Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5661 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-07-23
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Director Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride is a gently amusing, affectionate pastiche of a medieval fairytale adventure, offering a similar blend of warm, literate humour as his Stand By Me (1985) and When Harry Met Sally (1989). Adapted from his own novel, William Goldman's script plays with the conventions of such 1980s fantasies as Ladyhawke and Legend (both 1985), and with the budget never allowing for spectacle, sensibly concentrates on creating a gallery of memorable characters. Robin Wright makes a delightful Princess Buttercup, Cary Elwes is splendid as Westley and "Dread Pirate Roberts", while Mandy Patinkin makes fine Spanish avenger. With winning support from Mel Smith, Peter Cook, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane there is sometimes a Terry Gilliam/Monty Python feel to the proceedings, and the whole film is beautifully shot, with a memorably romantic main theme by Mark Knopfler. Occasionally interrupted by Peter Falk as a grandfather reading the story to his grandson, The Princess Bride is an elegant post-modern family fable about storytelling itself; a theme found in other 1980s films The Neverending Story (1984) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988). A modest, small-scale work that manages to be both cynically modern and genuinely romantic all at once. As charming as you wish.

On the DVD: The 1.77:1 anamorphic transfer is strong, if not quite as detailed as it might be. Colours lack just a little solidity and some scenes evidence a fair amount of grain. Released theatrically in Dolby stereo, the Dolby Digital 5.1 remix spreads the sound effectively across the front speakers but makes very little use of the rear channels indeed. Extras are limited to filmographies of five of the leading actors, and a 4:3 presentation of the theatrical trailer, which gives far too many of the film's surprises away.--Gary S Dalkin

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Traioler
Filmographies
English Dolby Digital 5.1

Synopsis
Director Rob Reiner breathes vividly colored cinematic life into William Goldman's THE PRINCESS BRIDE, effectively evoking the wondrous, wide-eyed spirit of the witty 1973 novel. When a sick boy (Fred Savage) receives a visit from his doting grandfather (Peter Falk) who intends to read to him from his favorite book, he's not exactly pleased to be extracted from his world of video games. However, his mood quickly changes as he, along with the viewer, is transported to a place out of time--to Florin, a kingdom in the ultimate imaginary land, complete with dashing heroes, cowardly princes, rhyming giants, shrieking eels, rodents of unusual size, fancy swordfights, and yes...even some kissing.
The lovely Buttercup (Robin Wright) learns that "As you wish" really means "I love you" when she falls for her charming farmhand, Westley (Cary Elwes). While trying to seek his fortune, however, Westley disappears at sea, an apparent victim of the Dread Pirate Roberts, who takes no prisoners. A few years later, Buttercup, engaged to the oily Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), is kidnapped by an oddball trio of rogues--brains, Vizzini (Wallace Shawn); brawn, Fezzik (Andre the Giant); and sword, Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin in a standout performance). As they sail away toward the Cliffs of Insanity, they notice the pursuit of a man in black...and the adventure begins. A clever fairy tale for all ages, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is arguably one of the funniest and most entertaining films of all time.

Customer Reviews

For children of all ages
This is one of those genius crossover pieces, made for children but with such witty dialogue and wordplay it is probably more often rewatched by adults.

So if you want masked men, giants, scheming princes, cunning sicillians, spanish swordsmasters, six-fingered men, swooning damsels, cynical miracle workers, depraved torturers, speech-challenged priests, not to mention, rodents of unusual size, this is the film for you.

It is "inconceivable" you will come away from this movie without remembering a line or two.

Intellgent cast, good pacing, great script.

My favourite film.
I like almost all genres of film. I am and have always been a cinema/film/movie devotee. Theatre, while occasionally diverting, is not my main thing. From 'straight' movies, through action/sci-fi/fantasy movies, to comedies... you name it, I will probably enjoy at least some of what is on offer.

Not counting what I have seen elsewhere, I personally own (not a single copy/fake/pirate!) almost a 1,000 films. Are there technically better made films? Certainly. Funnier? Some. More musical? Heck yeah. Over the years some films have challenged for my #1 spot. The Blues Brothers, Shawshank Redemption, Star Wars (IV-VI), Fifty/Fifty, Patlabor (1&2), Twelve Angry Men, to name a few.

But this film has it all. Unfortunately, to go into too much detail is like disecting a magic act. The setting is fixed. It's a fairy tale type film. But content is, in a way, not. Central theme is the love story. But almost everything else one could wish for is there. A fair bit of humour, some of it dark. Humanity. Revenge. Good vs Evil. Redemption. A little action. Easy to grasp characters.

For me, the star on the top of the tree is the friendship between Inigo and Fezzik. That theme is for me as much a crux as the headliner love thing between Wesley and Buttercup.

Can I guarantee you'll love this film? Well duuuuuh. No, I can't. I'm not often into hyping things up. But let's put it this way, I'd be very, very, very surprised if you don't at least like it.

Bonus: Though I consider this a family friendly movie, the PG rating is probably correct. For example: other than some mild (certainly by todays standards!) violence, one stong language phrase is used ('SoB'), and a slightly risque comment elsewhere.

"Have Fun Storming the Castle"
If you are looking for a slightly twisted, funny fairytale, you've come to the right place.

The movie opens with a sick boy (Fred Savage). His grandfather (Peter Falk) comes in and offers to read him a special story. Only because it has sports in it does the grandson agree to hear the story. But he is soon swept up into a magical story. Fortunately, we get to go along for the ride.

In a land far away lived a beautiful girl named Buttercup (Robin Wright). She enjoys tormenting the family servant Westley (Cary Elwes). Soon, they fall in love, and Westley sets off to seek his fortune in the world, promising to return for her one day.

His ship, however, is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, a man who takes no prisoners.

Three years pass, and Buttercup has agreed to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) even though she doesn't love him. On the day they announce their engagement, Buttercup is kidnapped by three evil men who intend to kill her. However, they are being followed by a man in black. Who is he? Will he rescue her? Is he even trying to rescue her?

This is one of those movies that requires two viewings. I'll admit I didn't appreciate this movie the first time around. The plot rambles all over the place, the scenes with the grandfather and grandson seem out of place, and the lines everyone quotes don't seem all that funny.

But on the second viewing, my opinion changed. When I wasn't trying to figure out the plot, I saw the humor in the piece. It's spoofing fairytales. As such, it is brilliant. And the dialogue truly is funny if you give it a second chance. Along the way, we get amazing sword fights, danger, and true love. What more could you want?

Now while I say this is a spoof, it's a general spoof of fairytales in general and none specifically. And it still takes itself seriously enough that you come to care for these characters and what happens to them.

So this is my advice. Watch the movie once, put it away for a while, and then try it again. I think you'll find it works much better when you know exactly what to expect.