Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Andre The Giant, Peter Falk, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, Mel Smith, Peter Cook.
Running Time: 99 Minutes
Certificate: PG
Extras: So many, we’ve listed them all below!
There’s not many truly timeless tales of this kind in modern movie history, with echoes of THE NEVERENDING STORY and LABYRINTH in Rob Reiner’s tale that’s taken from the adaption of William Goldman’s witty 1973 novel…who originally influenced who? I guess we’ll never know but what we do know is this fantasy story still holds a massive charm over all of them – even 25 years on.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE is a classic fantasy adventure, with a foundation of the essence of true love giving it a sturdy base. I found this film later on in life than most, and although sometimes I think it’s more set in the hearts of a North American audience, the longevity of the movie has moulded this into a cult-classic that now spans generations and countries.
The story goes that Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) is lovelorn and lost after the loss of her beloved sweetheart Wesley (Cary Elwes). One day, she’s kidnapped by crook Vizzini (Wallace Shawn – now the voice of Rex in TOY STORY!) with his sidekicks Fezzik The Giant (Andre The Giant) and highly-skilled swordsman Inigo Montoya (none other than HOMELAND’s Mandy Patinkin). However, she keeps on believing that Wesley will come back to rescue her one day.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE is quirky, comical, completely distinctive (and undoubtedly romantic) and if you haven’t watched it, you really should. If you remember it from your youth – and now have kids – it’s one to share and join in the journey. The film also reminds us that children’s stories can have emotion, but also terror and sword-fights and still have an impact. It’s worth noting that the epic sword battle between Mandy Patinkin and Cary Elwes, saw them both train for 8 months on their own fencing, both left and right-handed. Reiner also believes it just may be the longest on-screen sword-fight. It’s quite a mini-epic, plus you’ll realise where you first heard that cult-classic line “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die”. It’s legendary and I’ve not even mentioned Billy Crystal or Peter Cook’s cameos!
In an age where stories for younger audiences can fail to scare, or excite, THE PRINCESS BRIDE sets a standard that will surely entice for another 25 years. Now, that’s not remotely inconceivable! Check out the stunning extras, including all-new Blu-ray additions. The interview with Rob Reiner, Cary and Robin is a really great retrospect with them all looking back 25 years and reminiscing. Plus there’s endless featurettes, talks with fans and more.
This is an extraordinary collection put together with a lot of heart. Here’s a full list of what to expect:
NEW BLU-RAY EXTRAS
- True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon: A Conversation with Rob Reiner, Cary Elwes, and Robin Wright (14mins)
- True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon: Entering the Zeitgeist (14mins)
- The Art of Fencing (7mins)
- Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Legend of the Seven Seas (12mins)
- Miraculous Makeup (11mins)
- Princess Bride: The Untold Tales (9mins)
- Fairytales and Folklore (9mins)
- Love is like a Storybook (17mins)
OTHER BLU-RAY EXTRAS
- Commentary by Director Rob Reiner
- Commentary by Author William Goldman
- As You Wish – Documentary (27 mins)
- 1987 Original Featurette (7mins)
- 1987 Making of Featurette (7mins)
- Cary Elwes On Set Video (4mins)
- Trailers & TV Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
- International Trailer
- TV Spots
- Photo Gallery
THE PRINCESS BRIDE: 25th Anniversary is released on Blu-ray on March 25th. You can order your copy via this link: The Princess Bride – 25th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray]
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Also, just for the hell of it, here’s some some stills from the movie…As You Wish…
