‹ All movies

The Rewatchables ·

The Princess Bride

year 1987decade 80sdirector Rob Reinergenre Comedygenre Fantasygenre Adventure
host Juliet Litmanhost David Shoemaker
All 12 categories

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 40:13

The source-limited “My name is Inigo Montoya” introduction

David Shoemaker: The recognizable “My name is Inigo Montoya” introduction wins because its context makes the reference immediate; the full canonical continuation awaits audio verification.

The film

The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed by Rob Reiner · Comedy

98 minutes

Find on IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Cary Elwes Westley/the Dread Pirate Roberts
Mandy Patinkin Inigo Montoya
Chris Sarandon Prince Humperdinck
Christopher Guest Count Tyrone Rugen
Wallace Shawn Vizzini
Fred Savage the grandson
Robin Wright Princess Buttercup
Peter Falk the grandfather
Peter Cook the Impressive Clergyman
Mel Smith the Albino
Carol Kane Valerie

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

2:42

Half-Assed Internet Research

Goldman’s novel and rights, Reiner and Lear’s support, Wright and Elwes’s careers, exact casting, Andre’s wrestling s...

Goldman’s novel and rights, Reiner and Lear’s support, Wright and Elwes’s careers, exact casting, Andre’s wrestling schedule and physical limits, and Goldman writing Fezzik with Andre in mind

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:42Read transcript
  • Rob Reiner directed the film from William Goldman’s 1973 novel, and the grandfather framing preserves the book’s asides and genre commentary. — Juliet Litman
  • 20th Century Fox paid Goldman $500,000 for the rights in 1973 but did not make the movie; Goldman later bought the rights back. — Juliet Litman
  • Norman Lear produced the film and is credited with signing off after Rob Reiner selected the lead actor. — Juliet Litman
  • Reiner wanted Carrie Elways after Lady Jane, while Robin Wright’s late audition is described through the story of her appearing backlit at Goldman’s door. — Juliet Litman
  • Andre the Giant was the first choice, but an apparent Tokyo wrestling commitment initially made him unavailable. — Juliet Litman
  • Andre’s back surgery required the production to rig Robin Wright, use a masked double for impact, and put Carrie Always on a box for close shots. — David Shoemaker
  • Kareem Abdul-Jibar, Lou Forigno, a Scottish strongman, and the actor known from Twin Peaks were considered while Andre was unavailable. — Juliet Litman
  • Robin Wright’s post-film career discussion highlights Forrest Gump, House of Cards, She’s So Lovely, the film rendered “white old Leander,” and Wonder Woman. — Juliet Litman
  • The actor rendered Carrie Always is described as an ideal fairy-tale lead whose later career moved through spoofs and villain roles. — David Shoemaker
  • The Crush and Clueless discussion traces Alicia Silverstone’s career around the Aerosmith-video period. — Juliet Litman
  • The production contacted the WWF because Andre’s wrestling bookings controlled his availability. — David Shoemaker
  • Andre’s availability is compared with the Michael J. Fox and Back to the Future scheduling story. — David Shoemaker
  • William Goldman was a wrestling fan who reportedly wrote the novel with Andre in mind and asked casting to find someone like him. — David Shoemaker
Share this discussion More Half-Assed Internet Research answers
18:16

Most Rewatchable Scene

The run from Westley reaching the cliffs through his three successive showdowns

The run from Westley reaching the cliffs through his three successive showdowns

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:18:16Read transcript
  • The film’s tight pace and lack of excess make almost the entire story rewatchable. — David Shoemaker
  • The sequence from Wesley reaching the cliffs through his three bad-guy showdowns is the preferred stretch. — Juliet Litman
  • Inigo Montoya’s showdown with the six-fingered man is the leading late-film alternative. — David Shoemaker
Share this discussion More Most Rewatchable Scene answers
19:43

What’s Aged the Worst?

The obviously artificial outdoor sets and rocks age worst, followed by the all-white cast.

The obviously artificial outdoor sets and rocks age worst, followed by the all-white cast.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:43Read transcript
  • Some outdoor sets resemble a live television musical, though the storybook framing partly excuses the look. — Juliet Litman
  • Clearly artificial rocks are the weakest visual element. — David Shoemaker
  • The all-white cast stands out against the broader inclusiveness expected of a modern family movie. — Juliet Litman
Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Worst? answers
23:09

What’s Aged the Best?

The timeless theatrical style, tactile roughness, Robin Wright, and the Fire Swamp danger

The timeless theatrical style, tactile roughness, Robin Wright, and the Fire Swamp danger

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:09Read transcript
  • The fantasy is not tied to a particular era of visual technology, which helps the theatrical sets remain timeless. — David Shoemaker
  • Visible improvisation, practical roughness, and small human details make the movie feel alive rather than digitally polished. — David Shoemaker
  • Robin Wright is the emphatic person who aged best, both for her original performance and continuing screen presence. — Juliet Litman
  • Buttercup sinking into the sand and the rodent attack still play as genuinely frightening physical danger. — Juliet Litman
Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Best? answers
28:36

Casting What-Ifs

A serialized Renaissance caper; Matthew Goode as Westley; Buttercup unresolved; Wallace Shawn may return

