The Princess Bride: A Tale of Two Classics
I was in college the first time I saw The Princess Bride. Someone put in a VHS tape (Yes, it was that long ago!) and insisted we had to watch. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the time Westley rolled down the hill shouting “As you wish,” I was completely hooked. It wasn’t just funny or romantic — it was something different, something special. Years later, I found out there was a book behind the movie. That discovery sent me on a whole new adventure, uncovering a fantasy story that felt even richer than I imagined.
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Few stories have captured hearts quite like The Princess Bride. William Goldman’s 1973 novel mixed fairy tale tropes with wit, emotion, and satire, while Rob Reiner’s 1987 film turned it into a cult classic—quoted, loved, and rewatched for decades.
Themes and Devices
The book is enchanting—maybe even more so than the film. Framed as an abridged version of a fictional book by “S. Morgenstern” from the made-up country of Florin, the novel is packed with hilarious commentary from Goldman himself. It’s a fairy tale, a satire, and a clever takedown of politics, storytelling, and even the very idea of “true love.” Plus, it dives deeper into characters like Inigo and Fezzik, giving their stories even more heart.
While the movie focuses on the classic romance-adventure formula, the book plays with structure and tone in unexpected ways. Goldman inserts himself as a character, telling us about how he first encountered the book and how he’s “abridging” it for us, cutting out the boring parts. It’s a playful trick that turns the reader into a co-conspirator. You’re not just reading a story—you’re in on the joke. That extra layer adds a richness the film doesn’t attempt but also doesn’t need, since the two mediums complement each other beautifully.
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While the book is a success, the film stands proudly on its own. Rob Reiner’s direction, paired with Goldman’s screenplay, distills the story’s essence into something deeply memorable. The cast brings their roles to life with such heart and humor that it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing them. Cary Elwes as the dashing Westley, Robin Wright as the strong-yet-soft Buttercup, and of course, Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya—each performance has become iconic in its own right. The film doesn’t just adapt the book; it redefines how a fairy tale can look, sound, and feel for modern audiences.
“Inconceivable!”
Goldman poured his heart into this one. In this 1987 interview with Bobbie Wygant, he admits that The Princess Bride is the only thing he ever wrote that he truly loved. And it shows. The screenplay he wrote for the film keeps the heart of the book alive—just streamlined for screen, with a bit more charm and many more quote-worthy lines.
And speaking of quotes, Mandy Patinkin, who famously plays Inigo Montoya, loves when he is asked about the film. He shared in a CBS Sunday Morning interview that the line, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die” means more to him than fans might realize. For him, it’s not just a line — he hopes it is in his obituary.
Whether you’re re-living a childhood favorite or discovering it for the first time, both the book and the movie versions of A Princess Bride offer their own kind of magic. Whichever medium you decide to experience first, just be sure not to skip it. After all, this is The Princess Bride we’re talking about. It’s an adventure worth taking again and again.
What do you think? Have you read or watched The Princess Bride? Do you prefer the book or the movie? Let us know which book-turned-movie we should explore next in the comments!
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Author: Pamela Crum, Teacher Coordinator at A Grade Ahead
