The Princess Bride (1987)

Director:

Rob Reiner

Writers:

William Goldman (book)
William Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 September 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

Scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, Battling Rodents of Unusual Size, Facing torture in the Pit of Despair. - True love has never been a snap.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Pirate | Swamp | Giant | Princess

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Cary Elwes	...	Westley
Mandy Patinkin	...	Inigo Montoya
Chris Sarandon	...	Prince Humperdinck
Christopher Guest	...	Count Tyrone Rugen
Wallace Shawn	...	Vizzini
André the Giant	...	Fezzik (as Andre the Giant)
Fred Savage	...	The Grandson
Robin Wright	...	The Princess Bride
Peter Falk	...	The Grandfather / Narrator
Peter Cook	...	The Impressive Clergyman
Mel Smith	...	The Albino
Carol Kane	...	Valerie
Billy Crystal	...	Miracle Max
Anne Dyson	...	The Queen
Margery Mason	...	The Ancient Booer
Malcolm Storry	...	Yellin
Willoughby Gray	...	The King
Betsy Brantley	...	The Mother
Paul Badger	...	The Assistant Brute
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Errol Bennett	...	The Balladeer's Percussionist (uncredited)
Willy DeVille	...	The Balladeer (voice) (uncredited)
Mickey Feat	...	The Balladeer's Bassist (uncredited)
Guy Fletcher	...	The Balladeer's Keyboardist (uncredited)
Mark Knopfler	...	The Balladeer's Guitarist (uncredited)
Jamie Lane	...	The Balladeer's Drummer (uncredited)
Sallie McLaughlin	...	(uncredited)
Derek Pykett	...	Villager (uncredited)

Directed by
Rob Reiner

Writing credits
William Goldman		(book)
William Goldman		(screenplay)

Produced by
Norman Lear	....	executive producer
Steve Nicolaides	....	associate producer
Rob Reiner	....	producer
Andrew Scheinman	....	producer
Jeffrey Stott	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Mark Knopfler

Cinematography by
Adrian Biddle

Film Editing by
Robert Leighton

Casting by
Janet Hirshenson
Jane Jenkins

Production Design by
Norman Garwood

Art Direction by
Richard Holland
Keith Pain		(supervising art director)

Set Decoration by
Maggie Gray

Costume Design by
Phyllis Dalton

Makeup Department
Lois Burwell	....	makeup supervisor
Andy Clement	....	special makeup effects assistant
Eithne Fennel	....	supervising hair stylist (as Eithne Fennell)
Nick Forder	....	makeup artist
Jan Jamison	....	hair stylist
Peter Montagna	....	makeup designer: Mr. Crystal
Peter Montagna	....	makeup designer: Ms. Kane
Barbara Ritchie	....	hair stylist
Peter Robb-King	....	makeup artist

Production Management
David Barron	....	production manager: UK
Loretta Ordewer	....	unit manager: Derbyshire
Mark E. Pollack	....	executive in charge of production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ken Baker	....	assistant director
Peter Bennett	....	assistant director
Paul Taylor	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Bruce Bigg	....	property master
Sharon Cartwright	....	draftsperson
Derek Creedon	....	dressing propman
Mick Flanders	....	dressing propman (as Michael Flanders)
Brian P. Harris	....	dressing propman (as Brian Harris)
Les London	....	stand-by propman
Jill Quertier	....	production buyer
John Ralph	....	draftsperson
Lucy Richardson	....	draftsperson
Alfie Smith	....	stand-by propman
Bill Stallion	....	storyboard artist
Micky Swift	....	stand-by propman (as Mickey Swift)
Peter Verard	....	construction manager
Peter Wallis	....	dressing propman
John Alvin	....	poster artist (uncredited)
Brian Muir	....	sculptor (uncredited)
Keith Short	....	sculptor (uncredited)

