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The Princess Bride Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    77

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Julie Salamon

    The movie has its own genuine charm and one hilarious high: Billy Crystal & Carol Kane are simply wonderful. [24 Sept 1987, p.24(E)]

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety

    It also doesn't help that Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as the loving couple are nearly comatose and inspire little passion from each other, or the audience.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Crystal is such a panic - and normally uptight Patinkin is so attractively relaxed as a Spanish swordsman - that Bride's charms just can't be ignored. [25 Sept 1987]

  • 75

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Ty Burr

    Reiner's penchant for hip little riffs -- Billy Crystal as a yiddish wizard, etc. -- dilutes primal power in favor of genial fun.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

    Mr. Reiner seems to understand exactly what Mr. Goldman loves about stories of this kind, and he conveys it with clarity and affection. [25 Sept 1987, p.C10]

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    It is filled with good-hearted fun, with performances by actors who seem to be smacking their lips and by a certain true innocence that survives all of Reiner's satire.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    It's Patinkin who scores a special triumph. In his role there's a poignant strain of weariness beneath the leaping bravado, a pain under the braggadocio. [25 Sept 1987]

  • See all The Princess Bride reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 8+

Witty, winsome fairy tale for the whole family.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this quirky, funny fairy tale has quite a bit of action-style violence, including a torture machine, sword fights (one to the death), a death by poisoning, quicksand, fire pits, and ROUSes (rodents of unusual size) and giant shrieking eels that attack main characters. But the movie's skewed humor and its storybook feel lessen some of the impact of the violent scenes. There's also some drinking -- in one scene a drunken character is revived in a barrel of water -- and a bit of kissing.

  • Families can talk about what makes for a really good adventure/love story. Is it sword fights? Scary creatures? Handsome leading men and ladies?
  • How does this movie poke fun at some of the standard fairy tale elements?
  • In the end, why didn't the sick boy mind the kissing scene as much as he thought he would?

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true0

    Educational value: The movie is intended to entertain rather than educate.

  • message true3

    Messages: Despite some manipulation and betrayal along the way, overall the movie's message is about the triumph of true love and the importance of loyalty, friendship, and family.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: Characters prize true love and generally hold fast to their ideals where it's concerned. Some characters compromise their beliefs in the pursuit of their goals, but they don't win out in the end. Inigo is driven almost solely by a powerful quest for vengeance, but he has strong reasons. The grandfather and grandson have a touching relationship.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence and scariness: Action-style violence includes a torture machine, sword fights (one to the death), a death by poisoning, quicksand, fire pits, shrieking eels, and menacing ROUSes (rodents of unusual size).

  • sex false1

    Sexy stuff: A few kisses, most notably a very sweet storybook kiss. One reference to Buttercup's "perfect breasts."

  • language false2

    Language: One use of "son of a bitch." Also "my God."

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Inigo has a drinking problem (he's shown inebriated), and Fezzik nurses him back to health. Other characters sometimes drink from goblets of wine.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

The Princess Bride by dodgerfan_nyc
This is an awesome and CLASSIC movie. It's got everything and nothing. Included: Rodents of Unusual Size. Shriieking Eels. Fire. Wheelbarrows & Holocaust Cloaks. Albinos. Old Lady's with Warts on their Noses. Humperdinks. Impressive Clergymen. Kissing Books. Men in Black Masks. Pirates. Shrieking Eels. Castles. Mutton Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches. Cities named after currency. A Prince with retarded CSI prowess. WWF Stars. Spaniards. Six-Fingered Men. Cheek Scars. Forest Gu-ump's Girl Jennay. Farm Boys. Girls named after Reesse's Peanut Candy. Columbo. Dr. Jonas Miller, before the Twister swept him up and spit him out. The dude from Criminal Mind. Ryhming. Cliffs of Insanity.....the list goes on...oh yeah....did i mention all the Fencing, Fighting, Torture, Revenge, Giants, Monsters, Chases, Escapes, True Love, Miracles.... Not Included: Cussing, Sex, Graphic Violence, Bathroom Humor, Children in peril, Recreational Drug Use, Alcoholism.. there u have it:"everything & nothing"

5

Great fun watching it with other fans... by mamaeri
I loved watching it in the theater after so many years. It was so much fun when the whole audience spontaneously quoted parts of the film, exactly at the same time.

5

The Princess Bride by Canefire
I did not have time to go to a movie right now, but this is The Princess Bride. I went to the premiere of this movie in the mid-80's. It became my favorite movie at that time and remained so. Now the special effects are somewhat dated, but the acting, characters, costuming, sets and cinematography will never be. The laughs are there no matter how many times I watch it. I and the friend who accompanied me were very glad we went. This is movie making at its best. Mahalo to the Hana Hou Picture Show.

5

my fave movie!! by omginbd
great movie from start to finish!!!

5

Brilliant and Magical by Quirky_Mango
Oh, if only I hadn't watched this movie 132,792,239,234 times... If you haven't seen it, you must. It's simply wonderful!

5

Timeless classic! by gabby_girl
This is a movie the whole family will enjoy! Such comedic genius never goes out of style.

5

by savta46

5

by KellyJ

5

by giacomo1729

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