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

Rating: Null/10 (7 September 2002)

There, I said it. Why is this such a classic line in the minds of many? I don't know, really. But I do know that the way that Mandy Patinkin delivers it in this film has 'classic line' written all over it. It's one of many classic lines, though, really, and with William Goldman the creative force behind the screenplay and the book on which it was based, it's no wonder. Rob Reiner, who by the time he started this project had only had the superb "This Is Spinal Tap" released to the public as evidence of his directorial talent. The rest of the credit belongs in large part to the perfectly-cast actors and actresses who peopled the slightly off-kilter fairytale realm in which the story is set.
I first saw this film (most of it -- I missed the very beginning) when, one night, I randomly turned on the TV and -- what are the odds -- was surprised to find something that actually seemed worth watching. I didn't know quite what the heck I WAS watching, but I knew that it was something right up my figurative alley. The self-aware and self-mocking humor and somewhat skewed dialogue and perspectives appealed almost as much as the obvious genre blending that, as I found out later, was probably largely responsible for the studio's failure to effectively market the film. I even recognized Christopher Guest, who played Spinal Tap's incredible lead guitarist, as one of the bad guys -- all right! You just know it's gotta be a classic, right? During one of those annoying too-frequent commercial breaks that mar US network television I found that the movie's title was "The Princess Bride." I'm glad that I didn't see it advertised by name first because the odds are good that I'd have never bothered finding out that this movie is far, far more than the sum of its title. I sat happily rapt through the rest of the movie and a few years later, holed up sick in a motel room on a tropical island, again saw all but the first part of the movie. Finally, a few weeks ago, I bought the Special Edition DVD of the thing. I'm glad I did. I've watched it twice with no voiceover commentary and one time each with commentary by Rob Reiner and William Goldman, respectively. And I'm just beginning!
My guess is that this has basically become a cult movie, and it seems that its popularity these days is largely based upon discovery of the movie via word of mouth when it was first released on videotape. I seem to like some of the quirkier 'cult' movies, and this is one I like very much. It's also unusual in that it truly is a 'family' movie, but one that'd appeal to a good number of the Rambo-wannabe young males who'd ordinarily have nothing to do with something titled "The Princess Bride." Actually, I guess I was among that number to an extent.
One of the film's greatest qualities is that it simultaneously manages to be both fairytale and fairytale parody. It lampoons the whole world of fairytale and fantasy while, at the same time, celebrating it. Most of the characters within play it for laughs, for the most part, other than the title character (who is, after all, a fairytale princess and not a female Groucho Marx) and Mandy Patinkin's Spanish revenge-bent swordsman, Inigo Montoya.
The cast, largely composed of lesser-known talents (at least at the time) and notably absent the big megastars that were then dominating the box office, is superb. The leads were basically unknowns, the beautiful and talented (nice English accent!) Robin Wright, who'd later go on to play Jenny in "Forrest Gump," and the suave and handsome Cary Elwes, who'd make a great Errol Flynn. Cary Elwes was a rare combination of male beauty, physical ability, and a sense of humor. Those qualities make him perfect for the part. Wally Shawn is also perfectly cast as the supremely intelligent (or so he thinks) Vizzini. Andre the Giant plays the role of giant that was (literally) made for him to play -- he does a good job and is very appealing as the archetypal gentle giant. Chris Sarandon gets to go way over the top to great effect as Prince Humperinck (apologies to Englebert, but did they choose the name just 'cos it's inherently funny?) and Christopher Guest shows off both another flawless British accent and the ability to quite effectively and quietly capture the feel of your basic model psychopathic sadist. Peter Cook even gets to make an appearance as a clergyman with a speech impediment. Billy Crystal is amazing in this film, in his role as a 'miracle man.' His ad-libs, too, add to the film. Carol Kane is also effective -- both of them in extreme make-up -- as his wife. Back in the present day reality, Peter Falk is great as the grandfather who's patiently reading the tale to his grandson, well played by young Fred Savage. I've saved Mandy Patinkin for last because of all of the stellar performances within this film it's his that is perhaps my favorite. Maybe some of it's empathy with his character -- some of us unreformed romantics empathize more with the lyrics of "The Impossible Dream" than others do -- but I thought that his was the performance of a career. And the initial swordfight between him and Cary Elwes was incredible, even moreso because the two actors trained long and hard to do all of it (other than a flip or two) themselves. Most impressive.
The story's packed with great lines -- it's not that the story is overly complicated or deep as much as it is that the characterizations are so intriguing and the lines so good -- but I'm outta room and all I can say is that you've got to catch this one for yourself. Have fun storming the video store.