10 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About… The Princess Bride
Action-packed, funny and light-hearted, it's not wonder that 1987's The Princess Bride is still as much loved now s it has ever been. Being packed with sooo many classic quotes including that one has possibly helped just a touch too!
So! Let us dive head first into the pool of frankly inconceivable facts about this classic with our 10 Things You (Probably) Didnât Know About The Princess Bride. Enjoy!
1. Neither Cary Elwes or Mandy Patinkin had any sword-fighting experience before filming. Both trained rigorously, and every frame of Inigo and Westleyâs sword fight on The Cliffs of Insanity is actually the two actors.
2. The music came with a quirky catch.
Director Rob Reiner wanted Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits to write the music for the movie. He agreed, on one condition: That Reiner put the hat that he wore in âThis Is Spinal Tapâ in the film. He did, and it appears in the grandsonâs bedroom.
Remember when Westley recognises Count Rugen as the six-fingered man and he then hits him with the butt of his sword? Well, after a few takes of not-so-convincing fake attempts they decide to go for it. Landing it a little too heavy, Elwes was literally knocked unconscious for real and later wakes up in hospital. This is the cut that was used for the final edit.
4. It really wasn't an instant hit.
Turns out not! Grossing just under double it's total budget in the US, The Princess Bride didn't really come good until it's later release on good old VHS when it finally reached millions of homes and jumpered into our lives big time.
5. It was written for the author's two daughters.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, novel author revealed how he had said to his daughters that he would write them a story and ask what they would like it to be about. One said 'a princess!' and the other 'a bride!' and the rest is history.
6. Filming wasn't always smooth.
In the fire swamp, Robin Wrightâs dress caught on fire. This was intentional, but when writer William Goldman saw it, he shouted, "Her dress is on fire!" and ruined the take.
7. Nabbing the role of Buttercup sure wasn't easy!
Director Rob Reiner auditioned over 500 women for the role, including Courtney Cox, Meg Ryan, Uma Thurman, and Whoopie Goldberg.
8. Sometimes the cast really were heroes.
Remember the awesome moment when Westley jumps into the quicksand? Cool moment right? Well, originally this was meant to be feet first for safety as there was a trap door underneath which needed to be opened and just the right moment to avoid injury. Insisting that feet first wasn't particularly heroic, Cary Elwes opted to jump head first (waaay more dangerous for obvious reasons), he nailed it fist time and this was the take that made it into the film. Legend!
9. It wasn't always 'Quiet on set!'.
Director Rob Reiner couldnât be in the room when Billy Crystal filmed his scenes, because he would start to feel ill from laughing so hard.
ALSO - Crystal filmed the role of Miracle Max over three days for 10 hours a day, and never made the same joke twice.
10. It was a very long time in the making....
Author William Goldman was trying to get the film made in the 1970s, but sadly Andre the Giant wouldnât read for the role of Fezzik, so a little-known at the time Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for the role. When the film was eventually made a whopping 12 years later, Schwarzenegger was such a huge success they simply couldnât afford him, but their first choice was cast instead.
So there you have them peeps! Find out anything cool? Perhaps you know even more cool Princess Bride facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
xoxo