The Princess Bride (1987) is more than just a movie - it's a cultural phenomenon packed with iconic quotes, unforgettable characters, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, here's a quick summary of what makes this film so enduring:
- Iconic Quotes: Lines like "As you wish" and "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." have become pop culture staples.
- Behind-the-Scenes Secrets: From André the Giant's physical challenges to Billy Crystal's unscripted scenes that left the cast in stitches, the making of this movie is full of surprises.
- Memorable Locations: Filmed across England and Ireland, with iconic spots like the Cliffs of Moher and Haddon Hall bringing the magical world of Florin to life.
- Production Challenges: Injuries, improvisation, and clever tricks (like ramps for André) added authenticity to the film.
- Lasting Legacy: Initially a modest box office success, the movie gained cult status through VHS, re-releases, and its addition to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2016.
This mix of romance, humor, and adventure has kept The Princess Bride relevant for nearly four decades. Dive in to learn more about the trivia and stories that make this movie a timeless classic.
Amazing Behind the Scenes Facts about The Princess Bride
Famous Movie Lines
The Princess Bride is beloved not just for its captivating story but also for its standout dialogue, much of which has become part of everyday conversation. One of the most memorable lines is delivered by Inigo Montoya:
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
This straightforward introduction perfectly captures his quest for revenge. Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo, has shared how the role resonated deeply with him due to his own personal experiences with loss.
The phrase "As you wish" might seem simple, but it’s Westley's subtle way of expressing his love. The film's humor comes through clearly in moments like Vizzini's repeated use of "Inconceivable!" and Inigo’s classic retort:
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
And who could forget this quirky gem?
"True love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT, mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, when the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomato is ripe."
The cultural influence of The Princess Bride was highlighted in 2014 when The New Yorker called it "The Film That Won the Internet". Its famous lines have been printed on merchandise and referenced in countless other works. Westley's heartfelt proclamation -
"Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while."
- helped earn the movie a spot on the American Film Institute's "100 Greatest Love Stories of All Time".
These quotes showcase the film's perfect mix of humor and emotion, paving the way for even more fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
Production Secrets
The making of The Princess Bride came with its share of hurdles and inventive solutions, adding to the film's lasting appeal for trivia enthusiasts. With a modest $16 million budget, the cast and crew had to get creative to bring this fantastical tale to life.
One standout challenge involved André the Giant, who played Fezzik. At 7'4" and roughly 500 pounds, André faced significant back and knee pain during filming. To accommodate him, the crew used clever tricks. For instance, in the scene where Westley appears to climb onto Fezzik's back, ramps and smart camera angles created the illusion - while Cary Elwes was actually walking beside André.
"His acting instincts... they were always pure. He never made false moves; he did things that were totally natural." – Rob Reiner
The film's locations were a mix of real-world sites and studio magic. Prince Humperdinck's castle scenes were shot at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, while Ireland's Cliffs of Moher became the "Cliffs of Insanity". The climactic duel between Inigo Montoya and Count Rugen took place at Penshurst Place in Kent.
Billy Crystal's unforgettable turn as Miracle Max brought its own set of challenges. His improvisation during the scenes took nearly 30 hours of filming to achieve just five minutes of usable footage. His comedic brilliance caused chaos on set:
- Mandy Patinkin hurt himself trying not to laugh
- Director Rob Reiner had to leave the room to avoid disrupting takes
- Cary Elwes was replaced with a foam dummy because he couldn’t stop laughing
"Billy improvised 13th Century period jokes, never saying the same thing or the same line twice." – Cary Elwes
André the Giant, whose first language was French, sometimes struggled with his English lines. To help, Rob Reiner recorded Fezzik's dialogue on cassette tapes so André could learn them by listening.
Controlled scenes, like those in the Fire Swamp and Miracle Max's hut, were filmed at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. These studio sets blended seamlessly with the natural locations, creating a perfect mix of fantasy and realism. These behind-the-scenes details deepen the fascination for fans who love to test their knowledge.
