The Great Family Film Poll: The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride. Photo / File

Never has there been a greater collision of fairytales, swashbuckling action-adventure, and comedy in one film than The Princess Bride. There really is something for everyone in this hilarious masterpiece from Rob Reiner (who also directed This Is Spinal Tap). There's a beautiful young girl named Buttercup in line to become a princess, a Sicilian crime boss, a Spanish fencing master, a kind of wizard called Miracle Max, pirates, giants, "rodents of unusual size", locations such as the "fire swamp", "pit of despair" and "cliffs of insanity". And of course a masked man in black, who may or may not be out to save the princess, and may or may not really be a farmhand called Westley.

As a kid, it all seemed simply like jolly good entertainment, but it was only when I rediscovered the film in my university years that I realised just how bonkersly brilliant the whole tale was.

Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Carey Elwes) might not actually be that interesting, but when you've got Billy Crystal and Mandy Patinkin involved, there are laughs guaranteed.

Patinkin's frequently rehearsed revenge mantra "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." remains one of my favourite cinematic lines, and Crystal's "Inconceivable!" exclamation became a catchphrase during my flatting years.

The fact that Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler composed the soundtrack only makes this gently mocking, post-modern fairytale even more brilliant, and the overt goofs and stunt mistakes in the filming (there's all sorts of visible equipment during the duel on top of the Cliffs of Insanity) are a joy for trainspotters.

I haven't yet actually watched the film with a new generation of kids, but given its timeless storyline, effortless comedy, and impressive costuming, I'm sure they'd find as much joy in it as I do.