The Princess Bride

When "The Princess Bride" was first released in theaters in 1987, it only performed okay in the box office; it didn't truly acquire it's devoted fans and deserved cult hit until after the video release.

At that point word of mouth spread quickly and it became a huge college hit and was subsequently deemed a "cult classic."

Currently rated as the 8th most popular 80's movie on the IMDb and, as such, in the vaunted company as "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Raiders of The Lost Ark" you'd have expected that availability on video would be no problem. In fact, for a few years, in the USA, the video was out-of-print and could not be found anywhere. Every available copy had pretty much been sold. Luckily, for those who had searched fruitlessly for years, it was re-released in 1997 for its 10th Anniversary and is now available in most places (though the case has changed and many fans have objected to the plastic covering, as well as the fairly dopey description of the movie on the back in which they even misspell Westley's name). Availability in Europe is no problem.

In any case, the movie is incredible. From the phenomenal cast (including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Mandy Patinkin and others, as well as guest appearances by Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, Carol Kane, Mel Smith, and Fred Savage); to the beautiful photography and scenery (no wonder most of the movie was filmed in aesthetically pleasing spots in both England and Ireland); to the many memorable lines, such as the famous: "My name is Inigo Montoya; you killed my father; prepare to die;" and to the fun twists and turns of the plot.

The movie opens with a Grandfather (Peter Falk) reading his Grandson (Fred Savage) one of his favorite books, "The Princess Bride." The story takes us to the land of Florin where a young woman, Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) is tormenting her "Farm Boy," Westley (Cary Elwes).

"Death cannot stop true love; all it can do is delay it for a while."

However, she soon realizes she actually loves him and of course, he loves her (as he displays by saying "as you wish" to everything she requests). Because he's poor, Westley must leave her to find "his fortune across the sea," but Buttercup soon finds out that his ship has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts "who never left captives alive."

Upon learning of this news, Buttercup promises herself that she will never love again. This is, of course, the background for the slew of fantastic events that occur to Buttercup afterwards; she becomes betrothed to the Prince of the land (Chris Sarandon), is then kidnapped by three unusual men (Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin, and Andre the Giant), is kidnapped again from the kidnappers and, it gets better and better from there (I can't give away the whole story now, can I?)

And one should not forget the infamous six-fingered man, Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), R.O.U.S's, Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) and Valerie (Carol Kane), lightning sand, "Mawaige" and all the other memorable creatures, characters, and quotes! If you haven't seen this movie or it¹s been ages since the last time you watched it, rent it immediately; you won't be disappointed!.