The 1987 Princess Bride directed by Ron Reiner, staring Cady Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Chirs Sarandon is truly a feel good film. The plot is simple and deliberately clique. It begins with a Grandfather reading to his grandson, the book…’The Princess Bride’. A tale of love and adventure where our damsel in distress, Buttercup is kidnapped and forced to marry the villain Prince Humperdink. There is only one hope for out Buttercup. Westley, her childhood love, who Buttercup assumes dead, captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts.
A twist comes however a predictable one, when Westley returns under the guise of the Dread Pirate Roberts. As Westley begins his quest to save his one true love he meets a brilliant swords man and a giant. These characters we could not be without in any fairytale. As presumed these foes become companions and the trio form a firm friendship.
Clearly not a modern film, the special effects are poor, quick sand and fire breathing rats being my particular favourite. However I feel this adds to its charm, a film where the effects are secondary to the witty writing and loveable characters. The Princess Bride is clique to the point of satire and evokes a sense of humour while still giving the fuzzy feeling that every fairy tale should. This extends so far as the protagonists riding away, yes, into the sunset on white horses. The characters are humorous and developed well, with added catch phrases “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
You must watch this watch this film with a pinch of salt, expect the standard fairy tale scenarios and, of course a happy ending. But this is the beauty of the film, it would be wonderful if life was actually like this, and with so many harsh gritty films out there now, intended to shock and appal. It is truly a pleasure to relax into this happy world, though watch for the deeper levels of humour. "He's not completley dead, only mostly dead. And we can save someone who is only mostly dead".
A twist comes however a predictable one, when Westley returns under the guise of the Dread Pirate Roberts. As Westley begins his quest to save his one true love he meets a brilliant swords man and a giant. These characters we could not be without in any fairytale. As presumed these foes become companions and the trio form a firm friendship.
Clearly not a modern film, the special effects are poor, quick sand and fire breathing rats being my particular favourite. However I feel this adds to its charm, a film where the effects are secondary to the witty writing and loveable characters. The Princess Bride is clique to the point of satire and evokes a sense of humour while still giving the fuzzy feeling that every fairy tale should. This extends so far as the protagonists riding away, yes, into the sunset on white horses. The characters are humorous and developed well, with added catch phrases “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
You must watch this watch this film with a pinch of salt, expect the standard fairy tale scenarios and, of course a happy ending. But this is the beauty of the film, it would be wonderful if life was actually like this, and with so many harsh gritty films out there now, intended to shock and appal. It is truly a pleasure to relax into this happy world, though watch for the deeper levels of humour. "He's not completley dead, only mostly dead. And we can save someone who is only mostly dead".
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