12 Inconceivable Facts That Prove That 'The Princess Bride' Isn't Just Another 'Kissing Book'
Released in 1987, The Princess Bride is an absolutely classic family movie with something for just about everybody. As the grandfather in the opening scene says, it has "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, [and] miracles."
The story of the tumultuous romance between Princess Buttercup and Westley is one of the all-time greats. However, even if you love it as much as we do, we're willing to bet you probably don't know these 12 facts about the movie.
When asked what he liked best about making the movie, Andre the Giant said "Nobody looks at me."
He was so used to being stared at, he loved that all the cast and staff treated him like an equal.
Robin Wright would get very cold on set, so Andre the Giant would hold his hands overtop of her head to keep her warm.
His hands were so big he could shield her from the rain and cold.
Mandy Patinkin really meant it when he said "I want my father back, you son of a b****."
His real-life father had recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and Patinkin felt like he was dueling with cancer itself when he fought Christopher Guest.
When Count Rugen hits Westley on the head, Cary Elwes told Christopher Guest to hit him for real. The hit sent him to the hospital for a day.
Production shut down for an entire day while Elwes got checked out. Apparently having six fingers gives you a lot of strength.
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright were actually smitten with each other while filming.
Elwes has said "I couldn't concentrate on much of anything after that first encounter with Robin." The pair also kept coming up with excuses to do more takes of their horseback kiss at the end of the movie.
The facts just get crazier from here...
When the movie was pitched in the 70s, a then-unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered to play Fezzik, as Andre the Giant was too expensive.
When it was finally filmed in 1987, Schwarzenegger was too expensive, but Andre was totally affordable now.
Billy Crystal was so funny it made production legitimately difficult.
Mandy Patinkin nearly cracked a rib from stifling his laughter during their scenes together, while director Rob Reiner had to leave the set because he would laugh so hard he'd feel sick.
Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin spent all their free time on set rehearsing for the sword duel.
They worked with professional sword teachers Peter Diamond and Bob Anderson, who have not only participated in the Olympics, but also did sword teaching for Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Lord of the Rings.
Director Rob Reiner hired Elwes due to what he called the actor's "Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks quality."
Both actors played Robin Hood, and Elwes went on to parody both in Robin Hood: Men In Tights.
The names that Westley and Inigo refer to during their duel are all real fencing techniques named after their founders.
Bonetti, Capo Ferra, Thibault and Agrippa are all legitimate.
Plenty of famous names auditioned for the movie, including Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman.
Neeson auditioned for the role of Fezzik, and was apparently scoffed at for being "only 6'4"," while Thurman auditioned to be Buttercup, but was told she was "too exotic-looking."
The grandson (played by Fred Savage) makes a grossed-out comment about every kissing scene... except one.
It's the one where Buttercup finds Westley on the bed, and then jumps on top of him and kisses him. Looks like puberty started to happen.