The Princess Bride [Blu-ray] (Rob Reiner, 1987) Reissued January 4th, 2011 at a cheaper price!: Review by Leonard Norwitz / Gary Tooze Studio: Theatrical: Reiner/Scheinman Blu-ray: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment / Criterion - Spine #948 Disc: Region: 'A'-locked (both) Runtime: 1:38:21.937 / 1:38:38.662 Disc Size: 40,664,407,496 bytes / 47,657,843,456 bytes Feature Size: 32,991,184,896 bytes / 29,921,243,136 bytes Average Bitrate: 35.72 Mbps / 34/10 Mbps Chapters: 30 / 26 Case: Custom Blu-ray case / lavishly illustrated, clothbound book (see image below) Release date: March 17th, 2009 / October 30th, 2018 Video (both) : Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Resolution: 1080p Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3856 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3856 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / Dolby Surround

Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps DTS-HD Master Audio English 3837 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3837 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Audio Book: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Subtitles: English SDH & Spanish / English (SDH), none Extras: • Audio Commentary by Director Rob Reiner & Writer William Goldman • Fairy Tales & Folklore* (9:16) • The Art of Fencing* (7:07) • The Princess Bride – The Untold Tales* (9:06) • The Dread Pirate Roberts (11:43) • Miraculous Makeup (11:22) • Cary Elwes' Video Diary (3:55) • Love is Like a Storybook (16:43) • DVD of the Feature Film (with selected bonus features*) • Audio commentary from 1996 featuring director Rob Reiner, screenwriter William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman, and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk

• E dited 1987 audiobook reading of Goldman’s novel The Princess Bride by Reiner

• New program about Goldman’s screenplay (17:17)

• New program about Goldman’s tapestry based on his novel (6:26)

• Archival interviews with Reiner, Goldman, and actors Crystal, Cary Elwes, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Fred Savage, and Robin Wright (11:45 )

• New interview with art director Richard Holland (11:54)

• Programs about makeup (11:22), fencing (7:08), and fairy tales (9:16)

• On-set video diary filmed and narrated by Elwes (3:56)

• Five behind-the-scenes videos with commentaries from 1996 by Reiner, Scheinman, and Crystal

• Trailers (2:16 / 2:19) and 4 TV Spots (1:02, 0:32, 0:33 + 0:32)

PLUS: An essay by author Sloane Crosley and, for the Blu-ray edition, Goldman’s introduction to his Princess Bride script from his collection Four Screenplays, in a lavishly illustrated, clothbound book The Film: A high-spirited adventure that pits true love against inconceivable odds, The Princess Bride has charmed legions of fans with its irreverent gags, eccentric ensemble, and dazzling swordplay. A kid (Fred Savage), home sick from school, grudgingly allows his grandfather (Peter Falk) to read him a dusty storybook—which is how we meet the innocent Buttercup (Robin Wright, in her breakout role), about to marry the nefarious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) though her heart belongs to Westley (Cary Elwes). The wedding plans are interrupted, however, by a mysterious pirate, a vengeful Spaniard, and a good-natured giant, in a tale full of swashbuckling, romance, and outrageously hilarious spoofery. Directed by Rob Reiner from an endlessly quotable script by William Goldman, The Princess Bride reigns as a fairy-tale classic. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray The Princess Bride? Even if you find the contemporary part of the movie where Peter Falk seduces his eight year old grandson (Fred Savage) into the world of fairy tales a case of interruptus (Fred, does); even if you find Billy Crystal's rendition of Miracle Max a little too much shtick or Carol Kane as his wife a little too shrill; and even if Andre the Giant was yet to meet his match in Hulk Hogan, is this not one of the sweetest, most entertaining 98 minutes on video? I ask you! (Pacé, Ms. Kael.)



