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The Princess Bride is a 1987 romantic adventure comedy directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, adapting Goldman’s own 1973 novel. Its fairy-tale adventure is framed as a grandfather reading to his ill grandson—a setup that lets the film pair romance and swordplay with comedy and a knowing sense of storytelling.
What is The Princess Bride about?
A grandfather visits his ill grandson and reads him a story of love and adventure. Within that frame, a princess and her true love are drawn into a fairy-tale world of danger, daring rescues, swordplay, and comic villains. The framing story connects the adventure to the grandson’s reactions, while the film plays with familiar fairy-tale conventions rather than treating them solemnly.
The film is commonly described through several genres, not just one: the studio classifies it as adventure, comedy, and romance, while Disney+ also lists action and adventure, comedy, romance, and fantasy. Those are catalog labels, not a definitive or exclusive genre.
Who made the film, and when was it released?
Rob Reiner directed The Princess Bride, and William Goldman wrote the screenplay. The Walt Disney Studios listing gives its release date as September 25, 1987, its rating as PG, and its runtime as 1 hour 38 minutes. The listed cast includes Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Robin Wright.
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Is The Princess Bride based on a book?
Yes. The film adapts William Goldman’s 1973 novel, and Goldman also wrote the screenplay. The Academy identifies the movie as based on that novel and describes the grandfather-and-grandson frame. Readers interested in the original literary work can seek out the Academy’s overview of the film and Goldman’s source novel.
What is included in the Criterion edition?
Criterion documents a The Princess Bride 4K UHD + Blu-ray Special Edition. Its listed contents include a 4K digital restoration with Dolby Vision, commentary, an edited audiobook reading of Goldman’s novel by Reiner, interviews, and programs about the screenplay, makeup, fencing, and fairy tales. See Criterion’s edition page for the full feature listing.
This is the physical edition to consider if you want the film on disc and value its supplementary material. Before buying, check that your player supports 4K UHD discs if you want to use that disc, and confirm that the package’s Blu-ray works with your equipment and region. The edition listing establishes the formats and extras, but not compatibility with a particular setup or current retail stock.
Which format or related book should you choose?
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion 4K UHD + Blu-ray | Owning the film on disc and exploring its extras | Criterion lists a 4K restoration, Dolby Vision, commentary, interviews, and other programs. Check your player and display compatibility. |
| William Goldman’s novel | Reading the source story | The Academy identifies the film as based on Goldman’s 1973 novel; it is the original literary work, not a making-of account. |
| Cary Elwes’s As You Wish | Learning about the production | The publisher describes it as a making-of account with photographs and interviews with costars and other participants. See Simon & Schuster’s book page. |
Where can you watch The Princess Bride?
A US Disney+ catalog page has listed the film, but streaming catalogs and subscription terms vary by country and change over time. Check Disney+ in your region for current availability rather than assuming a US listing applies elsewhere.
Quick Recap
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- INTERACTIVE GAMEPLAY: Dive into the world of The Princess Bride with this immersive game. Navigate through iconic locations from the film such as the Cliffs of Insanity and the Fire Swamp while guiding characters like Buttercup, Westley, and Inigo
- UNIQUE CHAPTER BOOK DESIGN: With our unique 'game book', each game unfolds like a chapter from the beloved tale. Turn the pages to discover new boards and challenges, creating a fresh adventure every time
- PERFECT GIFT FOR MOVIE FANS: This game features stunning artwork and detailed miniatures of the film’s characters, making it an ideal gift for lovers of the iconic film
- EASY TO LEARN: Clear diagrams and visuals in our step-by-step rulebook make learning the game simple. Or, search for 'Watch It Played: The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game' on YouTube for an online tutorial
- ALL-INCLUSIVE SET: Comes with 1 Adventure Book game board, 1 Replay counter, 5 Challenge Completed tokens, 5 Miracle counters, 4 Player Reference cards, 40 Story cards, 30 Special cards, 20 Plot cards, 7 character miniatures, 33 counters, and a rulebook
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