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Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest ... see more see more... , Wallace Shawn , Peter Falk , Fred Savage , André the Giant , Peter Cook , Carol Kane , Billy Crystal , Mel Smith , Betsy Brantley , Anne Dyson , Willoughby Gray , Margery Mason , Malcolm Storry , Jane Jenkins , Janet Hirshenson

Based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk's character assures a romance-weary S... read more read more...avage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story, including but not limited to fencing, fighting, torture, death, true love, giants, and pirates. Indeed, The Princess Bride offers a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy-turned-pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright), his true love, away from the evil prince (Chris Sarandon), whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death. With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max (Billy Crystal), swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and a very large man named Fezzik (Andre the Giant), the star-crossed lovers are reunited. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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92% liked it

483,334 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

48 critics

PG, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Rob Reiner

Release Date: September 25, 1987

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DVD Release Date: January 26, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (48,968)

  • jmanard52
    March 20, 2007
    jmanard52
    Simply one of the best movies ive ever seen. it just had everything in a simple fun great way. My 5 year old even loves this movie.
  • blacksheepboy
    February 23, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    An overrated fairy tale that has curiously gained the status of cult along the years. The type of enjoyable bedtime story that may appeal to the youngsters, even if it doesn't have a very good timing for humor and the characters are not too interesting.
  • MovieGeek13
    December 5, 2011
    MovieGeek13
    There's really nothing bad to be said about Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride. It's a fairy tale about true love conquering all, but framed through a very real life event - an old man telling his grandson a bedtime story. This framed narrative was the thing that truly caught my eye... read more. Why did the film include this? Everything about the fantasy story's dashing farmhand fighting to be with the woman who loves him works. I think the film includes this device to make it known that a story about true love could be just that: a story. But the young boy is enthralled by this theme and wants everything to work out for the main characters. Something about true love speaks to even a child; not to mention the old man, who is as cheerful in telling this story as the young child is in listening to it. Perhaps the possibility of one day finding true love and the ever more challenging quest to keep it alive is one of the great joys of life, one of our most important reasons to be. Every woman I know loves this movie, and thinks Cary Elwes as Westley is one of the most perfect males they've ever seen. Even the men I know who have seen it will tell say, "Yeah, that is a pretty good movie" in the most masculine way they can. Yes, The Princess Bride's message of true love even works on the manly man. The film is also packed with a great cast aside from Mr. Elwes. Robin Wright is as gorgeous as ever as Buttercup. Mandy Patinkin is pure comic relief as Inigo Montoya. And Andre the Giant is the big softy with a heard of gold and force that can knock down whole doors. No matter who you are, you must have a heart of stone if you don't see the magic and the charm of this wonderfully well made movie.
  • FilmFanatik
    November 25, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Described by fans and film critics alike as a 'modern day Wizard of Oz,' The Princess Bride is one of the most enduring and most popular fairy tale films with enough star power to light a Christmas tree. The film is at once whimsical and enchanting, while also appealing to both c... read morehildren and adults. This appeal is what gives it its staying power, as it's been passed down from one generation to the next. With wonderful performances and a Pythonesque attitude to its comedy, it always feels fresh and alive. I could go on and on about how well-made this particular picture is, but I'm sure those of you who are actually reading this already know. And those who don't, do yourself a favor and see this little gem.
  • spielberg00
    October 7, 2011
    spielberg00
    A misleadingly-titled comedy, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is such fun--like Monty Python-ish humor suited for the whole family.

    This will certainly please kids and grown-ups alike. It is simply inconceivable to think that some scenes won't have you rolling around on the floor, mo... read moreaning breathlessly for air.

