5 years ago, Rob Reiner’s most beloved fantasy turned into an unexpected miniseries

Rob Reiner was a creator who had his finger on the pulse of what the public valued. He was a versatile director, not limited to any particular genre. His career includes many hits and, above all, many classics that have stood the test of time. The Princess Bride remains one of his best, bringing together the talent and alchemy of Cary Elwes And Robin Wright like the iconic Wesley and Princess Buttercup. The fantasy story follows lovers who are tragically separated after finding each other. When Wesley’s (Elwes) ship is attacked by pirates, Buttercup (Wright) swears to never love again. The years pass, and she agrees to marry the vile Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) only for the love of his life to return. Full of romance, revenge and ROUS, the film was a crossover hit.
The Princess Bride became an instant classic and a heartwarming film for many. That’s why it was natural, during the pandemic lockdown, to allow people to feel like themselves again. Celebrities including – but not limited to – Chris Pine, Diego Luna, JK Simmons, Pedro Pascaland Reiner himself, filmed themselves at home acting out various scenes from The Princess Bride. Titled The Princess Bride: amateur filmthe film was put together to tell the whole story, and all proceeds were donated to World Central Kitchen. Hilarious and heartwarming, this pop culture touchstone was a source of comfort to many when they needed it most.
“The Princess Bride: Home Movie” adopted its DIY tone
In 2020, everyone needed a good laugh, and Hollywood stars were ready to deliver. The lockdown has made it impossible to interact in person, so many celebrities have filmed themselves at home acting out different scenes from The Princess Bride. It wasn’t about recreating a classic but about revisiting a story that everyone knows and telling it for everyone’s enjoyment. The production embraced the idea of an amateur film, as the costumes and set decoration all came from what the actors had on hand.
The only actors who interacted with each other were family members or those who were quarantined together. This led to many creative solutions that made the home film even more enjoyable than the original in various ways. Scenes like Buttercup in eel-infested waters were filmed with Mackenzie Davis in your own swimming pool at home. Makeshift wigs and costumes were used, made even more hilarious as the characters returned, played by different actors. Large action sequences like those on horseback were projected via LEGOS. The final production came together in a way that wasn’t seamless but added to its charm. The mix of scenes thrown together captured what made the original so heartfelt, and it was wholesome fun that everyone could watch on YouTube.
‘The Princess Bride’ never needed any frills
There’s a reason why the Rob Reiner quote The Princess Bride won the hearts and minds of audiences, and it wasn’t a huge budget. Although there were beautiful sets and fight choreography, the story was the main draw of the film. It was a romantic, fantasy film that refused to be jaded by real life. Wesley believed in the power of true love and that it would not be defeated, even by death. He triumphed over death twice to return to his love, regardless of the difficulties.
The story of revenge in The Princess Bride was just as powerful. Iñigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) waged a lifelong vendetta against the six-fingered man who killed his father. Montoya takes his revenge in a moment of triumph so that he can honor his late father. The Princess Bride doesn’t adhere to any specific genre but has something for everyone, that’s also why Home movie It was such a delight. He didn’t need the big budget of a Reiner film but the magic of a good story. The heart of The Princess Bride stayed in a homemade version that didn’t try to stray away from the makeshift aesthetic. Both are now a pop culture brand and a representation of Reiner’s great legacy.
- Release date
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September 25, 1987
- Runtime
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99 minutes
- Writers
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William Goldman




