A “masterpiece” family comedy based on a classic novel and hailed as “the perfect movie” is streaming now in the UK. The Princess Bride (1987) is an American fantasy adventure that tells the story of a dashing farmhand called Westley (Cary Elwes) whose true love Buttercup (Robin Wright) is kidnapped as part of a devious scheme by the villainous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), in a witty satire on classic fairytale narratives.
The star-studded cast also includes Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane. The film was directed by the late great Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally), and was adapted by legendary screenwriter William Goldman from his own novel of the same name.
Fans have flocked to IMDb to shower the beloved 1980s classic with praise. One called it the “perfect movie”, adding: “This is one of those rare films that gets better each time you watch it. With something for everyone, The Princess Bride combines romance, action, adventure and parody to create the perfect movie.
“Cary Elwes and Robin Wright are beautiful to watch and the story of their love is a wonderful backdrop to the adventure and intrigue played out in this story.
“Mandy Patinkin is wonderful as Inigo and gets to deliver some of the best lines in the film. Chris Sarandon is perfect in his role as the bad guy prince.”
Another wrote: “The simplest pleasures in life are the best, and this film is one of them. Combining a rather basic storyline of love and adventure this movie transcends the usual weekend fair with wit and unmitigated charm. Every character is a delight and you just want to see more of them.”
A third added: “One of those great treasures that you cannot dislike. No matter how many times you see, it takes you breath away, makes you laugh and gives you a taste of the old swashbuckler films of the 1930s.
“Rob Reiner directs this wonderful romance-comedy-adventure with passion and wit. A classic in a class of its own.”
A fourth said it’s not “by any means Citizen Kane (we already have one of those, anyway) but a champ in its weight class, with a perfect score, a fine script and good performances”.
“Far more true to the flavour of the original fairy tales that it spoofs than even the best of Disney’s takes. I loved it the first time I saw it and love it more now. Well worth watching. Recommended.”
A fifth called it “truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that everyone can and should enjoy”.
“There is nothing quite like The Princess Bride. It’s classic, timeless, charming, clever, hilarious, well-done, and just an all-around excellent film,” they wrote.
The Princess Bride was added to Disney+ on Wednesday, April 15. It’s also available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a Lionsgate+ add-on. Alternatively, you can buy or rent it on YouTube, Sky Store, or Apple TV.
