The box office is truly an enigma that constantly looms over the heads of film production crews as they are creating movies. Truthfully, reducing the years of work that production crews put into films to a dollar sign is disrespectful in several ways. A film is more than just its box office draw. Several films have gone on to become icons in pop culture despite a middling box office reception. Today’s film of note is no exception. This is the cult classic The Princess Bride…

                Originally released in theaters in September 1987, The Princess Bride was directed by Rob Reiner, with the score by Mark Knopfler and the writing by William Goldman. The film itself is an adaptation of the 1973 novel of the same name, also written by Goldman. That novel was an abridged retelling of the original story in universe by Simon Morgenstern. That essentially makes the film an adaptation turducken if you will. The film starred Cary Elwes as Westley, Robin Wright as Buttercup “The Princess Bride,” Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya and Andre Rene Roussimoff (also known as Andre the Giant) as Fezzik. It also features performances by Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, and Wallace Shawn.

The plot is as follows: When the love of Westley’s life, Buttercup, is abducted and arranged to be married off to Prince Humperdinck of Florin, the young farm-boy-turned-sailor must brandish his wits, steel, and allies in order to save her.

                Much like the novel it was based on, The Princess Bride is presented with the framing story of a grandfather bringing the Princess Bride novel to his sick grandson as he relates the story of Westley and company. This framing device allows for some humorous breaks in the story. However, the majority of the film’s runtime is focused on the adventure that Westley and Buttercup embark on.

                More so than any film I have covered to date, The Princess Bride is what I would call a well-rounded masterpiece It appeals to a variety of audiences for its sense of adventure, sweeping romance, comedic elements, and great production values. It has even been reputed as one of Rob Reiner’s best films.

                The sets and score of The Princess Bride are a delight for the eyes and ears. The majority of the movie was filmed on location in England and Ireland, which leads to some very stunning backdrops. Knopfler’s score is one of a kind. Many film scores are simply adequate background noise to the events on screen, but the score in The Princess Bride actually enhances every scene it is attached to. The beats of the motif even change to match the intensity of the action on screen.

                The choreography is also a sight to behold. Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin learned the art of fencing for this role, which gives the sword fights a level of authenticity you would be hard-pressed to find in other films. Since the actors performed a good amount of the stunt work themselves, there was little need for numerous takes to swap in doubles. As a result, the sword fight is a work of art and a highlight of the film. That being said, the action in the film is balanced out very well.

                When it came to the box office, The Princess Bride grossed $30 million against a $16 million production budget, making a modest profit. Despite its mediocre box office performance, however, the film was a critical success and found an exceptionally healthy extended life on home video. It left an impact on people all over the world, and it remains as beloved today as the day it released, known for its quotability and its storyline. In 2016, the film was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, an honor which is reserved for films that are culturally, historically, or visually significant.

                The Princess Bride is a filmquite unlike any other. It holds my highest regard as a piece of cinema. The Princess Bride is available for purchase on a number of platforms, including Amazon. I have partnered with Amazon to bring you a specialized purchase link for The Princess Bride. I do receive a small commission on your purchase, but at no cost to you. The film is also available on Disney Plus. Whether it be on DVD or through streaming services, I wholeheartedly recommend checking it out!