The Princess Bride - 24th Birthday!!!

I was flicking through the channels this morning, when who should appear on a morning news broadcast but a reunion of some of the cast of The Princess Bride !!  I stopped, of course, to watch Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Carole Kane, and Cary Elwes reminiscing about what it was like to be part of a movie that has ended up being an absolute classic.  It was charming, I grinned from ear to ear, and vowed to re-watch the movie this weekend. 

This film came out in 1987, and was directed by Rob Reiner.  It was not a big hit in the theatres.  However, it grew into a cult classic, with devoted fans, and then fandom spread until it became an actual bonafide classic in its own right, even making it onto top 100 movies of all time lists!  The movie is based on a book, written by William Goldman, and if you get your hands on the book it's an even bigger treat.  I have owned three copies of the book over the years.  One was lent to a friend, never to be seen again.  I hold no grudges, I wouldn't give it back either.  One was read over and over again until the covers fell off and it accidentally drowned in the bathtub.  I'm on my third copy, and make no promises. 

Why do I love this story/movie so much?  Number one, Rob Reiner is a genius, and made a practically perfect movie.  Number two, the cast is a-ma-zing!  Number three, William Goldman is a great screenwriter as well as author, and wrote some of the most quotable lines in moviedom.  Number four, true love, duelling, swords, giants, pirates.....need I say more?  For a girl addicted to fairy tales this movie has it all. 

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

We are men of action, lies do not become us. (Wesley)
As You Wish (Wesley)
Anybody want a peanut? (Fezzik)
He's still following us?  Inconceivable! (Vizzini)
You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means. (Inigo)
Have fun storming the castle! (Miracle Max and Valerie)
I'm not a witch, I'm your wife! (Valerie)
Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line! (Vizzini)
Let me 'splain.  No, there is too much, let me sum up. (Inigo)

And of course, the Impressive Clergyman is priceless in everything he says!

This movie makes it onto my desert island pile of books and movies, definitely.  It's a keeper, and stands the test of time.  It's hard to believe it's been almost a quarter of a century since I've first seen it.  Forever a classic in my heart, I highly recommend The Princess Bride.