Review for The Princess Bride 30th Anniversary Edition

The Princess Bride is generally regarded as one of the classic 1980s films. Written by Oscar Winner William Goldman, from his own book and Directed by Spinal Tap’s Rob Reiner this is a film that deserves its reputation as one of the most warm-hearted, funny, action packed and more importantly enjoyable films to ever be released and it is ‘inconceivable’ that anyone has not seen this film at some point in its thirty year existence.

A Grandfather is telling a story to his sick grandson called ‘The Princess Bride’. As he reads we see what the Grandfather is reading. A young woman called Buttercup falls for a Farm Boy called Westley once she realises that his only response of ‘As you wish’ was actually meaning ‘I love you’. He goes to sea to seek his fortune, only to be captured by Dread Pirate Roberts and presumed dead.

Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, but she is then kidnapped by three outlaws Vizzini who seems to think that everything is ‘inconceivable’, Fezzik a giant and Inigo Montoya, a Spanish fencing master looking for revenge on the six-fingered man who killed his father.

However, they are pursued by a mysterious man in black and also Prince Westley accompanied by Count Rugen. Who will get to them and will the Princess ever escape?

I love this film. The 1980s had so many of this type of film such as Willow and Krull, but for me this film had just the right elements of action and comedy and at times could almost be Monty Python for children. The action is perfect with the infamous sword fight between Westley and Inigo one of the best I have ever seen and the multiple cameos throughout are just joyous. It is surprising watching Mandy Patinkin in Criminal Minds or Cary Elwes in Saw without thinking of them saying some of their classic dialogue from this film.

Everything about this film still feels so fresh, the costume, the amazing music by Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler and the performances throughout make this film a classic that everyone will still be enjoying for another thirty years.

Extras include As You Wish, an up to date documentary from everyone involved reflecting on the making of the film. I actually expected this to be a lot longer than the half hour length, but it is still enjoyable. What is lovely is the tribute to Andre the Giant who everyone seemed to love working with.

1987 Original Featurette is a quick overview of the film with behind the scenes footage of the making of the film. 1987 Making of Featurette is a quick seven minute video similar to the other one from the time of how the film was made and is a great little video with interviews and behind the scenes footage of the making of the film. Cary Elwes On Set Video is a behind the scenes amateur video less than four minutes with some stories littered on it. Though I must say if the story of Waiting For Godot playwright Samuel Beckett driving Andre the Giant to school is true then that's amazing.

Trailers and TV Spots include the Theatrical, International Trailers and two minutes of TV adverts. Photo Gallery 40 pictures are nice but may have been better as a slideshow with some of Knopfler's music.

The two commentaries one by Writer William Goldman and one by Director Rob Reiner are fine in general. They both have some interesting stories about the making of the film. However, I think if they had done it together it would have been a lot better. There are a lot of quiet moments when the other could have spoken. Both are a must hear if you are a die-hard fan of the film and want to hear an in-depth stories about its creation.

The Princess Bride is a film that will never age. It will be a film that will be discovered by every generation and rediscovered by the one before for decades to come. It is inconceivable if you do not like this film and I do think I know what that means.

This Film’s name is The Princess Bride, it is Thirty Years Old, prepare to smile.