‹ 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
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
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