Sound Department
Tom Bellfort	....	sound editor
Lon Bender	....	supervising sound editor (as Lon E. Bender)
Sandy Berman	....	special sound effects
David E. Campbell	....	sound re-recording engineer
Jacqueline Cristianini	....	sound editor (as Jacqueline Christianini)
Cameron Frankley	....	sound editor
Chris Hogan	....	sound assistant
Michael Hoskinson	....	sound assistant (as Michael R. Hoskinson)
Joe Hutshing	....	sound assistant
David John	....	sound mixer
Randy Kelley	....	sound editor
Larry Kemp	....	sound editor
Matthew Launay	....	boom operator
Joseph A. Mayer	....	adr supervisor (as Joe Mayer)
Vince Melandri	....	sound editor
John T. Reitz	....	sound re-recording engineer
Dan M. Rich	....	sound editor (as Dan Rich)
Ronald Roose	....	sound editor (as Ron Roose)
Gregg Rudloff	....	sound re-recording engineer
Hugo Weng	....	sound editor
William Dotson	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Craig Harris	....	special sound effects (uncredited)
Barbara McBane	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Bob Newlan	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Greg Orloff	....	foley mixer (uncredited)
David Young	....	sound transfer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Nick Allder	....	special effects supervisor
Robert Harman	....	cliff climbing effects: second unit: Ireland (as Bob Harmon)
John Hatt	....	special effects technician
Ron Hone	....	special effects technician (as Ronald Hone)
Phil Knowles	....	special effects technician (as Philip Knowles)
Terry Schubert	....	special effects technician
Rodger Shaw	....	animatronic supervisor
Neil Swan	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Bob Cuff	....	matte artist (as Bob Cuffe)
John Grant	....	matte supervisor
Kent Houston	....	matte supervisor
Edward Jaffe	....	grip: model photography unit
Ken Marschall	....	additional matte painter
John Morgan	....	camera operator: model photography unit
Nigel Stone	....	loader: model photography unit
Jonathan Taylor	....	focus: model photography unit (as Jonathon Taylor)
Paul Wilson	....	model photographer: model photography unit

Stunts
Andy Bradford	....	stunts
George Lane Cooper	....	stunts (as George Cooper)
Sue Crosland	....	stunts (as Sue Crossland)
Peter Diamond	....	stunt coordinator
Reg Harding	....	stunts
Terry Richards	....	stunts
Jason White	....	stunts
Kevin Hudson	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ray Andrew	....	director of photography: Ireland second unit
Philip Aylewood	....	assistant camera: Ireland second unit
Clive Coote	....	still photographer
Gary Cross	....	electrician
Kevin Day	....	gaffer
John Deaton	....	assistant camera: Ireland second unit
Alfie Emmins	....	electrician
John Flemming	....	grip
Brian Harris	....	camera operator: Ireland second unit
Martin Hume	....	focus puller
Andy McDade	....	electrician
Terry Nightingall	....	camera loader
Shaun O'Dell	....	camera operator
John Outred	....	assistant camera: Ireland second unit
Nick Phillips	....	assistant camera: Ireland second unit
Larry Randall	....	best boy electric
Dave Ridout	....	electrician (as David Ridout)
Toby Tyler	....	electrician
Al Wilson	....	generator operator
Severin Woxholt	....	assistant camera: Ireland second unit
Lee McLaughlin	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Chris Warren	....	video operator: second unit (uncredited)

Animation Department
Nigel Trevessey	....	mechanical designer (as Nigel D. Trevessey)

Casting Department
Michael Hirshenson	....	casting assistant: USA

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Judy Bagley-Shaw	....	wardrobe assistant
John Birkinshaw	....	wardrobe assistant (as John Birkenshaw)
Jane Hamilton	....	assistant costume designer
Richard Pointing	....	wardrobe supervisor
Joyce Stoneman	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Phil Downey	....	color timer
Paul Hodgson	....	assistant editor
Jack Hooper	....	negative cutter
Andrew MacRitchie	....	assistant editor
Steven Nevius	....	assistant editor (as Steve Nevius)
Adam Weiss	....	associate editor

Music Department
Marc Di Sisto	....	music recording engineer (as Marc De Sisto)
Michael Dittrick	....	music editor
Guy Fletcher	....	musician: keyboards
Mark Knopfler	....	musician: guitar
Errol Bennett	....	musician: percussions (uncredited)
Willy DeVille	....	singer (uncredited)
Mickey Feat	....	musician: bass (uncredited)
Jamie Lane	....	musician: drums & percussions (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Michael Bevan	....	unit driver (as Mike Bevan)
Roy Clarke	....	unit driver
Gordon Curran	....	unit driver
Terry Pritchard	....	unit driver
Terry Tapping	....	unit driver

Other crew
Bob Anderson	....	sword master
Gillian Bates	....	production coordinator
John Beharrell	....	production accountant
Bi Benton	....	assistant to producers
Danny Blackner	....	R.O.U.S. performer
Jennifer Collen-Smith	....	unit publicist
Leslie Cornyn	....	post-production accountant
Kevin De La Noy	....	production runner
Ceri Evans	....	script supervisor
Penelope Forrester	....	assistant accountant
Barry Fowler	....	mold making supervisor
Anthony Georghiou	....	R.O.U.S. performer
Paul Gregory	....	location projectionist
Alex Harwood	....	pattern maker
Bob Jordan	....	assistant location manager
Vivien Jordan	....	production secretary: UK
Trevor Kaye	....	production runner
Beverley Keogh	....	crowd coordinator
Emily Maupin	....	personal assistant: Mr. Reiner
Peter Morley	....	location projectionist
Philip Morley	....	location projectionist
Susan Nicholson	....	assistant accountant
Lori Patterson	....	production secretary: USA
Paul Shersby	....	location manager
Li Chin Tye	....	first aid
Bill Tomlinson	....	advisor: swordfighting choreography (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Act III Communications (presents)
• Buttercup Films Ltd.
• The Princess Bride Ltd.

