The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, who adapted it from his novel.
The Princess Bride is a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy film. It blends romance, swordplay, and humour within a story read by a grandfather to his grandson.
What it is
Directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman from his own novel, the film follows farmhand Westley as he attempts to rescue Princess Buttercup from a forced marriage. The tale is presented as a story told to a sick boy by his grandfather, creating a nested narrative set in the fictional kingdom of Florin.
Why it’s a cult classic
Although not a major box-office hit on release, The Princess Bride gained widespread popularity through home video and television. Its quotable dialogue, blend of fantasy, adventure, and comedy, and broad appeal have made it a staple of English-language pop culture, familiar to Canadian audiences through frequent broadcasts and home video.
Key cast and characters
Cary Elwes stars as Westley, Robin Wright as Princess Buttercup, with Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Chris Sarandon, and Wallace Shawn in key roles. The framing story features Fred Savage as the grandson and Peter Falk as the grandfather reading the adventure aloud.
In short
- Adapted by William Goldman from his 1973 novel.
- Directed by Rob Reiner, released in 1987.
- Became a cult classic after home video success.
- Known for its mix of romance, comedy, and adventure.
The Princess Bride has long been familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical release, television, and home video, and it remains a widely cited cult film in English-language popular culture.
Quick questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/Supports: Identifies the film, release year, director, cast, and basic plot description.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Princess-Bride-film-by-ReinerSupports: Provides a reliable plot summary and confirms the film’s adaptation and principal characters.
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/princess_brideSupports: Confirms genre, director, screenwriter, distributor, release date, runtime, and box office information.
- American Film Institute — https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57788-THE-PRINCESS-BRIDE?cxt=ymalSupports: Confirms production credits including director and cinematography.