The Princess Bride – Criterion UHD Blu-ray Review

The son of actor/writer/director Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner followed in his father’s footsteps in show business; after getting his start as a writer in TV for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, he first attracted widespread attention for playing Archie Bunker’s son-in-law Michael Stivic in All in the Family (1971-1979). By the 1980’s, he also added the title director to his resume – just like his dad did – starting with the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap (1984), but he would achieve his most enduring accomplishment with an adaptation of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. Released on DVD and Blu-ray several times by MGM and given a Criterion edition in 2018 (HTF’s Matt Hough reviewed that release here), Criterion has revisited the movie again for a brand new UHD Blu-ray release.

The Production: 5/5

“As you wish.”

While home sick, a young boy (Fred Savage) listens to his grandfather (Peter Falk) read to him S. Morgenstern’s classic book The Princess Bride. In the story, farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) is in love with Buttercup (Robin Wright), the most beautiful young woman in the land of Florian; when Westley leaves to seek a fortune so he can marry his love, he is presumed dead following an attack at sea by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Five years later, a heartbroken Buttercup is unwillingly engaged to Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon); unbeknownst to her, Humperdinck plans to use the marriage as a ploy to kill her and blame the neighboring country of Guilder as an excuse to start a war. However, a mysterious man in black, a fencing master (Mandy Patinkin) looking to avenge his father’s death and a giant named Fezzik (Andre the Giant) will throw a wrench in those plans, especially since the “man in black” is someone very close to Buttercup and will make her dream of true love come true.

One of the greatest comedies of all time, The Princess Bride is one of those rare movies that have transcended the medium and has become embedded in our popular culture. William Goldman’s novel – which he also adapted here – had been attempted by Hollywood since the 1970’s, but until Rob Reiner took the reins, no one had been able to successfully launch the project; however, the wait proved to be worth it, as Reiner clearly has a handle on Goldman’s blending of fantasy, romance and comedic elements in the story while also keeping the metaphysical narrative intact. The movies also the pluses of cinematographer Adrian Biddle and the production design team of Norman Garwood and Richard Holland to bring the book’s fairytale look to life; Mark Knopfler – best known as the frontman for the rock ‘n’ roll band Dire Straits – also contributes to the atmosphere with an intoxicating music score befitting of the movie. Best of all, Reiner gets pitch perfect performances from the cast and the pacing never feels forced or lagging. All in all, The Princess Bride is one of those few movies that can truly be considered perfect and can still make people laugh more than 35 years later.

Chosen for the part of Westley after Reiner took notice of him in Lady Jane (1986), Cary Elwes was given one of his best known and loved roles here; though this would be his only collaboration with Reiner, he would work with another comedy legend – Mel Brooks – with the portrayal of the eponymous legend in the spoof Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). With just her second film appearance here, Robin Wright achieved her breakthrough film role as Buttercup; greater success and notice awaited her in both film and TV with Forrest Gump (1994), House of Cards (2013-2018) and Wonder Woman (2017). After establishing himself on both stage and screen, Mandy Patinkin got what is by far his most notable and beloved film role as master swordsman Inigo Montoya (“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”); he would later become known for roles in two popular TV series: Criminal Minds (2005-2007; departing after the third season) and Homeland (2011-2020). Rounding out the cast here are Chris Sarandon as the treacherous Prince Humperdinck, Christopher Guest as the six-fingered Count Rugen, Andre the Giant as Fezzik, Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, Billy Crystal as the folk healer Miracle Max, Carol Kane as Max’s wife Valerie, Peter Cook as the Impressive Clergyman, Mel Smith as the albino in the Pit of Despair, Willoughby Gray as the ancient king, Fred Savage as the grandson, Betsy Brantley as the mother and Peter Falk (Columbo himself) as the grandfather who reads the story of Westley and Buttercup to his grandson.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

The film is presented in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new HDR/Dolby Vision transfer created for this release; the UHD Blu-ray disc presents the film in HDR while the accompanying Blu-ray disc presents the film in SDR. Film grain, color palette and fine details are all presented faithfully with minor cases of scratches, dirt and tears present on the transfer. This release builds upon the already solid Criterion Blu-ray and is likely the best the movie will ever look on home video.

