Movie Review: ‘The Princess Bride’

The Princess Bride (1987)

Written by: William Goldman, based on his eponymous novel

Directed by: Rob Reiner

Starring: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Wallace Shawn, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Peter Cook

For millions of television viewers who came of age during the original run of All in the Family—before its post-1977 seasons began to lose their edge—Rob Reiner remains indelibly linked to his breakout role as Mike Stivic, the ultra-liberal, atheistic, and perpetually argumentative son-in-law of Archie Bunker. Known affectionately (and sometimes derisively) as “Meathead,” Reiner’s portrayal helped define a generation’s cultural clash in Norman Lear’s groundbreaking sitcom.

Yet Reiner’s legacy extends far beyond that iconic role. The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner—whose credits include The Dick Van Dyke Show, Your Show of Shows, and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid—Rob Reiner transitioned seamlessly from actor to filmmaker, carving out a career that mirrored his father’s in ambition and scope. After departing All in the Family in 1978, Reiner quickly established himself as a gifted director with a knack for emotionally resonant storytelling and genre-savvy wit.

Among his most beloved works is The Princess Bride (1987), a whimsical, genre-blending fairy tale adapted by two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman from his own novel. The story centers on Buttercup (Robin Wright), a beautiful young woman whose true love, Westley (Cary Elwes), leaves to seek his fortune, promising to return. When Westley’s ship is reported to have been attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Buttercup decides not to pursue another relationship. She later agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), a royal known for his ambition.

Humperdinck’s scheme is as ruthless as it is theatrical: marry a beloved commoner, stage her kidnapping and murder, and blame the neighboring kingdom of Guilder to ignite a war. He enlists the help of Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), a sadistic nobleman, and a trio of mercenaries—Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), a pompous mastermind; Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), a swordsman driven by revenge; and Fezzik (André the Giant), a gentle giant with a poetic soul. Their plan falters when a mysterious man in black intervenes, setting off a chain of swashbuckling rescues, heartfelt revelations, and unforgettable one-liners.

Goldman’s framing device—a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading the story to his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage)—adds a layer of meta-nostalgia that bridges generations. Reiner’s direction balances satire and sincerity, gently lampooning the tropes of classic adventure films while honoring their emotional core. The result is a film that, despite a modest theatrical run in 1987, found enduring life on home video and cable, much like The Wizard of Oz, which only became a cultural touchstone after years of annual TV broadcasts.

The 2001 MGM Special Edition DVD gave The Princess Bride the deluxe treatment it deserved, featuring widescreen presentation, commentary tracks by Reiner and Goldman, English and Spanish audio options, a behind-the-scenes documentary titled As You Wish, theatrical trailers, and two original featurettes.

To borrow Vizzini’s favorite word: trying to find a funnier, more heartfelt family film is absolutely inconceivable.