    After all, who wouldn't love a satirical viewpoint on the stereotypes, clichà (C)s, and corniness of CINDERELLA and SLEEPING BEAUTY? (Or that's what I saw it as, at least.) This was the perfect princess movie, and there's nothing Disney about it.
  • CloudStrife84
    August 15, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Not as good as I thought it would be, but still an enjoyable adventure. It's also part of the lovable genre that is 80's fantasy, alongside movies like Krull and The Neverending Story. After seeing the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films, however, this suddenly... read more becomes quite pale in comparison.
  • riverdale237
    August 12, 2011
    riverdale237
    "The Princess Bride" is one of the few movies that can combine comedy, action, romance and fantasy and still have a good movie (Succeeding where "The Last Action Hero" failed) It was funny, suspenseful, and above all enjoyable.

    First of all, I really liked the cast in this one... read more. I really loved Mandy Patinkin as Indigo Montoya. One of the 80's best performances. I also felt that Cary Elwes did a really good job too.

    The script is obviiously the strength. There are tons of memorable quotes in this one. Some are beautifully written, some are menacing, and there are many that are downright funny ("There's a difference between partly dead, and mostly dead" being one of them)

    The fight choreography was really good too. This would have some of the best choreographed fight scenes untill 2004's "Troy" came out.

    Overrall, "The Princess Bride" is one of my favorite movies. Practically perfect.
  • fb100002090596996
    August 12, 2011
    fb100002090596996
    An excellent fantasy tail about a thief, a princess, an evil intention, a man with a chainsaw, and a torture machine. Really. When you see the title that's called "The Princess Bride", you'll think about some sort of Disney film like Cinderella, right? This isn't one of those cas... read morees. Truth is, The Princess Bride is a mature fantasy tale. Sure, go take your 4 and 5 year old kids to see it... you'll not only regret it, but other parents who have seen the movie will look at you in a way as if they're thinking "That look on his face... I've seen it before... it was my same face when I took my 4 year old daughter to see this movie..." Please, think twice. That PG rating is misleading, as if it were rated by today's MPAA, then BING! Instant PG-13. Why? For a start, there are many F-Words in this movie, at least 9 of them, however, they're all in Spanish, so if you're children know fluent Spanish... beware... on the brighter side, the MPAA allows F-Bombs in different languages, as we all know, "English is the most popular language on Earth". Why did I put those quotation marks there, you ask? It's just that, a quotation from the Japanese Anime series Death Note, as well as the movie live-action movie, Death Note. Back to the topic, there is also a murderer with a chainsaw as a subplot near the end of the film. However, this is just a dark theme, and no one is ever harmed or killed (with the chainsaw, of course, there is still a huge body count), but this isn't some sort of Disney-like "calm down" effect. He is STILL a man with a chainsaw, so people will cower in fear if death as an insane man chases them down with a chainsaw. Oh, and by the way... that man is supposed to be a GOOD guy, just another tip for you. Last things last. There is a torture machine that emits electricity on the pull of the lever, and near the end of the film, someone even dies because the guy torturing him put it up a bit too high for the the man to live. I know this is more of a parental guide than a review (or at least it may seem), but it's just me saying that even men like myself will enjoy this movie very much. This is a must watch for people who love old-time fantasies. Oh, and just a reminder, when I say "A Mature Fantasy Film" I don't mean something quite as mature as the R-RATED Pan's Labyrinth (which I really want to see). It's still in a PG-13 range, so if you have a 12 or 13 year old daughter or son, feel free to let them watch with ease. Oh, and before you do, watch it yourself. Not to see if it's okay... but because it's a great movie.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    August 8, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

    A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather).

    RE
    ... read moreVIEW
    The Princess Bride is one of the most sincere and heartfelt fantasy movies I've ever seen. The movie is framed as a story that a grandfather reads to his sick grandson and it's a perfect idea for a movie that has some tongue-in-cheek takes on fantasy clichés.

    The story begins with Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes), two farmers who fall in love. He decides to leave and return one day a rich man to marry her. Then she hears he was killed by a pirate and Prince Humperdinck decides to make her his bride. But when they least expect Westley returns for 'true love' and the story turns into one of the funniest and most fast-paced adventure ever. There are deadly eels, giant rodents, dangerous forests, giants, revenge-obsessed swordsmen, and miracles. The heroes are noble and fair, and the villains despicable. And true love wins in the end. A movie has never been more honest about its intentions than The Princess Bride.