Audio: 5/5

The film’s soundtrack is presented on a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio track for this release. Dialogue, sound mix and Mark Knopfler’s music score are all presented faithfully with minor cases of distortion, crackling, popping and hissing present. Overall, this release is still likely the best the movie will ever sound on home video.

Special Features: 5/5

On both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs

1997 Commentary by director Rob Reiner, writer William Goldman, producer Andrew Scheinman and actors Billy Crystal and Peter Falk – Originally recorded for the Criterion Laserdisc release, Reiner, Goldman, Scheinman, Crystal and Falk share their memories of the film ten years after its initial theatrical release.

Audio excerpts of the 1987 audiobook of The Princess Bride, narrated by Reiner – Carried over from the 2018 Criterion Blu-ray, Reiner introduces the audiobook, edited to fit the runtime of the movie and playable as an alternate Dolby Digital 1.0 audio track.

On Blu-ray disc only

Pure Enchantment (17:17) – Professor Loren-Paul Caplin looks and dissects William Goldman’s script for the movie in this featurette carried over from the 2018 Criterion Blu-ray.

Fairy-Tale Reality (11:54) – Art director Richard Holland talks about the film’s set design that he worked on with production designer Norman Garwood in this archival featurette from the previous Criterion Blu-ray.

The Princess Bride Tapestry (6:26) – Goldman shows off the tapestry inspired by the movie and features the moments incorporated in this brief featurette from the previous Criterion Blu-ray.

As You Wish: The Making of The Princess Bride (27:18) – Originally produced for MGM’s 2001 Special Edition DVD, a retrospective look back at the making of the movie; featuring interviews with Reiner, Goldman and actors Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Chris Sarandon, Mandy Patinkin, Fred Savage and Christopher Guest.

The Art of Fencing (7:08) – Weapons master Robert Goodwin looks at the work of Bob Anderson on the film regarding the sword fighting sequences in this archival featurette from MGM’s 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD in 2007.

Fairy Tales & Folklore (9:16) – Sarandon, Savage, Wright and Jack Zipes look at the enduring qualities of fairy tales and tales of folklore – much like the movie itself – in this archival featurette from the 2007 MGM DVD.

Miraculous Makeup (11:22) – Makeup artist Peter Montagna and Billy Crystal look at how the makeup for Crystal’s character of Miracle Max was created in this featurette from the 2007 MGM DVD.

The Untold Stories (9:07) – Guest, Sarandon, Savage and Wright share their favorite memories of working on the movie in this featurette carried over from the previous 2012 MGM Blu-ray.

True Love (14:59) – Reiner, Elwes and Wright reflect on the movie in this 25th anniversary reunion featurette carried over from the MGM Blu-ray.

Cary Elwes’ Video Diary, narrated by Elwes and Robin Wright (3:56)

Behind-the-Scenes Videos – Five videos detailing the work on some scenes from the movie – involving a chase on the high seas (3:52), Vizzini (4:48), Westley (4:38), Miracle Max (2:32) and Buttercup (2:34) – are presented here, with optional commentaries on each by Reiner, Crystal and Scheinman.

U.S. Theatrical Trailer (2:16)

International Trailer (2:19)

4 TV Spots (1:02), (0:32), (0:32) and (0:32)

Clothbound illustrated book feat. an essay by author Sloane Crosby and Goldman’s introduction to his script

Overall: 5/5

Though a modest success at the box office, The Princess Bride was an instant smash with audiences and critics, ensuring the movie’s long life as a classic and part of our popular culture. Criterion has stepped up to the plate with their latest release of the movie, carrying over all the special features from their Blu-ray release while providing the film with a stellar HDR transfer on the UHD Blu-ray. Very highly recommended and absolutely worth getting if you don’t already have it in your collection.

This review is dedicated to the memory of Norman Lear, who was the film’s executive producer.

The Princess Bride (The Criterion Collection) [4K …

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Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.