The Princess Bride (PG, 1987)

common sense media says

Witty, winsome fairy tale for the whole family.


parents & educators say
  • 36% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this quirky, funny fairy tale has quite a bit of action-style violence, including a torture machine, sword fights (one to the death), a death by poisoning, quicksand, fire pits, and ROUSes (rodents of unusual size) and giant shrieking eels that attack main characters. But the movie's skewed humor and its storybook feel lessen some of the impact of the violent scenes. There's also some drinking -- in one scene a drunken character is revived in a barrel of water -- and a bit of kissing.

Educational value: The movie is intended to entertain rather than educate.
Positive messages: Despite some manipulation and betrayal along the way, overall the movie's message is about the triumph of true love and the importance of loyalty, friendship, and family.
Positive role models: Characters prize true love and generally hold fast to their ideals where it's concerned. Some characters compromise their beliefs in the pursuit of their goals, but they don't win out in the end. Inigo is driven almost solely by a powerful quest for vengeance, but he has strong reasons. The grandfather and grandson have a touching relationship.
Violence & scariness: Action-style violence includes a torture machine, sword fights (one to the death), a death by poisoning, quicksand, fire pits, shrieking eels, and menacing ROUSes (rodents of unusual size).
Sexy stuff: A few kisses, most notably a very sweet storybook kiss. One reference to Buttercup's "perfect breasts."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Inigo has a drinking problem (he's shown inebriated), and Fezzik nurses him back to health. Other characters sometimes drink from goblets of wine.

More on The Princess Bride

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about what makes for a really good adventure/love story. Is it sword fights? Scary creatures? Handsome leading men and ladies?

  • How does this movie poke fun at some of the standard fairy tale elements?

  • In the end, why didn't the sick boy mind the kissing scene as much as he thought he would?

What's the story?

What's the story?

The most beautiful woman in the world, Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn), gets engaged to the cruel Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) after she hears that her true love, Westley, was killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts. But before the wedding, she's kidnapped by a huge man with enormous strength (Andre the Giant), a master swordsman (Mandy Patinkin), and an evil genius (Wallace Shawn). A mysterious masked man (Cary Elwes) must defeat them all, and then escape with Buttercup through the treacherous Fire Swamp. When they're both captured by the prince and his six-fingered henchman, Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), they discover that not even death can get in the way of true love.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

THE PRINCESS BRIDE is stuffed full of every element of a classic romantic adventure -- princes, villains and evil geniuses, giants and giant creatures, sword fights, revenge, kidnapping, and a rescue on white horses -- and it coats them all in delicious humor.

This witty modern fairy tale by William Goldman (screenwriter of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men) is resoundingly satisfying. Goldman's book is even better -- and lots of fun to read aloud (though the book's asides are more for adult readers). The motley cast of storybook characters is consistently hilarious, right down to the bit parts featuring the likes of Carol Kane and Billy Crystal as a bickering old witch and wizard, and Peter Cook as the Impressive Clergyman.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright Penn
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: September 25, 1987
DVD release: September 4, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 59 parent & educator reviews:
  • 36% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

shelznh
adult
 
Classic movie but not as clean as CSM claims
I love this movie and always have. However I am not sure how Common Sense Media can say that language is not an issue. There are two expletives son of a b---- and, even worse is when the boy utters Jesus' name in a profane way. The torture scene is a little extreme in my opinion. Also there is a tad more than "just kissing" as far as sexy stuff goes including when Wesley refers to Buttercup's "perfect breasts". It is still a classic movie but I must say that I prefer the movie reviews at Plugged In Online as they seem to be much more acurate.

Goddess Fan- Fae
kid, 11 years old
 
Good for Kids.
I thought this movie was really good. There is a lot of violence, killing and gruesome things. Other than that it is fine. One b-word.

cheerleader246 ...
kid, 12 years old
 
wow romance
i love this movie it's romantic,funny,and adventurous.i recommend this movie to people who have seen lots of romantic movies.

deann22666
parent of and 6 , 11 , 14 , 16 year old
 
over all a great movie for the family. Nothing that major to mess up the movie.

 
Everyone has to see this movie.
There's some violence, but nothing to get worked up about. I simply love this movie. It's cute, and I watch it with my kids over and over. Good triumphs over evil, true love prevails, and everyone's happy.

FooZirc
kid, 12 years old
 
love it!!!!!!
This is one of my favorite movies!!!!!!!!

 
Practically Perfect in Every Way...Practically
I really, really, really love this movie! My wife, my child and myself just watched the blu ray version, which we got today, and it was just as enjoyable as ever. I recommend this movie to any seeking truly family friendly entertainment, with only a couple of concerns. Those being as follows: The" R.O.U.S.es" might be enough to frighten very young children. The torture of Westley is pretty intense. The battle between the Spaniard and his nemesis, the Duke, has quite a lot of very realistic blood. There are a very few deaths, but those are not graphic and, at least one, happens in a, yes, hilarious manner. Also, Westley does make one remark about Buttercup's "perfect breasts." Still, even this is done in a somewhat delicate manner which is more affectionate than sensual. Furthermore, the grandson becomes really stressed with his grandfather on a couple of occassions over what is taking place in the book, even to the point of being rude, but never apologizes to his grandfather. One time, he is so upset he exclaims, "Jesus!" Which, in this otherwise nearly perfect movie, is even more out of place. This move I'll recommend for eight and above. Still, my daughter saw it at five or six. I was there with her to cover her eyes at any "bad parts." (i.e. blood, R.O.U.S.es, or kissing, etc. ) That being said, if you do the same, I think it would be fine for even younger children. Yes, we reccommend this movie and consider it a classic in our home. It's just too bad that we can't yet buy a blu ray player with TV Guardian. It's just too bad that we can't always separate the baby from the bathwater.