I had forgotten that The Princess Bride introduced those of us who don't watch daytime soaps to Robin Wright (in the title role) and gave Cary Elwes (Westley, the farm boy) a shot at having people recognize his name, perhaps even pronouncing it correctly (El-wez). By this time, Rob Reiner had long been something of a household name, not so much as a director, but as "Meathead", Archie Bunker's son-in-law, whom he played from 1971-79. His first stint as a director was in 1984 for the satirical and still iconic rockumentary This is Spinal Tap. His next movie, The Sure Thing, pretty much sealed the fate of the then nineteen-year old John Cusack. Stand By Me would do the same for River Phoenix – for a while anyhow. The following year Reiner made The Princess Bride and two years after that, When Harry Met Sally. After Misery (1990), A Few Good Men (1992), The American President (1995) and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Reiner's output slowed dramatically, but for a remarkable dozen years, he gave us at least six remarkable and popular films. Is it conceivable that there is anyone out there who does not enjoy? Even if you find the contemporary part of the movie where Peter Falk seduces his eight year old grandson (Fred Savage) into the world of fairy tales a case of interruptus (Fred, does); even if you find Billy Crystal's rendition of Miracle Max a little too much shtick or Carol Kane as his wife a little too shrill; and even if Andre the Giant was yet to meet his match in Hulk Hogan, is this not one of the sweetest, most entertaining 98 minutes on video? I ask you! (Pacé, Ms. Kael.)I had forgotten thatintroduced those of us who don't watch daytime soaps to Robin Wright (in the title role) and gave Cary Elwes (Westley, the farm boy) a shot at having people recognize his name, perhaps even pronouncing it correctly (El-wez). By this time, Rob Reiner had long been something of a household name, not so much as a director, but as "Meathead", Archie Bunker's son-in-law, whom he played from 1971-79. His first stint as a director was in 1984 for the satirical and still iconic rockumentary. His next movie, The Sure Thing, pretty much sealed the fate of the then nineteen-year old John Cusack. Stand By Me would do the same for River Phoenix – for a while anyhow. The following year Reiner madeand two years after that,. After(1990),(1992),(1995) and(1996), Reiner's output slowed dramatically, but for a remarkable dozen years, he gave us at least six remarkable and popular films.

The Princess Bride is a tongue-in-cheek, but loving movie of a tongue-in-cheek, but loving book that pretends to be a version of a famous fairy tale by one "S. Morgenstern" (viz., The "Morning Star.") The book and screenplay is by William Goldman, whose previous credits include: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Stepford Wives, All the President's Men, Marathon Man, A Bridge Too Far and Heat.



The Movie: 8

Peter Falk visits his grandson Fred Savage who is sick in his bed at home. To distract him from his aches, pains and video games, and to introduce him to the joys of books and stories Falk reads to him from the book "The Princess Bride." Grandpa says that it was the book his father read to him when he was a boy and that his grandfather read to his father. The grandson is impatient, but little by little he tears himself from his video game, finding himself seduced by forces beyond his control or apprehension.



The story is about a beautiful girl named "Buttercup" (Robin Wright) and a farm boy named Westley (Cary Elwes) and how they fell into True Love. Not having the money to marry, Westley goes off to make his fortune, but his ship is captured by pirates and all hands are presumed lost. Five years later Buttercup finds herself the intended bride of Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) who has political designs beyond his own kingdom. He arranges for Buttercup to be kidnapped and for blame to fall on another kingdom, provoking an excuse for war. But the kidnappers (Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin and Andre the Giant) are themselves chased by a lone pirate, the "Dread Pirate Roberts" who bears a striking resemblance to our own Westley. Puns and other lighthearted low humors abound, along with the swash and the romance.

Image: NOTE : The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.



I've always found video representations of The Princess Bride tough going on a large display. Thin and fuzzy they were. If it weren't for the movie, I would prefer they not take up space on my shelf. The new Blu-ray is an improvement, but not by leaps and bounds. Though no fault of the transfer process I'm reasonably sure, the image is never much better than fair: It is soft and thin, sometimes filtered to the point of fog. Unless lit by a strong light source such as direct sun, skin tones and garments show a fine film grain in place of what little texture remains. Contrast and color rarely "pop", but then the original photographic intention was to ensure that the story would maintain a remote feel. The Criterion is advertised as a "New 4K digital restoration". It establishes a superior image as compared to the Fox with richer colors and deeper black levels. It also shows some very consistent grain texture and it looks fabulous in-motion. The improvement is probably better than the static images indicate here - toggle between the larger captures to see more. I think there is an up-tick in sharpness as well. Very impressive overall. CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM 1 ) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM More Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Captures Audio & Music: 7/8

