Summary: From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.
Library Journal Reviews
Through personal anecdotes and interviews with fellow cast and crew members, actor Elwes tracks the journey of 1987's The Princess Bride from director Rob Reiner's initial bid through its production and up to the film's 25th anniversary. Elwes's attempt at a conversational narrative feels clunky at times, often getting bogged down in figures, actor résumés, and even a plot summary of the film—the last of which is certainly unnecessary for the dedicated fan base that will be reading this memoir. However, the complete and unabashed adoration that the author and the cast have for the cult classic shines in stories about the famous sword fight between Elwes as Westley and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, the many takes ruined by uncontrollable laughter during Billy Crystal's time on the set performing as Miracle Max, and the fond reminiscences of the late André the Giant. VERDICT While the writing is occasionally uneven and amateur, those eager to get their hands on anything Princess Bride can still find delight in this behind-the-scenes look and will be running to break out their DVDs for another movie viewing. [See "Books for the Masses," Editors' BEA Picks, LJ 7/14, p. 29.]—Kate DiGirolomo, Library Journal
Check Availability
