Blu-ray Review: ‘The Princess Bride: 25th Anniversary Edition’

CHICAGO – Every few years brings another version of “The Princess Bride,” one of the most beloved films of all time. The latest is a 25th anniversary (yes, I feel old too) edition on Blu-ray, complete with an all-new 2-part featurette called “True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon.” That last word there is an over-used one but when you open the BD and see an ad for the “Princess Bride” game for iPhone, it’s hard to argue that Rob Reiner’s movie is NOT a phenomenon.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Mandy Patinkin goes a step further in one of the new interviews with most of the major players in the film’s production when he says that it’s going to be the opening line of all of their obituaries. He’s not wrong. As illustrious as the careers of Patinkin, Rob Reiner, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and all of the other stars have been, they probably are all best known for “The Princess Bride,” a little movie that started modestly but has gained in popularity as it has been handed down from generation to generation. The new documentaries feature not only interviews with all of the key players but the many fans who have become obsessed with the film over the years. The transfer is excellent and all of the old features have been imported. 25 years is nothing for a movie that people will be enraptured with for decades to come.

The Princess Bride: 25th Anniversary Edition was released on Blu-ray on October 2, 2012
Photo credit: MGM

Synopsis:
When the beautiful maiden Buttercup (Robin Wright) hears that her true love Westley (Cary Elwes) is dead, she reluctantly agrees to marry the loathsome Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). After Westley returns to rescue Buttercup, the two begin an epic adventure filled with fencing, fighting, giants, monsters, miracles, true love and hilarity! Featuring an all-star cast, including Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest, The Princess Bride is an almost inconceivable delight from Oscar Nominee Rob Reiner and Oscar Winning screenwriter William Goldman.

Special Features:
o True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon - All New 2 Part Featurette
o Audio Commentary By Rob Reiner
o Audio Commentary By William Goldman
o The Art Of Fencing
o As You Wish: The Story of The Princess Bride
o Cary Elwes Video Diary
o The Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Pirate Of The Seven Seas
o Fairy Tales And Folklore
o Love Is Like A Storybook
o Miraculous Makeup
o The Princess Bride: Untold Stories

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com