biddle
Editing by	Robert Leighton
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	September 25, 1987
Running time	98 min.
Country	USA
Language	English
Budget	$16,000,000
Gross revenue	$30,857,814 (USA)
IMDb profile

The Princess Bride is a 1987 film about a sick grandson, whose grandfather comes to tell him a story. The story includes according to the grandfather, "fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles."

Plot

The film begins with a grandfather visiting his sick, grumpy grandson and offering to read him a story called 'The Princess Bride.' The story begins with the budding romance of a country girl named Buttercup and a farm boy named Wesley. (This disgusts the grandson.) However, Wesley leaves to make his fortunes in the world, only to be murdered by pirates. Several years later, Prince Humpadink announces his engagement to Buttercup; the new princess does not love the prince. One day she is kidnapped by three vagabonds hired to start a war by killing the Princess and blaming it on another country. The trio consists of a temperamental Sicilian named Vizzini, a giant named Fezzik and a Spaniard named Inigo Montoya.

The group is trailed by a mysterious man dressed in black as well as by Prince Humpadink's knights. The man in black defeats Inigo in fencing, out-wrestles Fezzik and kills Vizzini in a 'battle of wits.' He takes the Princess with him and eventually reveals that he is Wesley. The two run from the Prince into the fire-swamp and although they survive, the Prince still manages to surround them. Buttercup gives in to the Prince saying that if he spares Wesley she will marry. Although Humpadink appeases Buttercup, he orders Wesley taken to the 'Pit of Despair' to be used for experimentation on torture.

Safe in the castle, Buttercup regrets agreeing to marry the Prince and eventually comes out and tells him he is a coward. In response, Humpadink kills Wesley in the pit of despair. In the meantime, Inigo, who is looking for the man who long ago murdered his father for years, tries to find Wesley. He and Fezzik find him dead, but manage to get Miracle Max to restore him to life, although somewhat weakened.

Since it is the night of the wedding, the three prepare to take the castle by surprise.

Cast

Robin Wright - Princess Buttercup

Cary Elwes - Wesley

Mandy Patinkin - Inigo Montoya

Wallace Shawn - Vizzini

André the Giant - Fezzik

Chris Sarandon - Prince Humperdinck

Christopher Guest - Count Rugen

Peter Falk - The Grandfather / Narrator

Fred Savage - The Grandson

Peter Cook - The Impressive Clergyman

Mel Smith - The Albino

Carol Kane - Valerie

Billy Crystal - Miracle Max

Reception

The film was only a mild success, grossing only $30,857,814 in the USA. The film was nominated for only one Academy Award for Best Music/Original Song.