'The Princess Bride' turns 25

This year marks the silver anniversary of Rob Reiner’s delightful fairy tale The Princess Bride.

The film, written by William Goldman, begins with a man (played by Peter Falk) reading the title story to his ill grandson (Fred Savage).

The story itself concerns farm boy Westley (Cary Elwes) who finds true love with Buttercup (Robin Wright). That love helps them make it through the trouble given to them by such characters as Vazzini (Wallace Shawn), Count Rugen (Christopher Guest) and Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), who wants to marry Buttercup.

Fortunately, the lovebirds are later assisted by swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and the gentle giant Fessik (Andre the Giant).

One of the many reasons this film works is because of the charm it displays. But, happily, that charm does not become so overwhelming that it draws the viewer out of the proceedings like, say, the Shrek films later would.

Bride also gave us such classic lines such as:

“As you wish.”

“Inconceivable.”

And, of course:

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!” (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen that on bumper stickers).

A new Blu-ray of the movie will be released Oct. 2.