Story Elements
The Princess Bride draws viewers in with its layered storytelling, using a clever framing device: a grandfather reading the story to his grandson. This approach not only adds emotional warmth but also creates a connection that spans generations. It sets the tone for the film's seamless mix of fantasy and realism.
The richness of the film’s world is enhanced by thoughtful details like the names Florin and Guilder, inspired by European currencies. These small touches lend a sense of historical grounding to the whimsical setting. By blending the charm of traditional fairy tales with sharp, modern humor, the story appeals to both younger and older audiences, offering something for everyone.
"Ultimately, The Princess Bride stands as a unique deconstruction of fairy tales...Inspired by his daughters' request for a story about 'princesses' and 'brides,' he set out to craft a narrative that retained the essence of classic fairy tales - but approached it from a unique angle by challenging conventional tropes found in fairy tales."
Filmed in carefully chosen real-world locations, the movie’s settings enhance its fairy tale atmosphere. With universal themes like love, courage, and friendship, The Princess Bride continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, earning its place as a beloved classic decades after its release.
1. The Origins of Inigo Montoya's Revenge Speech
The famous line, "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die", holds a deeply personal meaning for actor Mandy Patinkin. He connected the role to his own grief, having lost his father to pancreatic cancer at the age of 18.
This emotional tie drove Patinkin's intense preparation for the role. To ensure the swordplay felt real, he trained rigorously for two months, spending 8–10 hours a day with Henry Harutunian, Yale's head fencing coach. Interestingly, although Patinkin is right-handed, he began his training using only his left hand.
The scene’s emotional weight extends beyond the film itself. In 2021, a fan shared how the movie helped them cope with their own loss. In response, Patinkin revealed his personal ritual during filming - walking through the castle gardens between takes and speaking to his late father. He believed that defeating the six-fingered man in the story symbolized reconnecting with his father. This heartfelt approach made the performance resonate both on and off the screen.
Director Rob Reiner encouraged Patinkin to harness these raw emotions, resulting in one of the most unforgettable revenge scenes in cinema history.
2. André the Giant's Time on Set
André René Roussimoff, better known as André the Giant, stood over 7 feet tall and weighed 500 pounds. His size made him an unforgettable choice for the role of Fezzik in The Princess Bride, but it also brought unique challenges to the production. Director Rob Reiner admitted that André's audition was difficult to understand, which led to an unusual solution: Reiner recorded all of André's lines on tape, allowing him to practice and refine his delivery. This creative workaround helped André overcome language barriers and deliver an iconic performance.
André's physical limitations, especially after his 1986 back surgery, required some clever adjustments during filming. For his fight scene with Westley, ramps and camera angles were used to compensate for movement restrictions. A wire rig was also employed for the scene where Fezzik catches Princess Buttercup. Despite these accommodations, his performance remained impactful.
On set, André's kindness left a lasting impression. During chilly outdoor shoots, he used his massive hand to shield Robin Wright's head from the cold. Christopher Guest, who played Count Rugen, fondly recalled shaking André's enormous hand each morning, describing it as an experience where his own hand seemed to disappear.
Though new to acting, André's natural instincts shone through. Rob Reiner praised his ability to deliver authentic performances, likely honed during his years in the wrestling ring:
"He had never [acted] before. He was a natural actor from being in, you know, the wrestling ring. They were always pure. He never made false moves. He would do things that were totally natural. I mean you never had to tell him, you know, physical stuff... He always did the right thing."
After filming ended, André spent nearly five hours taking photos with every cast and crew member - and even their families - who wanted one. For André, the experience was deeply personal. As he once said, "Nobody looks at me". On this set, he was treated as an equal, and his warmth and humility left an enduring mark on everyone involved.
3. The Phrase "As You Wish" Explained
In The Princess Bride, the phrase "As you wish" carries a hidden meaning: "I love you." The grandfather explains this beautifully:
"That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying 'As you wish,' what he meant was, 'I love you.' And then even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back."
This simple phrase adds depth to the film's fairytale story.
