There are stories so inspirational hey influence an entire generation and become an instant classic.
Allow me to tell you about a storybook fable that became a movie. It has fencing, adventure, giants, an evil prince and a beautiful princess, life and death, and true love not to blave, which means to bluff for no story is complete without true love.
It all began 44 years ago in 1973 with a book called “The Princess Bride,” written by William Goldman, which he presented as an abridgment of a longer work by S. Morgenstern. The author adapted his novel into a screenplay over a decade later. On Sept. 25, 1987, “The Princess Bride” was released in theaters and has since become a cult classic.
In the month of the films 30th anniversary, I reflect on why this film has resonated with me and is even a part of my extensive Blu-ray collection.
I admire “The Princess Bride” for its humor. After all, it is quite funny when, in the middle of an intense sword fight, Inigo Montoya is smiling, when the man in black asks why, Inigo reveals that he is not left handed, thinking he has the upper hand in the duel, until the mysterious man reveals that he too is not left handed. However, that is not the only reason I love this movie.
I am a big fan of action and adventure. Something the film has much of, with sword fights, facing the dangerous Fire Swamp, and raiding a castle. But no, that is not it either.
In truth, I love “The Princess Bride” because it is a story of love. Pure unconquerable love even death cannot defeat but only delay for a little while. A love a grandfather shows to his sick grandson by reading a book, which his father had read to him. The kind of love that may be inconceivable to some, but in reality, is a miracle that leads a man like Inigo to spend 30 years of his life in search of the man who killed his father and say to him, “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
For 30 years, this film has touched the hearts of at least two generations and the combination of humor, high adventure and love is one not to be missed. The film will be released on the big screen in select theaters in celebration of its 30th anniversary on Oct. 15 and 16.
If the film is shown here in St. George on those dates at any of the Megaplex Theaters, go see it. It is well worth it. Anything else would be inconceivable.
