Top 50 Movies: Number 48

Number 48: The Princess Bride


The Princess Bride is a rare gem of a movie that is made for the whole family and still manages to be smart and genuinely entertaining. The film starts out with young Kevin Arnold lying in his bed sick enough to be confined to his bed but not too sick to be playing what appears to be Bases Loaded on his Nintendo (yes this movie is from the eighties.) Lieutenant Columbo who is also his grandfather comes in to visit and read him a story called The Princess Bride.

Our princess has been captured by this nasty little man? Inconceivable!

This is a story full of swashbuckling adventure and tongue in cheek humor. There is a pirate, a giant, an evil prince, a damsel in distress, a deadly fire swamp and more. The story revolves around the love between Buttercup and Westley and their efforts to be reunited after she is kidnapped and he has been rumored to have been killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Westley makes many allies and enemies on his journey including the aforementioned giant, a spanish swordsman with a thirst for vengeance, an evil genius, a man called Miracle Max, the requisite nasty prince and a six fingered man (which I just learned was played by nuts person Christopher Guest.)

Chivalry.

The movie is good campy fun and never takes itself too seriously. For many people my age this movie was a staple from childhood. It was not so for me, however, and I probably would've listed it much higher if nostalgia played a part for me. This is a classic movie and anyone with a sense of humor should get some enjoyment out of it. Oh, and one more thing:

My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.