Westley's repeated use of "As you wish" becomes his way of quietly declaring his love for Buttercup. Later, the words take on even greater importance - they not only express his feelings but also reveal his identity as the man in black.
Through this understated line, Westley shows his unwavering devotion, proving himself as Buttercup's one true love.
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4. Sword Fighting Accidents During Filming
To make Westley's capture scene feel authentic, Cary Elwes suggested Christopher Guest deliver a real blow. Unfortunately, this idea backfired. Chris swung the heavy sword harder than expected, hitting Elwes on the head. The impact was so severe that Elwes actually passed out - and that exact moment ended up in the film.
"I woke up in the emergency room, still in costume, to the frightening sound of stitches being sewn into my skull ... and of course Chris felt absolutely terrible about the whole thing. It was my dumb idea. But you know what? That particular take was the one that ended up in the film. So when you see Westley fall to the ground and pass out, that's not acting."
This wasn't the only unplanned injury on set. During rehearsals for the duel between Inigo Montoya and Count Rugen, Mandy Patinkin accidentally stabbed Christopher Guest in the thigh. After that, Guest ditched the planned choreography and relied on actual defensive moves instead. These incidents underscore the dangers involved in filming such intense, choreographed sword fights.
Interestingly, the same doctor treated Cary Elwes for both his head injury and an earlier broken toe.
5. Miracle Max's Unscripted Moments
Billy Crystal's portrayal of Miracle Max in The Princess Bride is a standout, thanks to his knack for improvisation. Following director Rob Reiner's instruction to "Forget the lines, just go for it", Crystal delivered nearly 30 hours of improvised material, resulting in five iconic minutes of screen time.
His off-the-cuff humor had the cast in stitches. Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo Montoya, even bruised a rib from trying to suppress his laughter. Cary Elwes, portraying Westley, had to be swapped out with a dummy in some shots because he couldn’t stop laughing.
"From the first shot in which cantankerous Max appears, poking his head through a wooden peephole in the door (very much like the doorman who greets Dorothy when she and her friends reach Oz), he began ad-libbing."
– Cary Elwes
Crystal's improvisation stretched over three intense days, producing one hilarious line after another that perfectly captured the film's humor. Even director Rob Reiner couldn’t keep it together. Mandy Patinkin shared:
"Rob was gone. Rob leaves the room, on every take, Rob would leave the room. 'Cause he was about to throw up, he was laughing so hard."
– Mandy Patinkin
Carol Kane, playing Miracle Max's wife Valerie, matched Crystal’s comedic energy with her own improvised lines. Some of their exchanges were so bold, they didn’t make it into the final cut.
6. Creating the Kingdom of Florin
To bring the mythical Kingdom of Florin to life, the production team used a mix of real-world locations in England and Ireland, blending medieval architecture with stunning natural landscapes. England's Peak District National Park and Derbyshire were central to many of the film's memorable settings. One standout location was Haddon Hall, which played a pivotal role in shaping the film's medieval atmosphere.
Haddon Hall, a historic 11th-century manor house in Bakewell, Derbyshire, became Prince Humperdinck's castle. It also served as the backdrop for the scene where the prince publicly declared his engagement to Buttercup.
The serene countryside of Buttercup's farm was brought to life at Bradley Rocks near Birchover, Derbyshire. For more intense moments, the production moved to Ireland. The dramatic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare were reimagined as the perilous Cliffs of Insanity.
Several fantastical scenes, including the Fire Swamp and Miracle Max's hovel, were constructed on soundstages at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England. These sets captured the magical essence of the story while maintaining the medieval feel.
7. From Novel to Movie Screen
William Goldman adapted his 1973 novel into a film by simplifying its intricate structure into a straightforward fairy tale. While the book is framed as Goldman's abridged version of a fictional S. Morgenstern's historical text, the movie reimagines it as a grandfather reading a story to his sick grandson. These adjustments made the story easier to follow and added to the film's lasting charm.
The movie leaned heavily on visuals rather than intricate storytelling. For example, the Pit of Despair replaced the book's detailed Zoo of Death, and shrieking eels stood in for sharks during Buttercup's ocean escape. These changes emphasized the fairy tale feel of the film.
