The Princess Bride (Special Edition)
by Rob Reiner
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DVD details
Actor: Cary Elwes, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright PennDirector: Rob Reiner
Brand: Princess
Cinematographer: Adrian Biddle
Producer: Rob Reiner
Producer: Andrew Scheinman
Producer: Jeffrey Stott
Producer: Norman Lear
Producer: Steve Nicolaides
Writer: William Goldman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 98 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-09-04
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Reviews of The Princess Bride (Special Edition)
DVD Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
For me this one is a classic. I remember watching this one when I was just a kid. If you haven't seen this yet then your missing out.DVD Review: After many delays, the classic finally hits Blu-Ray
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for the Blu-Ray edition.
The Princess Bride is directed by Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me) and stars Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andr? the Giant, Fred Savage, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, Peter Cook, Carol Kane, and Billy Crystal. The musical score is composed by Mark Knopfler of the pop-rock group Dire Straits. The film is based on the 1973 book of the same name written by William Goldman.
When a young boy is ill and his mother has to leave for the day, she has the boy's grandfather come over to look a fter him. He brings along a book called The Princess Bride, to read to the ailing boy. The story comes to life, and is filled with exotic locations, inhuman creatures, knights and soldiers, medieval kingdoms, giants, pirates, corrupt princes, criminals, and a variety of other fantasy elements. The story largely focuses on Buttercup, a young princess who is forced into a forthcoming loveless marriage to the local prince, following the death of the farm boy she loved. But is he really dead and gone?
Rob Reiner is, and always has been, one of the most diverse directors in the entertainment industry. There's nothing the guy hasn't done - comedy, drama, satire, suspense, romance, coming-of-age tales, the list goes on. His films are always great, and yet, no two are alike. He rarely fails to please, and The Princess Bride just might be his best film of them all. It rivals even the classic mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap for the covered title of "Best Rob Reiner Film."
Equally deserving of credit is William Goldman, who wrote the novel in 1973 that inspired the film. Numerous attempts to make the book into a movie fell through in the past, but after seeing how well Reiner handled the material, it's not hard to see that those delays are for the best. Goldman himself was no stranger to Hollywood, having written a number of screenplays. His credentials include the screenplays for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men - both of which won him Academy Awards.
And then there's the cast and the characters they play. Robin Wright appears here as the princess Buttercup, in one of her first major film roles. Other memorable performances include Cary Elwes as the farm boy she loves, Mandy Patinkin as a Spanish swordsman out for revenge, famed wrestler Andre the Giant as (you guessed it!) a giant, Chris Sarandon as a corrupt prince, Christopher Guest as a count and the prince's right-hand man, Wallace Shawn as the loudmouthed, self-proclaimed genius leader of a group of thieves, and Billy Crystal as a hideous miracle worker. I can't go to into what makes these characters and their actors' performances great because a) I don't want to spoil the movie and b) their performances have to be seen to be appreciated.
Rob Reiner directed a classic for the ages with this film. While he claims the film he will be remembered for is Stand by Me, I honestly think in the long run, THIS is the film people will remember him for. It's a fantasy tale with a ton of brilliant elements combined ingeniously, and perhaps most importantly, it's easily accessible for young and old alike. Easily one of the greatest films ever made.
So, you want The Princess Bride to look and sound better than it ever has before?
As you wish.
This is a back-catalogue transfer done right. Throughout the course of the movie, the picture exhibits a substantial upgrade from earlier DVD releases of the film. Fine object detail has increased greatly (I noticed some very subtle writing and details on things in the grandson's room I could never have made out in standard def), and the image is clear and well-defined throughout. Grain is consistent throughout, and only tends to spike in a few scenes - and even when it does it's hardly an issue. Even deep, dark scenes maintain a strong level of detail and depth. Audio gets an upgrade to lossless, and this benefits a number of portions of movie - everything from sound effects and speech to Mark Knopfler's musical score.
Special Features: When the 20th anniversary DVD was released two years back, it was absolutely, positively inconceivable that the bonus features from earlier DVD releases were omitted.
Fortunately, it looks like the crew that put this DVD together got Miracle Max to work a few miracles on this disc. And they aren't rushed, rotten miracles either. He took his time.
I don't have access to an older version of the film (so don't quote me on this), but as far as I can tell, this set contains all of the bonus features from earlier pressings on the movie on DVD, as well as the most recent anniversary edition. This includes a Rob Reiner commentary track, a William Goldman (author of the book) commentary, and a ton of behind-the-scenes footage and documentaries. There's even a standard DVD included (which houses some of the features) in case you find yourself without access to a Blu-Ray player. Whether you're a giant or a six-fingered count, you won't be disappointed by the wealth of bonus material presented here.
