“The Princess Bride” is one of my favorite movies of all time. It was released in 1987 and stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright Penn, in addition to several other star-studded cast members. He also mentions some of the most important things about his career. This is my top 10;
Great-grandson (Frede the Wild: Book)?
Grandpa (Peter Falk: Right. When I was your age, television was called books.
This quote always makes me laugh. It so happens that the grandfather prepares to read the story of “The Queen’s Bride” to his sick grandson. A child is not enthusiastic about being able to enjoy a book, but the truth is that books can give you so much more than TV or . Although I’m hardly at that age where I never had a television, I certainly read more children’s books than I watched t.v.
Inigo (Mandy Patinkin): “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
This scene is probably one of the most famous lines in the entire movie. Inigo swore to avenge his father when Inigo had been killed as a child and had devoted his whole life to him. He dreamed of the day that he would confront his father’s murderer and say those words When he finally has the chance to do it, you can’t help but feel the same way with him and do the words as you do. It is such a simple prayer, but it is so beautifully lied to. Not dramatic and yet when he repeats it, the fever and passion with which he delivers the line is as powerful as any Shakespearian speech.
Westley (Cary Elwes); All I can do is wait for a while.
That pretty much sums up the entire movie in that simple statement, and for any romantic truth, we know it to be true. Nothing in life or death can break the bonds of true love.
Vizzini (Wallace Shawn>: NOT THEM? IMPOSSIBLE.
Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin: Using that word. I don’t think it means anything.
It was to this place that the queen’s abduction, a ragtag group of fugitive criminals, was organized. Pursuing the man in black and the leader, Vizzini continues to describe the actions of the man in disguise. It is incomprehensible, and yet the man in black keeps coming. From this side of Vizzini, I begin to wonder if perhaps Vizzini even knows what he is talking about. It’s simply hilarious, and it shows that sometimes the people who do the most aren’t always the ones.
Battercup (Robin Wright>) : You laugh at my pain.
Westley (Cary Elwes: Life is pain, glory. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.
One of the reasons I think this movie is so great is the simple-of-life lines it contains. This is different. Granted that life is hard and that’s why the screen isn’t full of dozens of mushy love quotes. It adds a sense of honesty to the story and is told so succinctly and elegantly.
Miracle Max (Billy Crystal:
Another very, very memorable quote. Crystal Child as Miracle Max is a classic. The whole business is surprisingly quirky and this is one of the top lines of what they are. It’s just a fun line to recite in real life so irreverent.
Great-grandson (Fred the Wild: Look, I didn’t tell you that she never married the corrupt Humperdinck.
Grandpa (Peter Falk): You are too clever. Be silent.
Although grandfather and grandson don’t all that much screen time, their interactions are amazing. There is more character between the two of them in the short clips together than in any of the film. Here again we see a child with infinite childhood wisdom and a grandfather with a sharp, humorous response.
Miracle Maximilian (Billy Crystal> : Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend is the only one who died here. There’s a big difference between the dead and all the dead. Basically, the dead is living lightly. When For all the dead, well, for all the dead He usually does one thing.
Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin: What’s that?
Miracle Maximilian (Billy Crystal>): Go through his clothes and look for loose change.
One of my favorite characters is Miracle Max. The tradition of these verses is so great. The first part of the line gives you a chuckle, but the iron line adds more humor to it. We see more and more of his eccentric nature.
Fezzik (Andre the Giant): Why are you wearing a mask? Did you burn with acid or something?
Man in Black>: Ah no, it’s just that you’re very comfortable. I think everyone will have them in the future.
While Fezzik and Westley, dressed as “the man in black” fight, they have a conversation and Benedict is always so gentle in in giving up his defenses, he never gives away anything about who he is. he is a pirate and yet he is so cool and reserved, even while he is facing death in battle.
Westley (Cary Elwes): WILDLIFE. The ears you hold and what I have to say. That every cry of a child to see your ugliness should be comforted to you. Every child that cries at your coming, every woman cries, “Dear God! What is this,” echoes in your perfect ears. What is this with pain? It means I’ll leave you anxious, monstrous rolling misery forever.
This is from Westley’s speech “Through the pain” in which the Prince intends a duel, but according to his rules it is not a classic “to the death” duel. That is to prolong the cowardice of the Prince, however well he was doing. He showed Wes the ability to use his brain to win fights because he knew he couldn’t fight physically at this point, which he never showed. It is always intense and smooth. I think the whole concept of “Through the pain” is frightening, because it’s weird that death is worse.
So, that’s a 10. This movie is packed with so many great ideas, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it!