"I've gotten more responses on The Princess Bride than on everything else I've done put together - all kinds of strange outpouring letters. Something in The Princess Bride affects people." - William Goldman
Buttercup was portrayed as more capable in the film, and many flashbacks were cut in favor of a clear, happy ending, unlike the book's more ambiguous conclusion. These changes made the film appealing to both fans of the novel and new audiences.
Even with these structural changes, the movie retained the book's iconic dialogue. By adapting his own work, Goldman managed to keep the sharp wit of the original while streamlining the story for the screen. This careful balance between staying true to the source and making it accessible on film helped turn The Princess Bride into a timeless classic.
8. Small Details Most Viewers Miss
The charm of The Princess Bride goes beyond its witty dialogue and standout performances. The movie is packed with subtle visual touches and hidden gems that reward those who pay close attention.
Take the final scene, for instance. Its soft color palette - light blue, pale yellow, and blush pink - creates an atmosphere filled with love and joy. The sweeping sunset shot ties the characters to their surroundings, while a close-up of Westley and Buttercup adds an extra layer of romance. These choices perfectly complement the film's fairy tale vibe.
There are also fun little details for observant fans. In Fred Savage's bedroom, you might spot a baseball cap that matches the one Rob Reiner wore in This Is Spinal Tap.
The Fire Swamp scene offers its own surprises. The Rats of Unusual Size (ROUS) weren’t puppets but actors in costumes. One of these actors was even bailed out of jail on arson charges just before filming his scenes. This unconventional approach gave the creatures a more lifelike, albeit quirky, presence.
Even the iconic sword fight between Westley and Inigo has a layer of historical depth. The choreography borrows actual moves from 17th-century sword fighting manuals, adding a touch of realism to the swashbuckling showdown.
Making Movie History
The Princess Bride began as a small independent film but eventually became a pop culture icon. It premiered in 1987 at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning around $30.8 million domestically on a $16 million budget. While its initial success was modest, it laid the groundwork for the film's lasting influence.
The production wasn't without its hurdles - on-set injuries even sent some cast members to the hospital. These difficulties, however, added to the film's genuine feel and the cast's heartfelt performances.
Despite these challenges, the movie received glowing reviews. It holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an A+ grade from CinemaScore. Awards followed, including the People's Choice Award at the 1987 Toronto International Film Festival and the 1988 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
While its theatrical run didn’t break records, The Princess Bride found a loyal fanbase through home video. Its unique mix of genres and endlessly quotable lines led to its recognition as IMDb's #1 Most Quotable Movie Ever. The screenplay also earned a spot on the Writers Guild of America’s Top Screenplays of All Time list, ranking 84th in both 2006 and 2013.
In 2016, the film's legacy was solidified when it was added to the United States National Film Registry. Reflecting on its journey, Cary Elwes remarked:
"Looking back I only wish the Internet had existed in 1987. I suspect that social media would have raised awareness of the film's unique quality and helped propel it to blockbuster status."
The movie's appeal keeps growing, with theatrical re-releases in 2009, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. Each re-release brings this beloved story to new audiences, proving that some classics only shine brighter with time.
Conclusion
Through behind-the-scenes stories and unforgettable lines, The Princess Bride continues to hold its place as a beloved classic. Its mix of romance, adventure, and humor, brought to life by a devoted cast and crew, keeps audiences captivated.
From heartfelt acting to moments of spontaneous creativity, every detail adds to the film's enduring charm. As William Goldman once said:
"I've gotten more responses on The Princess Bride than on everything else I've done put together - all kinds of strange outpouring letters. Something in The Princess Bride affects people."
With an initial budget of $16 million, the movie has reached far beyond its origins, connecting with audiences across generations by exploring universal themes. The dedication behind its creation continues to shine through every scene.
This enduring legacy invites fans to watch it again. Rediscover the subtle details and unscripted moments that make it so special. Together with its exceptional storytelling, these elements ensure The Princess Bride remains a cherished favorite for years to come.