The Princess Bride is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. But did you know that the making of this beloved film was just as enchanting as the story itself? Here are 27 fascinating facts about The Princess Bride that will leave you in awe. From the creative vision of Rob Reiner and William Goldman to the unique casting choices and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, get ready to dive into the magical world of The Princess Bride like never before!
The Birth of a Passionate Collaboration: Rob Reiner's father, Carl Reiner, gifted him a copy of The Princess Bride by William Goldman, sparking a lifelong love for the book and its author. This personal connection fueled Rob's determination to bring the story to life on the big screen.
A Studio's Hesitation: After the success of Reiner's first two films, a studio executive initially hesitated when he pitched adapting The Princess Bride. She expressed her concern, saying, "Anything but that." But Reiner's passion and determination prevailed.
A Modest Budget, A Big Challenge: Norman Lear, the producer of All in the Family, funded the movie despite having to cut his own and the cast's salaries to fit the modest budget. His support was instrumental in bringing The Princess Bride to life.
Author's Approval, Career Highlight: Reiner's greatest achievement, according to him, was securing William Goldman's approval for his vision of the movie. Goldman's support was crucial in bringing the book's magic to the screen.
The Perfect Westley: Reiner watched Cary Elwes in Lady Jane and knew he had found the right actor for Westley. Elwes' charm and humor made him the ideal choice for the role.
Buttercup's Last-Minute Casting: Robin Wright was one of the last actresses considered for Buttercup. She was cast only a week before filming began, and William Goldman exclaimed, "That's what I wrote."
Vizzini's Original Choice: Reiner initially wanted Danny DeVito for the role of Vizzini, but Wallace Shawn's hilarious audition convinced him otherwise. Shawn's performance was so funny that he won the part.
Imitating Reiner's Style: Wallace Shawn's performance was largely based on imitating how Rob Reiner would play the part. This unique approach added to the film's charm.
Billy Crystal's Character Choice: Billy Crystal, Reiner's best friend, chose Miracle Max after reading the book. He wanted to play a character with a unique and memorable presence.
Mandy Patinkin's Role Selection: Similarly, Mandy Patinkin was sent the script and asked to choose a role. He opted for Inigo Montoya, a character with a rich backstory and a strong desire for vengeance.
Fezzik's Inspiration: William Goldman had Andre the Giant in mind when creating the character of Fezzik. He insisted on casting him, knowing that no one else could bring the character to life quite like him.
Andre the Giant's English Challenge: Andre the Giant wasn't fluent in English, so Reiner recorded all his lines on tape, and Andre studied them diligently.
Film Locations in England: Haddon Hall was the main location for Prince Humperdinck's castle, while some interior shots were filmed at Penshurst Palace, adding to the film's enchanting atmosphere.
Cast's Close Bond: During filming, the cast stayed at the same hotel and often ate and socialized together, fostering a strong bond that translated into their on-screen chemistry.
Cary Elwes' Broken Toe: Elwes injured his toe riding an ATV with Andre the Giant, and he had to deal with the pain for much of the filming.
Christopher Guest's Sword-Clashing: Guest kept ruining takes by making sword-clashing noises with his mouth during his fight scenes with Mandy Patinkin.
Mandy Patinkin's Emotional Performance: Patinkin drew heavily on his grief for his own father, who died when he was 18, to portray Inigo Montoya's grief and desire for vengeance. He found the experience "very healing."
Billy Crystal and Carol Kane's Backstory: Crystal and Kane met before filming to discuss the book and create a backstory for their married-couple characters, adding depth to their performances.
Miracle Max's Unique Makeup: Billy Crystal's makeup for Miracle Max was partly inspired by his grandmother and partly by former baseball manager Casey Stengel, creating a unique and memorable look.
Makeup and Prosthetics Challenge: The makeup and prosthetics for Crystal and Kane took hours to apply, and they started their workday at 2 am for the three days they were filming.
Improvisation and Laughter: Both Crystal and Kane almost entirely improvised their lines, with Reiner laughing so hard during filming that he had to leave the room. Patinkin, meanwhile, bruised a rib trying to control his laughter.
Andre the Giant's Warmth: During forest shoots, Andre the Giant would rest his large hands on Robin Wright's head to keep her warm between takes.
Andre the Giant's Back Problems: Despite his character's physical strength, Andre the Giant had chronic back problems, which meant he couldn't actually carry any weight. Special effects were used to create the illusion of him carrying Buttercup and wrestling with Westley.
Mandy Patinkin's Emotional Reaction: When Patinkin first saw the movie in full, he cried because he was so thrilled to be a part of it.
Marketing Mystery: The studio was so stumped about how to market The Princess Bride that they didn't even release a trailer, leaving fans to discover the film's magic on their own.
A Life-Saving Story: One of the best anecdotes Reiner heard from a fan was that The Princess Bride had saved her life, highlighting the film's enduring impact and emotional resonance.
A Timeless Legacy: The Princess Bride's enduring popularity and cultural impact are a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic that can be created on the big screen.