Distributors

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1987) (USA) (theatrical)
• Interaccess Film Distribution (1987) (Non-USA) (theatrical)
• Jugendfilm-Verleih (1988) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Film & Teater (1988) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Nelson Entertainment (1988) (USA) (VHS)
• Nelson Entertainment (1988) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Vestron Video International (1988) (Belgium) (VHS)
• Finnkino (1989) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Criterion Collection, The (1989) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Oy Europa Vision AB (1989) (Finland) (VHS)
• Fox Network (1990) (USA) (TV)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
• New Line Home Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1997) (Finland) (TV)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (VHS)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2001) (Finland) (TV)
• Concorde Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
• LW Editora (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2008) (UK) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Atlantic Film (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Pan Vision Oy (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• LK-TEL Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Vestron Video (19??) (UK) (video) (laserdisc)

Special Effects

• Peerless Camera Company (matte paintings) (as Peerless London)
• Matte Effects (additional matte paintings)

Other Companies

• Pinewood Studios  movie studio
• A&M Studios  music recorded at
• Entertainment Completions Inc.  completion bond
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by
• Joel Optics Ltd.  contact lenses supplier
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Lion's Gate Studios  sound re-recording
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Palmbrokers  greenery (uncredited)
• Warner Bros. Records  soundtrack released by

Also Known As:

"The Bridges' Bride" - Philippines (English title)
"Princess Bride Story" - Japan (English title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Netherlands:AL (original rating) (1988) | Norway:10 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) | Philippines:G | Iceland:L | West Germany:6 | South Korea:All | Brazil:Livre | Australia:G (TV rating) | Canada:PG | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Netherlands:12 (re-rating) (2010) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) (2007) | Portugal:M/6

Filming Locations:

Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Act III Communications

Trivia:

According to author William Goldman, when he was first trying to get the movie made in the 1970s, a then-unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to play Fezzik, and he was strongly being considered because Goldman could never get his first choice, André the Giant, to read for the role. By the time the movie was made about 12 years later, Arnold was such a big star they could not afford him, Andre was cast after all and the two big men had gone on to become friends.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Inigo jumps against the door to get at Rugen, the whole wall moves. Clearly it isn't a real stone castle wall.

Quotes:

[first lines]
The Mother:Hi, honey.
The Grandson:Hi, Mom.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "G.I. Joe: Renegades: Brothers of Light (#1.13)" (2011)

Soundtrack:

I Will Never Love Again

True Love Conquers All

Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, and Robin Wright Penn star in this classic fairy tale entitled The Princess Bride. It is based on a novel by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay. Director Rob Reiner brings life to this story and effectively evokes the enchanting spirit of the witty 1973 novel.

The movie opens with a sick boy (Fred Savage) who receives a visit from his grandfather (Peter Falk) who intends to read to him from his favorite book. The boy is not exactly pleased to be distracted from his world of video games. However, his mood quickly changes as he and the viewer are transported to a place out of time. We are taken to Florin, a kingdom in an imaginary land, complete with dashing heroes, cowardly princes, rhyming giants, rodents of unusual size, fancy swordfights, and yes . . . even some kissing.

This fairy tale begins on a farm in the countryside. There lives a beautiful, young woman named Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) who learns that "as you wish" really means "I love you" when she falls for her farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes). While trying to seek his fortune, Westley disappears at sea and becomes an apparent victim of the Dread Pirate Roberts. A few years later, Buttercup, who is now engaged to Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), is kidnapped by a trio of misfits, which includes brains--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn); brawn--Fezzik (André the Giant); and sword--Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). As they sail away toward the Cliffs of Insanity, they notice the pursuit of a man in black. Now begins the adventure . . . .

The central idea of The Princess Bride is that true love can conquer all. Throughout the movie, there are many hardships and trials that true love must endure. The movie keeps the viewer guessing until the very end whether or not there will be the classic fairy tale ending.

This movie is appealing to me because of the classic fairy tale style combined with the witty humor, well choreographed action sequences, and intense instances of suspense. The characters are well developed and all the actors give an amazing performance which adds to the overall appeal of the movie. The Princess Bride is easily one of my all time favorite movies.