Press Release Criterion Press Release: The Princess Bride (1987) (4k UHD Combo) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

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 Bridereigns as a fairy-tale classic.

FILM INFO​

• United States
• 1987
• 98 minutes
• Color
• 1.85:1
• English
• Spine #948

4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

• 4K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Audio commentary featuring director Rob Reiner, screenwriter William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman, and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk
• Edited audiobook reading of Goldman’s novel The Princess Bride by Reiner
• Program about Goldman’s screenplay
• Program about Goldman’s tapestry based on his novel
• Interviews with Reiner, Goldman, and actors Crystal, Cary Elwes, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Fred Savage, and Robin Wright
• Interview with art director Richard Holland
• Programs about makeup, fencing, and fairy tales
• On-set video diary filmed and narrated by Elwes
• Five behind-the-scenes videos with commentaries by Reiner, Scheinman, and Crystal
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by author Sloane Crosley and Goldman’s introduction to his Princess Bride script from his collection Four Screenplays, in a lavishly illustrated, clothbound book
  
  Cover by Angela Rizza
  
  September 5, 2023

 

[Ronald Epstein]

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See on Amazon

 

[battlebeast]

It went oop?

 

[Lord Dalek]

It went oop?

No. Its being reissued with a UHD disc.

 

[titch]

I have the German Turbine Media 4K UHD and the quality is reference-level:

Princess Bride, The (German Import) (4K UHD Review)

Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride is a classic tale of adventure, bravery, revenge, and the power of true love. It’s the story of Buttercup (Robin Wright), a common but beautiful girl who falls in love with a stable boy named Westley (Cary Elwes). Westley knows in his heart that their love is...

thedigitalbits.com

I've had the Criterion versions since they published it on LaserDisc and I won't mind trading in the German 4k UHD for this.

 

[jayembee]

I have the German Turbine Media 4K UHD and the quality is reference-level:

Same here.

 

[DarkVader]

Criterion keeps outdoing itself with its ugly covers. Just when you think they can't do any worse...they do.

 

[JoshZ]

Criterion keeps outdoing itself with its ugly covers. Just when you think they can't do any worse...they do.

Same cover as the Blu-ray.

 

[Konstantinos]

I love 80s adventure/fantasy films, but I've never warmed up to this film.
Pity, I really wanted to love it, because I see it's very highly regarded among film fans.

 

[Konstantinos]

Criterion keeps outdoing itself with its ugly covers. Just when you think they can't do any worse...they do.

On the contrary, I love the cover.

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

I watched this in Dolby Vision on iTunes and it's a terrific transfer. This should be a great disc.

 

[jayembee]

Criterion keeps outdoing itself with its ugly covers. Just when you think they can't do any worse...they do.

I love it. It resembles a fairy take book, which is appropriate to the film.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

There was a minor flaw in the Criterion Blu-ray release that I noted at the time in my review. I wonder if that will be corrected for this UHD release:

During one scene around 26:34, there is a medium shot with Fezzik speaking to Westley, and when he speaks, there is a slight video stutter that can be seen in some of the frames.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I love 80s adventure/fantasy films, but I've never warmed up to this film.
Pity, I really wanted to love it, because I see it's very highly regarded among film fans.

I agree. I never got into this film.

 

[ahollis]

I agree. I never got into this film.

I didn't either.

 

[jayembee]

I love 80s adventure/fantasy films, but I've never warmed up to this film.
Pity, I really wanted to love it, because I see it's very highly regarded among film fans.

I agree. I never got into this film.

I didn't either.

Inconceivable!

 

[mark brown]

Forget it!

 

[Worth]

Love this one, but I already have the Criterion blu, the 4K iTunes digital and the German UHD disc, so no need to go to the well once more.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I'll bite on this one, but I'm wondering if/when this will make its way to Disney+ with a 4K UHD master [remember, StudioCanal holds the video rights, but Disney, via its acquisition of 21st Century-Fox retains broadcast and theatrical rights]. It is a personal favourite and eminently quotable.

 

[Worth]

I'll bite on this one, but I'm wondering if/when this will make its way to Disney+ with a 4K UHD master [remember, StudioCanal holds the video rights, but Disney, via its acquisition of 21st Century-Fox retains broadcast and theatrical rights]...

The streaming rights are confusing for this one. Disney has it on their service, but it’s an MGM title on iTunes.