The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride (1987) is a witty, warm-hearted fairy-tale adventure told with a knowing wink. Framed by a kindly grandfather who reads the story to his reluctant, sick grandson, the film blends swashbuckling action, sharp comedy, and genuine romance as the tale comes alive on screen. You follow Buttercup, a beautiful farm girl betrothed to the scheming Prince Humperdinck but still mourning her lost true love, Westley — once a humble farmboy who vowed his devotion with the phrase “as you wish.” Westley’s apparent death at the hands of the Dread Pirate Roberts sets off a chain of events: Buttercup’s kidnapping by a trio of oddball criminals (the clever Vizzini, the hulking Fezzik, and the vengeful swordsman Inigo Montoya), daring rescues, sword fights, secret identities, treacherous villains (including the six-fingered Count Rugen), a miraculous revival, and a perilous trek through the Fire Swamp full of memorable dangers. Viewing the movie is an entertaining, roller-coaster experience: rapid-fire, quotable dialogue; memorable, eccentric characters; touching romantic moments; physical comedy and tense duels; and touches of darker menace that make the stakes feel real. The film balances slapstick and satire with sincere emotional payoff—Inigo’s single-minded quest for justice and the lovers’ reunion are genuinely moving amid the laughs. Overall, The Princess Bride is a family-friendly classic that delights adults and children alike: a cleverly told, genre-mixing fairy tale that offers action, humor, heart, and some of cinema’s most enduring lines and characters.

Actors: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright

Director: Rob Reiner

Runtime: 98 min

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

7.4 /10 78 /100 8.0 /10 7.7 /10