A serialized Renaissance caper; Matthew Goode as Westley; Buttercup unresolved; Wallace Shawn may return

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:36Read transcript
  • The story could expand into ten episodes and further adventures around the Dread Pirate Roberts identity. — David Shoemaker
  • Former wrestlers and basketball players offer more modern giant options, including Blake Griffin. — David Shoemaker
  • Buttercup is judged the hardest role because the story depends on a singular combination of beauty and personality. — David Shoemaker
  • Matthew Good is the direct Wesley choice, provided he remains brunette. — Juliet Litman
  • Wallace Sean is difficult to replace, so a remake might retain him in a smaller role. — Juliet Litman
Share this discussion More Casting What-Ifs answers
31:52

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Chris Sarandon

Chris Sarandon

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:31:52Read transcript
Share this discussion More The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance answers
34:04

Apex Mountain

Chris Sarandon is a near-candidate, but Cary Elwes is declared at his career apex as Westley.

Chris Sarandon is a near-candidate, but Cary Elwes is declared at his career apex as Westley.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:04Read transcript
  • Chris Sarandon is described as almost eligible for Apex Mountain. — Juliet Litman
  • Carrie Always is declared at his apex because no later role surpassed Wesley as a leading-man and heartthrob performance. — Juliet Litman
Share this discussion More Apex Mountain answers
35:10

Unintentional Comedy Award

Andre the Giant’s line delivery; Cary Elwes’s heartthrob status

Andre the Giant’s line delivery; Cary Elwes’s heartthrob status

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:10Read transcript
  • The film’s intentional, tongue-in-cheek comedy makes unintentional moments hard to separate. — David Shoemaker
  • Andre’s hard-to-understand line delivery is funny in a way no other performer could reproduce. — David Shoemaker
  • Carrie always being a heartthrob is offered as the personal second answer. — Juliet Litman
Share this discussion More Unintentional Comedy Award answers
37:05

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Westley waiting until Buttercup is captured to return, Buttercup failing to recognize him, and whether “iocane” is a ...

Westley waiting until Buttercup is captured to return, Buttercup failing to recognize him, and whether “iocane” is a cocaine joke

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:05Read transcript
  • Westley’s long absence and decision to return only after Buttercup is endangered are questioned. — Juliet Litman
  • Buttercup’s inability to recognize Wesley through a simple disguise is called ridiculous but consistent with fairy-tale convention. — David Shoemaker
  • The name “iocane powder” prompts an unresolved question about a cocaine joke. — David Shoemaker
Share this discussion More Probably Unanswerable Questions answers
40:13

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

The source-limited “My name is Inigo Montoya” introduction

The source-limited “My name is Inigo Montoya” introduction

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:13Read transcript
  • The recognizable “My name is Inigo Montoya” introduction wins because its context makes the reference immediate; the full canonical continuation awaits audio verification. — David Shoemaker
  • “Inconceivable” and “as you wish” are strong alternatives. — David Shoemaker
  • Mandy Patinkin’s performance is praised as an anchor with the story’s clearest moral arc. — David Shoemaker
Share this discussion More The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie answers
42:45

Is This Movie Better With…?

Danny Trejo is accepted for a remake, preferably as Fezzik or another intimidating figure who proves warm.

Danny Trejo is accepted for a remake, preferably as Fezzik or another intimidating figure who proves warm.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:45Read transcript
Share this discussion More Is This Movie Better With…? answers
43:47

Who Won the Movie?

Andre the Giant and Wallace Shawn

Andre the Giant and Wallace Shawn

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:47Read transcript
  • Andre the Giant is one winner because the documentary release makes this his week and his presence bridges the film and wrestling. — David Shoemaker
  • William Goldman and Rob Reiner receive supporting cases for the idea and execution. — David Shoemaker
  • The other final choice is the performer rendered “Sean,” praised for bringing outsized personality and impeccable delivery to a plot-heavy movie. — David Shoemaker
Podcast choices
David Shoemaker
Andre the Giant
Share this discussion More Who Won the Movie? answers

More from the conversation

The episode was timed to the HBO premiere of the Andre the Giant documentary, which Bill Simmons executive produced.
Approx. transcript time · 00:01:52Read transcript
The grandfather-and-child frame preserves the novel’s commentary on stories, fairy tales, and genre.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:42Read transcript
The 20th Century Fox rights purchase, Goldman’s buyback, and Reiner’s persistence explain the long route from1973 novel to1987 film.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:42Read transcript
Andre’s wrestling schedule, back surgery, and limited mobility shaped both his availability and the staging of his scenes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:25Read transcript
The simple sets, close cast, dialogue, practical effects, and improvisation create a theatrical quality that helps the fantasy remain timeless.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:43Read transcript
Rob Reiner’s collaborations with Billy Crystal lead into discussion of When Harry Met Sally and Reiner’s broader filmography.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:36Read transcript
The proposed remake debate treats Buttercup as the hardest role and the Dread Pirate Roberts as the strongest route to serial world-building.
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:17Read transcript
Mandy Patinkin’s sword training, signature line, and moral arc make Inigo an anchor even though he is not a final winner choice.
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:42Read transcript
Juliet recalls falling into Mandy Patinkin’s pool as a small child and being rescued by her father.
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:05Read transcript