To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of The Princess Bride, the film is being released on a new special edition Blu-Ray from Monday 25th March 2013. Here are five reasons why you should watch or revisit the 1987 fantasy classic…
1. The Princess Bride Bucked the Critical Trend
Unlike most fairy tale films released in the 1980s, The Princess Bride actually received mostly positive reviews. Critics such as Vanessa Miles (Films and Filming, 402, March 1988) praised the fact that the film made fun of the clichés present in other films of the genre released in the same period.
2. The Princess Bride is Endlessly Quotable
As well as the infamous “as you wish”, The Princess Bride‘s script is overflowing with memorable lines and phrases. Among the most famous ones are “inconceivable” and “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die”, although there are plenty more.
3. The Princess Bride Subverts and Reinforces Fairy Tale Tropes
The Princess Bride play on the conventions of fairy tale films. However, it also reinforces them; with Rob Reiner’s film fitting both fantasy and comedy modes. The latter is particularly evident through the character of Buttercup; a damsel in distress typical of this brand of fantasy.
4. The Princess Bride is Teeming with 80s Stars
The Princess Bride stars Fred Savage, one of the child stars of the 1980s. The film also features a host of other actors irrevocably associated with the most esteemed of decades; Chris Sarandon, Billy Crystal, Robin Wright. And, of course, André the Giant.
5. Columbo is in The Princess Bride
There really isn’t a greater reason than this.
The Princess Bride 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray features new featurettes, audio commentaries, as well as the original comprehensive documentary ‘As You Wish: The Story of The Princess Bride’. It is available from 25th March 2013.
I Heart The Talkies 