17 Kinda Wild Facts About Making "The Princess Bride" That Shed A Whole New Light On The Movie

Audrey Engvalson

22 November 2024 at 8:31 am·4-min read

Lately, I've been going down rabbit holes about my favorite movies, and it's led me to some pretty interesting facts. One movie I love is The Princess Bride, and it's not just because I've had a crush on Westley forever; it's also just the quintessential love story. Here are 17 wild, excellent, and interesting facts I learned about the making of the movie.

A young man with blonde hair smiles slightly, saying "As you wish" in a scene from a movie — 20th Century Fox / Via gifer.com

1.When Count Rugen hits Westley over the head, Cary Elwes asked Christopher Guest to hit him for real. Guest hit him so hard that Elwes was knocked unconscious and had to go to the hospital, shutting down production for a day.

A scene from a medieval-themed film with a man being hit by a large object, surrounded by people in chainmail and armor — 20th Century Fox

2.Director Rob Reiner kept ruining takes of Billy Crystal's scenes because Crystal's performance would make him laugh so hard.

Group of characters in medieval attire gathered around a man lying on a table, possibly in a scene from a fantasy or adventure film — 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

3.Mandy Patinkin had recently lost his father to cancer when he started filming and has said when he said, "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," that he felt like he was talking to cancer. Patinkin said, "The minute I read the script, I knew, I said to [my wife], I said, 'I'm going to do this part because in my mind if I get the six-fingered guy, that means I killed the cancer that killed my dad, and I'll get to visit my dad."

20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

4.André the Giant's back problems prevented him from actually being able to lift anything heavy. Robin Wright had to be put on wires when she jumped from the castle, and Fezzik caught her in the movie.

A man with curly hair smiles, carrying a woman in a lace gown and tiara, both appearing joyful — 20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

5.Dread Pirate Roberts was a real person. Bartholomew Roberts was a Welsh pirate active in the Caribbean in the 18th century.

Illustration depicting the death of pirate Captain Roberts on a ship deck during a battle, with two men in period clothing and a cannon in the background — Duncan1890 / Getty Images

6.Mel Smith had to wear contacts for his role as The Albino, but unbeknownst to him (and the makeup department), he was allergic to the lens solution. He was in extreme eye pain throughout filming.

A scene from a film with a person in a medieval lab tending to another lying on a table, surrounded by candles and equipment — 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

7.Max and Valerie (Billy Crystal and Carol Kane) are named after William Goldman's parents. William Goldman wrote The Princess Bride.

Two elderly people with long, wild hair smile warmly. They wear rustic, textured clothes, evoking a whimsical, fantasy-like appearance — 20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

8.William Goldman also wrote the screenplay for the movie, taking the best parts of his book and paring the 493-page book into a 98-minute movie.

Hands holding a copy of "The Princess Bride" book by William Goldman in front of a bookshelf — The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

9.William Goldman said Carrie Fisher was the ideal choice for Buttercup, but Robin Wright ultimately won the role.

Smiling woman with long hair, wearing a sleeveless top, against a marbled background — Aaron Rapoport / Getty Images

10.Uma Thurman, Courteney Cox, and Meg Ryan all auditioned for Buttercup before Robin was cast.

Person with long hair, wearing a dark top and necklace, poses with a relaxed expression

Person with long hair in profile, wearing a textured top; expression is thoughtful and focused

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, 20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

11.The movie's score is only made from guitars and synthesizers.

12.According to Cary Elwes, one time, production was ground to a halt after a 16-second fart from André the Giant. Rob Reiner asked, "André, are you OK?" To which André responded, "I am now, boss."

Three actors in costume from a medieval-themed movie, posing with arms around each other's shoulders, smiling in front of a floral backdrop — 20thcentfox / 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection

13.Bob Anderson, the swordmaster for the movie, was an Olympian who also worked as the swordmaster for The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings.

Person in period attire holds sword forward, trees in the background, evoking a dramatic, determined stance — 20thcentfox / 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection

14.Wallace Shawn had an incredible fear of heights, so when they rappeled up the cliffs, Shawn was about to pass out as they started ascending. Mandy Patinkin said André the Giant put his hand on Shawn's head and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you, I'll take care of you," and Shawn was able to do the scene.

Movie poster for "The Princess Bride" showing main characters with tagline about fairy tale elements, including heroes and true love — 20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

15.The cast recalled how they all filmed on location, stayed at the same hotel, and had dinner together. The vibe was a lot like being at a movie camp.

Group of characters from "The Princess Bride" gather around an unconscious person on a table in a rustic setting — 20thcentfox / Â©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

16.To film the Cliffs of Insanity swordfight scene, Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin set out to watch "every swordfight ever filmed." Their favorite was Scaramouche with Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer.

Two people duel with swords on a rocky cliff, one wears a dark outfit and mask, and the other wears a rugged, medieval-style costume — 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

17.Finally, Rob Reiner mentioned once he met a woman who said, "The Princess Bride saved my life." She was skiing when an avalanche caused her to get stuck in the snow. She said she recited every line in the movie to keep everyone occupied while waiting for rescue.