Its a movie everyone can quote, but almost no one has seen. Yes, Im talking about The Princess Bride.While it didn't do well at all at the box office, once it came out on VHS it became a hit. The entire script is both quote worthy, and cringe worthy. It's about as corny a movie as it gets. The first time you watch it you cant believe people actually like it; then, you watch it again and can quote the entire movie.So what is it about this movie that keeps people coming back? The plot is standard: boy and girl fall in love. boy goes away and is presumed dead, girl has to marry another boy, 1st boy isn't dead and comes back to save her. Pretty straight forward. What is so significant about this movie though, is the script. While is gets awfully cringe worthy in some places ("But death cannot stop true love... All it can do is delay it for a little while") it is also insanely clever and frankly hilarious in others ("Surrender!"..."You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept.") The script is very clever and hilariously quote worthy, which keeps people coming back for more.
Another reason the film has remained in people's minds, are the characters. While Westley is the main hero of the story, he's not the only one. Inigo and Fezzik are two incredibly caring and passionate characters who lead the subplot in all its glory. Inigo is trying desperately to avenge his father's death, and Fezzik does nothing but try and help him accomplish that. The sub plot is the one everyone whose heard of the film either knows about or can quote, and they may not even realize it. Inigo's mantra is "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Everyone knows the line but not everyone truly knows the meaning behind it and why it's important. [SPOILERS AHEAD] Towards the end of the film when he is fighting his father's murderer he says that line over and over and over and over and over again to the point where it gets annoying; however, it was explained to me why he was doing that and now it makes complete sense. Inigo is injured and has already lost to this man once in his life. He does not want to let his father's death go unavenged, otherwise he will have wasted his entire life training and preparing for nothing. That is why he keeps saying that line over and over again. Not just to say it, but to inspire himself to keep going and not give up. He says it to remind himself that his father is gone because of this man, and the more he says it out loud, the more angry he gets which only refuels his energy though he is seriously injured. The audience loves his courage to keep going, and also people love the story of an underdog not only storming the castle, but tearing it down.
Buttercup, though the only woman in the film (and frankly quite annoying at times), is quite a strong character when you think about her. She's a woman of action (except in the fire swamp but I wont go there) and isnt afraid to step in and say no. She's strong willed and if she says shes going to do something, shes going to do it and that's the end of it. The film toes the line between fantasy and reality so well that all generations can relate to its story and its humor. The interesting characters, the hilariously witty script ("You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."..."You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die."), and the plots of the century there's really no question as to why The Princess Bride has become the success it is.
photo credit: https://www.guthriegreen.com/event/638
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