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Ever since the dawn of cinema, there have been movie productions that were nightmares. And sometimes the hard work pays off and a classic is born. Other times, the problems can be seen in the movie. But sometimes some of the worst movies are filmed without a hitch. Look at Adam Sandler’s comedies with his Saturday Night Live buddies. They’re terrible. But they look like they were fun to make. Eric Idle said the production of the pirate comedy Yellowbeard was a fun time even though the final movie was poorly received.
The Princess Bride is another comedy about pirates and swashbucklers that wasn’t a big major box-office draw. However, it has become a favorite of many people since it was released in the Fall of 1987 thanks to the home video market as well as cable TV. It’s become one of those movies in which people can quote almost verbatim. And even those who aren’t big fans will say the popular catchphrases like, “Having fun storming the castle,” “Inconceivable!” or “My name is Inigo Montaya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
Thankfully, the production of the movie was just as warm and joyful as the movie has been. Cary Elwes who played the romantic hero lead Westley in the movie recounts those days in the book As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride that he co-wrote with Joe Layden. It’s basically a long love letter to the fans as Elwes recalls the movie’s filming from being cast to its legacy leading up to the book’s publication in 2014. Also included in the book are sidebars from all the cast members who are still alive as well as director Rob Reiner and producer Andrew Scheinman.
Elwes and his co-star, Mandy Patinkin, had to rehearse almost every day of their film schedule to do their sword duel which had to have additional filming to make it longer. Elwes recounts he was only 24 but had been making movies for years. He speaks at length about the good times he had on the set with Andre the Giant, who was universally loved by everyone for his good nature.
And yes, Elwes talks in detail in regards to the story about Andre’s infamously long fart because the French wrestler had a huge appetite along with his big size. Elwes said this was during the scene after Westley is given the Miracle Pill and has come back to life. However, no one on set could keep a straight face and it took a lot of seriousness and Elwes to think differently to get through filming the scene. Andre whose last name was Roussimoff famously called everyone “Boss” as a friendly gesture. Reading the stories of Elwes and Andre hanging out in bars or just having fun times around the hotel shows how greatly missed the gentle giant is after more than 31 years.
As most of the filming took place in England, either on location at the Shepperton Studios, the cast and crew bonded and formed a family unit. Even though Chris Sarandon and Christopher Guest played the evil villainous Prince Humperdinck and Count Rugen respectively, off-screen they were very friendly. Guest, who is a heir of British nobility himself, was afraid to hurt Elwes during the scene where Rugen has to knock Westley out by hitting on the head with the butt of his broadsword. After several takes, Reiner told Guest to make it look more believable and Guest accidentally hit Elwes hard on the head for real. He says he wasn’t acting passing out when it’s shown on screen. The blow really knocked him out. This is why they filmed the scene where Westley knocks Inigo with a different angle, so not to harm Patinkin.
It’s a rarity to read about a movie production where people didn’t have big egos and everyone got along. Wallace Shawn was concerned about his role as the villainous Vizzini which was originally considered for Danny DeVito. He says he performed some scenes like how he thought DeVito would perform them. And during the “Battle of Wits” scene between Vizzini and Westley, Shawn says he was nervous so much his sweating is visible. But yet now, can you imagine anyone but Shawn in the role? It’s almost inconceivable. (Not that I wish the man any harm, but I can guarantee you, the word “Inconceivable” will be used ad nauseam when he does pass away.)
Like I said, the book is written in appreciation of the cast and crew as well as the fanbase over the years. Part of the reason for the movie’s failure at the box office, many speculate, was on the poor marketing by 20th Century Fox that gave the impression the movie was for just kids. The first official movie poster had a silhouette of the grandfather and grandson played by Peter Falk and Fred Savage in front of a painting of cloud-covered mountains. Subsequent movie posters show Elwes and Robin Wright as Princess Buttercup. However, I don’t think this would’ve helped the movie at the box office.
The Princess Bridge is one of those movies that greatly mixes genres and subgenres together that it’s hard to officially explain it with just a movie poster. It has action-adventure, comedy, romance and even a touch of fantasy with the Rodents of Unsual Size, which were played by little people/dwarves. (There’s a great part involving the actor playing the ROUS that has to be read to believe.) I do agree with Elwes that Wright’s role doesn’t offer her much range and she’s the only character in the movie who has to play it straight the whole time. I’ve often said she’s the weakest link in the movie even though she can be leaved as a fairytale princess bride.
So much love for the move has grown over the years that when rumors came out in 2019 a remake was considered, there was so much negative reaction. Jamie Lee Curtis, wife of Guest, was one of those who spoke out against it. Even Elwes commented paraphrasing one of his lines, “There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one.”
Yes, it is a perfect movie, even if it didn’t make a lot of money. It’s one of those movies that all the cylinders fired correctly and it came out at the right time. A lot of movies make a lot of money and then they’re easily forgotten about in the later years. The Princess Bride came out in 1987. Just like a fairytale story, it’s timeless.
What do you think? Please comment.