The movie opens with the fairy tale story, ""The Princess Bride" being read aloud by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his grandson (Fred Savage) as a way of passing the time while the grandson is home sick from school. As he reads the story, the action comes alive.

Cary Elwes plays the role of Westley, a stable boy who falls deeply in love with the young, beautiful maiden, Buttercup (Robin Wright). She treats him terribly but no matter what she says or does, he always responds with "as you wish." Over time, she sees the light and realizes she too is in love. They pledge their everlasting faithfulness and - since this is a fairy tale - something dreadful happens. Westley is kidnapped and killed by pirates. At least, that's what Buttercup is led to believe. After Westley's "death," Buttercup becomes engaged to the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).

Before her wedding day, Buttercup is kidnapped by a motley gang (Andre the Giant, Wallace Shawn, and Mandy Patinkin) intent on creating war between two kingdoms. Just as she is about to be killed, she's rescued by the Dread Pirate Roberts - who turns out to be her true love, Westley. Westley and Buttercup flee from Prince Humperdinck's men (it turns out the Prince wouldn't mind seeing his fiancee turn up dead) and encounter all sorts of strange beasts and harrowing situations.

"The Princess Bride" is one of the few films that has a little something for everybody. It's also one of those films that almost hypnotizes you into not turning the channel when you've already seen it hundreds of times!


Director: Rob Reiner
Producers: Norman Lear, Rob Reiner & Andrew Scheinman
Written By: William Goldman
Cinematographer: Adrian Biddle
Film Editor: Robert Leighton
Production Design: Norman Garwood
Casting: Jane Jenkins & Janet Hirshenson
Set Decoration: Maggie Gray
Original Music: Willy DeVille & Mark Knopfler
Costume Design: Phyllis Dalton

Westley - Cary Elwes
Buttercup - Robin Wright
Inigo Montoya - Mandy Patinkin
Prince Humperdinck - Chris Sarandon
Vizzini - Wallace Shawn
Fezzik - Andre the Giant
The Albino - Mel Smith
Valerie - Carol Kane
Miracle Max - Billy Crystal
Grandfather - Peter Falk
Grandson - Fred Savage
Clergyman - Peter Cook

"The Princess Bride" is rated PG and was released in 1987.

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