Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Princess Bride Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 28, 2018

Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride" (1987) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; audio commentary by Rob Reiner, writer William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman, and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk; archival cast and crew interviews; featurettes; and a lot more. The release also arrives with a 40-page illustrated booklet with writings on the film and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked'.

The stranger

The Princess Bride belongs to a small group of films that are now just as easy to praise as they are to critique. One reason why is the fact that it used to be easier to make films that would be genuinely playful and witty, cheeky and funny, and people allowed these films to entertain them. There was something of a gentlemen’s agreement between the filmmakers and the people that bought tickets to support their work that they would give each other the benefit of the doubt, so the former did their best to entertain while the latter weren’t too hard on them when they delivered a dud. But then the two sides decided to junk the agreement, and as soon as they did the proponents of political correctness unloaded a ton of new rules that made it impossible for them to trust each other. This is where we are right now, enjoying the gifts of political correctness, and having an overwhelming majority of filmmakers consciously or subconsciously pretending that they still have the freedom to create, and even their dwindling customers doing a fair deal of acting when addressing the quality of their work. Don’t shake your head, because it is true. Think. It is not an odd phenomenon that so many people are once again falling in love with the ‘80s. Even those that weren’t around when the ‘80s ended would admit, if they are honest, that they had better films and better music. Have you ever pondered why? Because it was the last decade that allowed people to be bold, creative, and loose, completely free to express their true feelings and emotions without fear that they may not be doing it the ‘right’ way.

Rob Reiner’s film has not lost any of its charm precisely because it goes where it wants to go without fear that it isn’t following the ‘right’ route to get there. Frankly, it is a bit like a Monty Python project with a greater emphasis on old-fashioned romance but conceived on this side of the Atlantic. (The film was actually shot entirely on location in the United Kingdom and Ireland). It is funny, it is cheeky, and it is definitely a bit out there. It is why it appeals to viewers of different ages -- there are all sorts of nuggets in it that may not be as easy to spot and appreciate at sixteen as they are at fifty, or vice versa. It also helps tremendously that the film does not demand a temporary suspension of disbelief to strengthen and legitimize its narrative. On the contrary, it repeatedly pulls its audience out of the period environment where Buttercup (Robin Wright) and the man of her dreams (Cary Elwes) are trying to reunite and survive, and while the grandfather (Peter Falk) explains to his grandson (Fred Savage) why certain things happen to them the audience is freed to enjoy their adventures without needing to question their logic. It is an old trick, but when done right it never disappoints.

The bulk of the criticism that has been produced to dismiss the film as a poor effort is usually supported with claims about sexism that supposedly compromises the evolution of the relationship between the two leads. While certainly very easy to produce, this is the type of dishonest analysis that in recent decades has actually devalued film criticism. The film does not need to establish ‘proper’ characterizations because it transports its audience to an imaginary place where the conventional definitions of ‘proper’ and ‘improper’ are no longer relevant. It is the whole point of the journey -- it is an invitation to temporarily disable all social filters that people are conditioned to utilize while existing in the present, and after that simply have some good old-fashioned fun while being in the company of a motley crew of strangers.

*This new edition of The Princess Bride is sourced from a brand new 4K restoration of the film which was completed while utilizing Criterion’s 1997 laserdisc master, previously supervised and approved by associate producer Steve Nicolaides.

The Princess Bride Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text is included with the release:

"This new 4K digital transfer was created in 16-bit resolution on a Northlight film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative at Deluxe in Burbank, California, and restored using the 1997 Criterion laserdisc master, supervised and approved by associate producer Steve Nicolaides.

Colorist: Kevin O'Connor/EFILM Digital Laboratories, Hollywood."

The new 4K remaster is truly wonderful. Here are the type of improvements that you should expect to see when you compare this release to your older release of the film: There is a significantly expanded range of nuances that rather dramatically affect the perception of depth, so on a larger screen the entire film actually appears better detailed and balanced. One particular sequence where the difference is crystal clear emerges very early into the film, when Buttercup escapes from the castle (see screencapture #3). Density levels are equally impressive and predictably the visuals have that very particular 'tightness' that I find very attractive. There are no traces of digital tinkering, so the visuals also have very strong organic appearance. Some of the most important improvements, however, are in the area of color reproduction. Indeed, the primaries boast excellent saturation levels, while the ranges of nuances are not only better balanced than they are on the previous release, but expanded. Interestingly, there are just as many drastic improvements during daylight footage where the lush primaries shine as there are during the darker footage (see screencaptures #12 and 13). One other aspect of the new presentation that should not be ignored is the vastly superior shadow definition, which directly impacts the dynamic range. (The native 4K remaster must be absolutely breathtaking, because even when only upscaled to 4K now the film looks sensational). Image stability is excellent. There are no debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, or other conventional age-related imperfections. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Bu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Princess Bride Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit). Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did a few quick tests with the lossless track from the old release and as I expected I did not notice any discrepancies to report in our review. The sound is very clear, stable, and properly balanced. The dynamic range is excellent, and there is good separation during some of the action sequences as well.

The Princess Bride Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• True Love - in this vintage program, director Rob Reiner and actors Cary Elwes and Robin Wright recall their work during the shooting of The Princess Bride and discuss the film's massive success. The program was made in 2012. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080p).

• Pure Enchantment - in this new program, Loren-Paul Caplin, writer and adjunct professor of screenwriting at Columbia University, discusses the unique qualities of William Goldman' novel and the screenplay that he produced for The Princess Bride. The program was produced for Criterion in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (18 min, 1080p).