    The cast is mostly great, especially Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin, a swordsman looking for the man who killed his father. Penn could have been a more interesting character than the usual damsel in distress, but I guess some clichés you just don't touch. Peter Falk has a short but adorable role as the grandfather trying to pass to his grandson some of the pleasure of reading books.

    The Princess Bride is a wonderful story that should appeal to anyone who never lost their sense of wonder and who still like to see the good guys truly win without compromises, something rare these days in mainstream cinema. It's a charming movie that has no pretensions about what it is and which does everything right. Watch it and love it!
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 30, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Princess Bride is a flawless family film that will appeal to people of all ages I was a bit apprehensive about watching this film, but I finally did. This is a classic comedy that has something for everyone.. The cast is terrific. The story of the film really plays out on two... read more side, one is a grandfather reading the story, the Princess Bride, and the other you see the events of the story itself. Rob Reiner is a terrific story teller, and The Princess Bride is a well crafted fairy tale that because there is such a broad sense of humour in the film, there are many things that will appeal to adults as well. The cast in the film are wonderful and they deliver memorable, fun performances. The Princess Bride is not your average fairy tale, and what I liked about it was that it was different. The fact that it had something for everyone made it different, and more enjoyable. Whats great with the fil is that you're able to recognize many of the actors. The Princess Bride has a well assembled cast of varied talent. The Princess Bride is one of the definitive classic family films. The film has aged well, and it still has all the magic that you first remembered while first seeing it. This is a film to pass on to your kids and your kids will pass on to their kids. A wonderful fun filled comedy that should be seen again and again.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
August 13, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Based on William Goldman's novel, this is a post-modern fairy tale that challenges and affirms the conventions of a genre that may not be flexible enough to support such horseplay. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
August 13, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Rob Reiner's friendly 1987 fairy-tale adventure delicately mines the irony inherent in its make-believe without ever undermining the effectiveness of the fantasy. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 5, 2003
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Since its release more than 15 years ago, The Princess Bride has often been copied, but never equaled. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This material might easily have lent itself to broad parody or become too cute for its own good. But Mr. Reiner presents it as a bedtime story, pure and simple. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Bride achieves much more than most film comedies. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

It's a lively, fun-loving, but nevertheless epic look at the nature of true love. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is filled with good-hearted fun. Full Review

April 4, 2012
Film4

A witty, even clever-clever, exercise in deconstructing fairytales that became something of a cult with fans of its ironic/comic charms. Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors
January 1, 2011
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media

Witty, winsome fairy tale for the whole family. Full Review

Tim Brayton
May 25, 2010
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

An inordinately smart and sly motion picture, one that has enough simple pleasures to succeed as one of the better popcorn movies of its decade. Full Review

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    • Fezzik: It's not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don't even exercise.
    • Vizzini: You only think I guessed wrong! That's what's so funny! I switched glasses when your back was turned! Ha ha, you fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line.
    • Inigo Montoya: Do you have 6 fingers on your left hand.
    • Inigo Montoya: My name is Inigo Montoya, you've killed my father, prepare to die.
    • Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, where is that wheelbarrow that we left with the Albino?
    • Fezzik: Over the Albino...
    • Miracle Max the Wizard: He's only mostly dead. If he were all dead, there's only one thing you can do.
    • Inigo Montoya: And what's that?
    • Miracle Max the Wizard: Go through his pockets and look for loose change.
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The Princess Bride Trivia

  • In The Princess Bride, character Inigo Montoya is searching for what man?  Answer »
  • "Have fun storming the castle" is a quote from which movie?  Answer »
  • In what movie would you find the line "Have fun storming the castle!"  Answer »
  • What ex-wrestler co-starred in The Princess Bride  Answer »
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