The Princess Bride

This page is about the 1987 film. For the 1973 book, see The Princess Bride (book).

The Princess Bride is a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, who also wrote the film's basis, the 1973 novel The Princess Bride.

Plot[]

The film is an enactment of a book that a grandfather reads to his sick grandson, who initially dismisses the story.

The tale is about Buttercup, a beautiful young woman living on a farm in the fictional kingdom of Florin. Whenever she tells farmhand Westley to do something, he always complies, saying, "As you wish." She eventually realizes that he loves her and she loves him. Westley leaves to seek his fortune overseas so they can marry. When his ship is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who is infamous for never leaving survivors, Westley is presumed dead.

Five years later, Buttercup is forced to become betrothed to Prince Humperdinck, the heir to the throne of Florin. Before the wedding, she is kidnapped by three outlaws, a short Sicilian boss named Vizzini, a giant from Greenland named Fezzik, and a Spanish fencing master named Inigo Montoya, who seeks revenge against a six-fingered man who murdered his father. The outlaws are pursued by Prince Humperdinck and his soldiers and also a masked man clad in black.

The man in black confronts the outlaws atop the Cliffs of Insanity. He defeats Inigo in a duel and knocks him out, chokes Fezzik into unconsciousness, and tricks Vizzini into drinking poison, killing him. He takes Buttercup prisoner and they flee, stopping near a gorge. Buttercup correctly guesses he is the Dread Pirate Roberts and berates him for killing Westley. Seeing Humperdinck and his men approaching, Buttercup shoves Roberts down a hill, wishing death upon him. While tumbling down, he shouts, "As you wish!" Realizing it is Westley, she throws herself into the gorge after him, and they are reunited.

Westley explains how the "Dread Pirate Roberts" is a title that is passed on to others; he took it so that the previous Roberts could retire. Having found Buttercup, Westley wants to surrender the title to another. Humperdinck captures the pair after they emerge from the dangerous Fire Swamp. Buttercup agrees to return with Humperdinck after he promises to release Westley. He then secretly orders his sadistic vizier, Count Rugen, to take Westley to his torture chamber, the Pit of Despair. Before being knocked out, Westley notices that Rugen has six fingers on his hand.

Humperdinck falsely promises Buttercup he will search for Westley. His real plan is to start a war with the neighboring country of Guilder by killing Buttercup and framing Guilder for her death. Meanwhile, Inigo and Fezzik are reunited after Humperdinck orders thieves to be arrested in the nearby forest. Fezzik tells Inigo about Rugen. Inigo decides Westley's help is needed to storm the castle.

Buttercup accuses Humperdinck of failing to search for Westley. Enraged, Humperdinck imprisons Buttercup, and tortures Westley, seemingly to death. Inigo and Fezzik, who have heard and followed Westley's wails through the forest, find his body and bring him to Miracle Max, a folk healer. Max revives the "mostly dead" Westley, though he is temporarily left extremely debilitated.

After Westley, Inigo and Fezzik infiltrate the castle, Humperdinck panics and orders the in-progress wedding ceremony to be shortened. Inigo finds and kills Rugen in a duel after repeatedly taunting him for killing his father. Westley locates Buttercup, who is about to commit suicide, believing she is married to Humperdinck. Westley assures her the marriage is invalid because she never completed her wedding vows; they then flee the castle. After killing Rugen, Inigo is unsure of what to do with his life. Westley offers him the Dread Pirate Roberts title, which Inigo considers. Fezzik has procured four horses, and he, Westley, Buttercup, and Inigo escape. Westley and Buttercup, safely reunited, share a passionate kiss.

Back in his bedroom, the boy eagerly asks his grandfather to read him the story again the next day, to which his grandfather replies, "As you wish.”

Cast[]

Framing story[]

Main story[]

Cary Elwes as Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts
Robin Wright as Buttercup
Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya
Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck
Christopher Guest as Count Tyrone Rugen
Wallace Shawn as Vizzini
André the Giant as Fezzik
Billy Crystal as Miracle Max
Carol Kane as Valerie
Peter Cook as The Impressive Clergyman
Mel Smith as The Albino
Margery Mason as The Ancient Booer
Malcolm Storry as Yellin
Anne Dyson as Queen Bella
Willoughby Gray as King Lotharon
Anthony Georghiou and Danny Blackner as rodents of unusual size.
- Rob Reiner as the rodents' growling noises.

Production[]

Behind the scenes[]

The film was shot from August 18, 1986 to December 1986 in various locations in England and Ireland, with sets filmed at Shepperton Studios.

Trivia[]

Advertising and Marketing[]

The Princess Bride Official Trailer -1 - Wallace Shawn Movie (1987) HD

The Princess Bride Official Trailer -2 - Wallace Shawn Movie (1987) HD


Cast	Cary Elwes • Mandy Patinkin • Chris Sarandon • Christopher Guest • Wallace Shawn • André the Giant • Fred Savage • Robin Wright • Peter Falk • Peter Cook • Mel Smith • Carol Kane • Billy Crystal
Characters	Westley • Inigo Montoya • Prince Humperdinck • Count Tyrone Rugen • Vizzini • Fezzik • The Grandson • Buttercup • The Grandfather • The Impressive Clergyman • The Albino • Valerie • Miracle Max
Crew	Rob Reiner • William Goldman
Related Media	Book • The Princess Bride Game • Soundtrack