• The Tapestry - this new program examines the tapestries that author William Goldman commissioned from artist Carol Burland for The Princess Bride. The program was created for Criterion in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).

• Making of the Film - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. As You Wish - the vintage content that is gathered here focuses on the production history of The Princess Bride and features numerous archival cast and crew interviews, as well as comments from other actors and prominent fans of the film. The documentary was produced in 2012. (28 min, 1080i).
  
  2. "The Princess Bride": The Untold Story - in this vintage program, actors Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Fred Svage, and Robin Wright discuss the tremendous impact that the success of The Princess Bride has had on their careers and personal lives. The program was produced in 2007. (19 min, 1080i).
  
  3. Fairy-Tale Reality - in this new video interview, art director Richard Holland discusses the visual style of The Princess Bride and some of the unique work that was done to make the fantasy world in which Westley and Buttercup fall in love look real. There are also interesting comments from an archival interview with production designer Norman Garwood. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2018. (12 min, 1080p).
  
  4. Miraculous Makeup - in this vintage program, Billy Crystal and makeup artist discuss the creation of the character Miracle Max. The program was produced in 2006. (12 min, 1080i).
  
  5. Behind the Scenes - presented here is a collection of short videos that were shot during the production of The Princess Bride. Each features an audio commentary that was recorded for Criterion in 1997.
  
  
  • "On the High Seas" - with commentary by producer Andrew Scheinman. (4 min 1080i).
  • "Fezzik, Vizzini, and Buttercup" - with commentary by Billy Crystal. (5 min, 1080i).
  • "Westley and Fezzik" - with commentary by Andrew Scheinman. (5 min 1080i).
  • "Miracle Max's Hut" - with commentary by Billy Crystal (3 min, 1080i).
  • "Buttercup, the King, and the Queen"- with commentary by Rob Reiner. (3 min, 1080i).
  
  6. Cary Elwes Video Diary - the vintage footage that is gathered here was shot by Cary Elwes during the shooting of The Princess Bride, and is narrated by the actor and Robin Wright. (4 min, 1080i).

• The Art of Fencing - in this vintage program, Hollywood sword master Robert Goodwin discusses the various period weapons and fighting techniques that were used in The Princess Bride. The program was created in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080i).

• Fairy Tales & Folklore - in this archival interview, scholar Jack Zipes (Faily Tales and the Art of Subversion) explains why people are drawn to fairy tales, some of the common themes that are represented in them, and the narrative construction of The Princess Bride. The interview was conducted in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080i).

• Publicity Materials - vintage promotional materials for The Princess Bride.
  
  1. U.S. Trailer
  2. Foreign-market Trailer
  3. TV Spot One
  4. TV Spot Two
  5. TV Spot Three
  6. TV Spot Four

• Audiobook - presented here are excerpts from the 1987 Dove Entertainment audiobook of William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride, read by Rob Reiner, and edited by Criterion in 1997. The feature makes it possible to compare scenes from the novel and the corresponding segments from the film.
  
  1. Chapter One: The Bride
  2. In the top twenty
  3. I'll take her
  4. I'll never love you
  5. The Sicilian sense all
  6. Straight for the steepest part
  7. The six-fingered Sword
  8. Scarred for life
  9. Finish him!
  10. No match for my brains
  11. An honest woman
  12. Sudden Flames
  13. Foolish to be afraid
  14. I swear
  15. There was pain coming
  16. It comes to this
  17. The his world exploded
  18. Fezzik, it's you!
  19. The bond of love
  20. Scared to pieces
  21. Rabies! Rabies!
  22. The green-speckled recluse
  23. No survivors!
  24. You killed father
  25. You are not married
  26. I'm an abridger

• Commentary - this vintage commentary was initially included on Criterion's LD edition of The Princess Bride. It features director Rob Reiner, writer William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman, and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk.
  
  1. Genesis of the novel
  2. Inventive framing
  3. Failed attempts
  4. Young upstart
  5. Perfect casting
  6. Studio shooting
  7. Parisian Patinkin
  8. "The best fencing"
  9. Doubling for Andre
  10. No rules
  11. Raves for Robin
  12. First day in flames
  13. Directing rodents
  14. "Evil Buster Keaton"
  15. "That was our audience"
  16. Atrocious marketing
  17. Writing torture
  18. Carl and Rob
  19. Spine of the story
  20. A Big moment
  21. "Mandy couldn't stop laughing"
  22. Driven by Becket
  23. Speech impediment
  24. "I can't do any better"
  25. Grounded in reality
  26. "I love credits like this"

• Booklet - a 40-page illustrated booklet featuring:


• "Let Me Sum Up" by Sloane Crosley
• "How It All Happened" by William Goldman
• Technical credits and detailed cast and crew information

The Princess Bride Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is a lot more to like, but what I always thought made The Princess Bride irresistibly attractive is the fact that it is loose and cheeky. Not in the same way that the Monty Python films can be, but these are the two qualities that bind everything else together and make it work. However, I have come to realize that I was wrong -- there are people that actually dislike this film with a passion. I find it odd, because out of all the classic adventure films that Hollywood has produced over the years The Princess Bride is arguably one of only a few that is completely incompatible with the social filters that some critics like to use to justify their criticism. Is it the masterpiece that its biggest fans claim it is? I don't think so. But boy, you really must have a heart of stone if you can't tolerate what it has to offer. Criterion's upcoming release is sourced from a first-class new 4K remaster and represents a massive upgrade in quality over all previous releases of the film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.