What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this funny fairy tale has quite a
bit of action-style violence, including a torture machine,
sword fights (one to the death), a death by poisoning,
quicksand, fire pits, and ROUSes (rodents of unusual size) and
giant screaming eels that attack main characters. But the
movie's skewed humor and its storybook feel lessen some of the
impact of the violent scenes. In one scene Inigo, in a drunken
state, is revived by Fezzik in a barrel of water.
Families can talk about what makes up a really good adventure/love story. Is it sword fights? Scary creatures? Handsome leading men and ladies? How does this movie poke fun at some of these elements? In the end, why didn't the sick boy mind the kissing scene as much as he thought he would?
Common Sense Media Review
THE PRINCESS BRIDE is stuffed full of every element of a
classic romantic adventure -- princes, villains and evil
geniuses, giants and giant creatures, sword fights, revenge,
kidnapping, and a rescue on white horses -- and it coats them
all in delicious humor.
The most beautiful woman in the world, Buttercup ( Robin Wright Penn), gets engaged to the cruel Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) after she hears that her true love, Westley, was killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts. But before the wedding, she's kidnapped by a huge man with enormous strength (Andre the Giant), a master swordsman ( Mandy Patinkin), and an evil genius (Wallace Shawn).
A mysterious masked man ( Cary Elwes) must defeat them all, and then escape with Buttercup through the treacherous Fire Swamp. When they're both captured by the prince and his six-fingered henchman, Count Rugen ( Christopher Guest), they discover that not even death can get in the way of true love.
This witty modern fairy tale by William Goldman (screenwriter of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men ) is resoundingly satisfying. Goldman's book is even better -- and lots of fun to read aloud (though the book's asides are more for adult readers). The motley cast of storybook characters is consistently hilarious, right down to the bit parts featuring the likes of Carol Kane and Billy Crystal as a bickering old witch and wizard, and Peter Cook as the Impressive Clergyman.
The Princess Bride rivals Monty Python and the Holy Grail for the amount of compulsive quoting it generates among young and old. For example: "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Be prepared to hear that over and over (one reason the movie's better for tweens and up...) once the family gets hold of this fun, infectious film.
Families who enjoy this movie may also like Willow and Ever After .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