 
One of my favorites, but it depends on the kid
I have always loved this movie; I can't remember a time when I didn't. When I was a kid, I had a self-imposed tradition of watching it on Christmas Day in the afternoon when I was bored. Recently my stepdaughter (6.75 at the time) was sick in bed and my husband and I decided we'd watch it with her. What a mistake! I hope we didn't ruin it for her forever. I always thought, "what's not to like?" but she's not really used to movies with almost constant fighting, a lot of witty (but often fast-paced and subtle) dialog, and very little overt physical comedy. Most of the jokes went over her head, and she proclaimed it to be "scary" and "boring". The sort of magical parts (Miracle Max, Westley's return) aren't the fantastic and wondrous "Disney-style" magic, either. All in all, a great movie in my opinion, but not really for kids under 8 or 9 unless they have a decent sense of nuance.

Mattmchugh
parent of 8 and 10 year old
 
Wonderful for all ages, though not saccharine
In an interview, director Rob Reiner referred to this movie as "The Wizard of Oz of our generation." That's incredibly egotistical. And arguably an understatement. The wit, warmth and wisdom of this film is genius through-and-through. Every performance is perfect and every line a gem. It's not a kiddie movie, but young children can appreciate it as readily as adults. Not to say they won't be scared at some points, but that's real life. Like the grandfather in the movie says, it's got fighting, war, torture, danger, escapes, and true love. It's just like real life. Only much, much better.

Macey08
teen, 17 years old
 
Funny and adorable
I love this movie!! Old, but a classic. There is one scary scene with a torture machine and another with a giant rat. But the other violence is alright. This movie has some great lines and is sooo funny! My mum and uncle love to quote bits of this to each other. Nice story of true love and planning...

MissE1000
teen, 16 years old
 
Inconceivable!
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare for one of THE BEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME!!!!

Trebuchet
parent of 6 year old
 
A wonderful movie, which can be watched over and over again
This is one of my favorite books, and the movie was a very good adaptation. I've probably watched it a dozen times. I even watched it with my 6-year-old (after some careful discussions about the story) and we took it in little pieces. She handled it fine, but generally I'd show it to an 8-year-old, not 6. If you like the movie, give the book a try, but hold off until they are 10 or 11. The author's commentary, which is fictional but sounds real, has a lot of stuff about infidelity, unhappy marriages, and disdain for one's own child. None of that is in the movie, though.

 
One of my absolute favorites
When I think of my all time favorite movies, this is always near the top of the list. Probably the best script ever written. Most of it will go over young children's heads, but the smart ones will love it.

hippy123
kid, 10 years old
 
good for kids 9 and up
Yeah, I think language should be an issue because Inigo Montoya says "you son of a b**ch". But overall, the movie was HILARIOUS and good.

Emmas Dad
parent of 3 and 6 year old
 
Means well, some iffy content.
The movie uses the name of Jesus in vain (especially offensive since it is a child who says it). The B-word is also used once. A TV guardian may take care of that. One man goes on a drinking binge. There is a torture scene that leaves the main character presumed dead. The movie means well but treats life and death very lightly.

wiganopoly
teen, 17 years old
 
Perfect for everyone!
This movie is great! I grew up watching it and it has entertained me all the way. Great movie for the family.

katybugp
teen, 13 years old
 
Awesome movie for 10 and up!
I LOVE this movie, but the b-word and the blood from both Indigo and Wesley's wounds make it good for 10 and up. Every one should see it, but use your own judgement about when your child should see it.

emmybaldwin
parent of 7 year old
 
the rating is correct better for 8+
i love this movie so much!! but the torture scene is definitely something to fast forward through--i don't even like watching it-- and depending on your kid, the shrieking eel and rodents can be scary.

mngirl
teen, 14 years old
 
BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was FABULOUS!!! The best movie ever created!!!!! I adored it!!! Not only was it hilarious, it had a positive message too! Besides getting revenge. They rated correct- it deserves five stars. My favorite line is, "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!" And... "Think it'll work?" "It'd take a miracle." "Mawwwwwariage, mawwwwwwagriage is what brings us together today." I loved this movie! It was funny, I laughed (a lot) I cried, it moved me Bob. Ha ha! This movie was epic. Good luck trying to find a better movie than this! My favorite character is WESTLY!!! It's such a good movie!!!!!!!!!

fluffy llama
teen, 13 years old
 
Amazing family movie, but i would watch it before your kids depending on how much violence they can take
Unless your kids get really scared during blood or scary animals, this movie is a perfect movie. My brother, sister, and i love to watch it on road trips. this movie is a hilarious classic that is easy to quote, fun to act out, and a great family movie (trust me... i've done all of those things-and yes, i do love "princess bride" THAT much)

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