The Princess Bride blends so many storytelling elements seamlessly, serving not only as a story that satirizes these clich?d elements, but also embracing them as well. It's a brilliant fantasy story that stands the test of time, thanks to its colorful characters, great performances, and exotic locales. There's something for everyone here, and a gorgeous Blu-Ray transfer only adds to the experience. Needless to say, this disc gets my highest recommendation.
DVD Review: My Alltime Favorite !
Summary: 5 Stars
The Princess Bride is my all time favorite movie! I own the dvd, but even when it is on tv, I just have to watch it. I am that person who quotes this movie and hopes people know what I am talking about. And usually they do! Highly recommend it!DVD Review: Very Entertaining!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a classic family movie! Made in the 80s, this movie was meant for the whole family and by no means is it a chick-flick as the title might suggest. Full of exciting battles, hilarious comedy, and victory over evil, this movie will entertain even the hardest of movie viewers to please. Highly recommended as a family must-have!DVD Review: HAS DEEP STORYLINE BUT TRIVIALIATY NOT MY STYLE.
Summary: 2 Stars
Don't know what the hype is about this movie. Didn't find it very funny, found it stupid and nonsensical. Gave it two stars for some decent scenery, other than that really gag me with a spoon type storyline--- just glad it was over with and I made it through. Maybe its just not my style, I like things that have meaning not a farce based on real life. This movie gets a thumb down, really putrid.
Description of The Princess Bride (Special Edition)
A wondrous tale of wit and whimsey the princess bride will transport you to a magical land where fantasy reigns supreme and kings and queens of all ages will want to return again and again. Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 04/10/2007 Starring: Robin Wright Mandy Patinkin Run time: 98 minutes Rating: PgScreenwriter William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride earned its own loyal audience on the strength of its narrative voice and its gently satirical, hyperbolic spin on swashbuckled adventure that seemed almost purely literary. For all its derring-do and vivid over-the-top characters, the book's joy was dictated as much by the deadpan tone of its narrator and a winking acknowledgement of the clich?s being sent up. Miraculously, director Rob Reiner and Goldman himself managed to visualize this romantic fable while keeping that external voice largely intact: using a storytelling framework, avuncular Grandpa (Peter Falk) gradually seduces his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage) into the absurd, irresistible melodrama of the title story.
And what a story: a lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind, and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate (could it be Westley?) follows in pursuit. As they sail toward the Cliffs of Insanity...
The wild and woolly arcs of the story, the sudden twists of fate, and, above all, the cartoon-scaled characters all work because of Goldman's very funny script, Reiner's confident direction, and a terrific cast. Elwes and Wright, both sporting their best English accents, juggle romantic fervor and physical slapstick effortlessly, while supporting roles boast Mandy Patinkin (the swordsman Inigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (the incredulous schemer Vizzini), and Christopher Guest (evil Count Rugen) with brief but funny cameos from Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and Peter Cook. --Sam Sutherland
Screenwriter William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride earned its own loyal audience on the strength of its narrative voice and its gently satirical, hyperbolic spin on swashbuckled adventure that seemed almost purely literary. For all its derring-do and vivid over-the-top characters, the book's joy was dictated as much by the deadpan tone of its narrator and a winking acknowledgement of the clich?s being sent up. Miraculously, director Rob Reiner and Goldman himself managed to visualize this romantic fable while keeping that external voice largely intact: using a storytelling framework, avuncular Grandpa (Peter Falk) gradually seduces his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage) into the absurd, irresistible melodrama of the title story. And what a story: a lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind, and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate (could it be Westley?) follows in pursuit. As they sail toward the Cliffs of Insanity... The wild and woolly arcs of the story, the sudden twists of fate, and, above all, the cartoon-scaled characters all work because of Goldman's very funny script, Reiner's confident direction, and a terrific cast. Elwes and Wright, both sporting their best English accents, juggle romantic fervor and physical slapstick effortlessly, while supporting roles boast Mandy Patinkin (the swordsman Inigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (the incredulous schemer Vizzini), and Christopher Guest (evil Count Rugen) with brief but funny cameos from Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and Peter Cook. --Sam Sutherland
Beyond The Princess Bride on DVD
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Stills from The Princess Bride (Click for larger image)
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