Clearly the lossless DTS HD-MA mix ensures that The Princess Bride has never sounded this good on video. While most of the material is front-directed (dialogue and most of the music) there are plenty of occasions where the surrounds and effects come into play: Note the screaming eels and the rumbling fire pit. The robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround is the same as offered by the Fox Blu-ray with a brilliant score by Mark Knopfler ("Dire Straits" fame) with Storybook Love, A Happy Ending, Guide My Sword and The Fireswamp & The Rodents Of Unusual Size etc. and a few deft separations. Effects can be deep. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray . Extras: 7

There are several new features here since the DVD dating from 2006. These are all in 480p and include: the half hour "As You Wish" – The Story of The Princess Bride, where Reiner and Goldman talk about how their project came into being, the tone of story where the fairy tale theme of True Love would be placed front and center. They also talked about how they went about casting of relative unknowns in the leading roles, especially wanting to echo the swash and buckle of Douglas Fairbanks. "The Dread Pirate Roberts" crosses back and forth over the line between historical fact and satire (more droll than dread.) Miraculous Makeup details the conversion of Billy Crystal into Miracle Max. In between sword fighting lesson, Cary Elwes' Video Diary remembers what Andre the Giant had to endure as a boy when his size became the object of derision. Finally, "Love is Like a Storybook" looks at the history of the fairy tale from its beginnings as an oral art form in the Middles Ages. What is most important to note here is that fairly tales, even in written form, are meant to be read, and read aloud to children. Other features are common to both the Blu-ray and the accompanying new DVD: The Audio Commentary by Reiner & Goldman, and "Fairy Tales & Folklore," which explores why and how fairy tales have the hold on us that they do, and how The Princess Bride fits into the genre (an interesting segment, I thought). In "The Art of Fencing" we see how the actors learned how to wield a sword reasonably convincingly and how Cary and Mandy learned how to do it bi-laterally. "Untold Tales" is a retrospective look at the impact of the movie on both the actors and audiences in general. Criterion include extensive supplements including many found on the Fox VD release, duplicating the audio commentary from 1996 - actually produced by Criterion for their Laserdisc - featuring director Rob Reiner, screenwriter William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman, and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk plus the edited 1987 Dove Entertainment's audio book reading of Goldman’s novel The Princess Bride by Reiner, the three programs about makeup (11:22), fencing (7:08), and fairy tales (9:16), On-set video diary filmed and narrated by Elwes, also five behind-the-scenes videos with commentaries from 1996 by Reiner, Scheinman, and Crystal, archival interviews with Reiner, Goldman, and actors Crystal, Cary Elwes, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Fred Savage, and Robin Wright. It was a pleasure to see the new are a 17-minute program about Goldman’s screenplay with Loren-Paul Caplin addressing the scrip as s guide to William Goldman's craftsmanship. There is also a brief 6.5-minute video piece about Goldman’s tapestry that he had made based on his novel with various scenes also found in the film. There is a new interview with art director Richard Holland delving into efforts required to conjure up the fantasy world of The Princess Bride. It runs a dozen minutes. There are 2 trailers and 4 TV Spots plus there is a liner notes booklet with an essay by author Sloane Crosley and, for this Blu-ray edition, Goldman’s introduction to his Princess Bride script from his collection plus there are four Screenplays, in a lavishly illustrated, clothbound book (see image above.) 20th Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Bottom line: 8

I don't imagine that The Princess Bride is going to look much better than on this Blu-ray, which is a bit of a shame, really. The audio is fine and the new extra features have a couple of items worth the effort. But the main thing is that fans of the movie are going to want to best there is. That would be this Blu-ray for the foreseeable future I imagine. Well, 9-years later - it looks like Leonard was wrong - this 4K restoration does indeed advance upon the image quality of the original Fox Blu-ray . It wins handily in image and extras, audio is a draw but the Criterion package is unmatched and gives this film the honored package that it has always deserved. It remains a lovable masterpiece. Our highest recommendation! Leonard Norwitz

April 1st, 2009 Gary Tooze September 13th, 2018 Reissued January 4th, 2011 at a cheaper price!: