The Princess Bride

A closer look at the story

At the bedside of his sick grandson, a grandfather begins to read a tale handed down through the generations, and as he reads, the story comes to life. The wicked Prince Humperdinck wants to marry the beautiful Princess Buttercup, but he has no chance of winning her heart. When Buttercup is kidnapped, the one who sets out to rescue her is Westley, her childhood love and now a wanted pirate. To find happiness, Westley and Buttercup must get past six-fingered swordsmen, scheming princes, cunning Sicilians and some remarkably oversized rodents, and not even death can stop these two lovers. Memorable characters such as Inigo Montoya join them along the way. Directed by Rob Reiner and adapted by William Goldman from his own novel, the 99-minute 1987 film stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright and Mandy Patinkin in an enchanting fairy-tale comedy.