Why The Princess Bride is the Greatest Movie of all Time.

I like to listen to music or put on a movie before I go to bed. Even if I’m not watching it, just listening, I still like to have something on.

I feel like it encourages me to dream.

AAAAAnnnnyyyyways……I’ve been reading a book that I got for Christmas last year by Cary Elwes (yes, the actor) called As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, The Princess Bride is a classic film, and my very favorite. So as I’m reading, I’m remembering my favorite scenes and learning about the actors as they played these unique characters. I can’t help but want to watch the movie for the gazillionth time. I love the story, the people, the writing, and the fact that I can feel every emotion while watching. This movie is an experience, and it will take you on a journey like no other. I’m not kidding.

So here are ten simple reasons why this is a must-see:

Action.
Adventure.
Mystery.
Humor.
Drama.
Terror.
Cliffs of Insanity.
Battling Rodents of Unusual Size.
Facing torture in the Pit of Despair.
True Love.

If I haven’t hooked you yet, then I’m not entirely sure that you are even a human being.

What more could you want in a movie? It could literally be classified as any genre.

I’ll give you a quick summary in the hopes of changing your opinion:

This is a beloved fairytale.

BELOVED. That means that people LOVE it. So should you.

Anyways, it begins with a grandfather reading his favorite book “The Princess Bride” (this is an actual book BTW, give it a read if you’re into that sort of thing) to his hard-to-impress grandson.

Yes, that is Fred Savage. As in, The Wonder Years, Fred Savage.

This book, he promises, has everything; “Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Revenge. Giants. Monsters. Chases. Escapes. True love. Miracles.”

All of this comes to life as the grandfather reads.

The book he’s reading (and the movie you’re watching) details adventures of Buttercup, the most beautiful woman in the world, and Westley, the man she loves.

Buttercup

Westley

Buttercup lives on a farm in the Kingdom of Florin where the farm hand (that’s Westley) works and does chores for her.

Always, Westley’s only answer to Buttercup is:

*SWOON

Buttercup soon realizes that he means that he loves her, and she in return.

Westley goes off on a journey to secure a fortune for them when Westley’s ship is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who is notorious for leaving no victim alive.

Sad day for Buttercup.

Moving right along, five years later, believing Wesley is totally dead, Buttercup reluctantly gets engaged to Prince Humperdinck, heir to the throne of Florin.

FYI, Prince Humperdinck looks like Lord Farquaad from Shrek.

He’s also one of the world’s worst human beings and ultimately tries to kill everyone in the movie.

Exhibit A.

However, soon after the engagement is announced, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws. They think that in capturing the Princess, they can start a war among countries. They call themselves The Brute Squad and are made up of a bunch of goons:

a Sicilian criminal genius named Vizzini.

Spanish fencing master Inigo Montoya (who is seeking revenge on a man with six fingers on his right hand who killed his father).

a massive wrestler named Fezzik (PLAYED BY THE ONE AND ONLY ANDRE THE GIANT) who likes to rhyme.

They are chased after by Prince Humperdinck and a single masked man in black.

The man in black outpaces the royal rescue party and catches them.

Eventually Buttercup realizes that the masked man is none other than her beloved Westley!

Are you emotionally invested yet?

Do you NEED to know what happens next?

I don’t want to totally ruin the movie, so long story short; Buttercup, Westley and the squad (who end up being good guys) go on a crazy journey to save Buttercup from the pending King.

Then Buttercup and Westley share one of the most romantic kisses in cinematic history..