How One Failed Fantasy Became The Most Quoted Film In History

How One Failed Fantasy Became The Most Quoted Film In History
Discover the fascinating story of The Princess Bride (1987) - a fantasy film that initially stumbled but later became one of the most quoted movies in history. From iconic lines to its unexpected rise to cult status, this video dives into how a "failed" classic captured hearts forever.
#ThePrincessBride #MovieHistory #ClassicMovies #1987Films #CultClassics #FantasyMovies
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[@loftus4453]

Galaxy Quest is another excellent example of a movie that perfectly balances sincerity and satire. Another example of a perfect movie in my opinion.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

Me too. I LOVE that one

[@brunozeigerts6379]

I saw this in the theatre... and was blown away. Had it in Beta, VHS, and now DVD. To not like this movie would be INCONCEIVABLE!

[@sailor_gaia]

Me too; one of my earliest memories of seeing a film in the theatre. I remember the experience particularly because my older sister was whining about being dragged to see a "stupid romance film." Considering we all loved it and have seen it a million times since, I've never let her forget her initial prejudice against it.

[@migmit]

It's a really bad, really dumb movie.

[@sky0kast0]

But a really dumb really bad movie is sometimes a touchstone.

[@brunozeigerts6379]

@ In what way is it dumb and bad?

[@migmit]

@@brunozeigerts6379 It's very poorly acted. The main romantic couple just can't act to save their lives (well, they couldn't at the time). There are stupid asides that go nowhere (those rats), while big chunks of the story are left off-screen (how the hell did the farm girl end up marrying the prince?) There are obvious plot holes (we learn that Fezzik told Inigo everything that happend, but how did he know it?) The good guys are enormously helped by convenient coincidences (“mostly dead”, or the way Inigo just stumbles into the secret door).

[@RobertPace-qz3bt]

“Inconceivable!!!” The single greatest one word line ever created.

[@WakenerOne]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[@lisagulick4144]

@@WakenerOne Best comeback to a one-word line _ever!_

[@glennjones6004]

Back in the nineties, I joined a fellow to play a gig at a pizza pub. It was a thin crowd with a group of regulars sitting along the bar while others came and went, getting pizza and occasionally sitting at the tables. It was an OK night as gigs go, and as we finished and began packing up, the bartender turned on the TV and started flipping channels; the movie Princess Bride scrolled past, and the bar full of middle-aged boomers erupted with, "Put that on." and he did. After loading up our gear, we joined them in watching this flick, and the bartender waited until after closing time to finish it. This is a favorite in my household.

[@clocutron]

One of my favorites of all time. Still quoting this film as much today as I did decades ago. An absolute must-see for everyone, regardless of individual preferences.

[@lancerevell5979]

Agreed! Such a treasure trove of superb quotable lines! I've been using some for decades. 😎👍

[@rustyshackelford1413]

While not the first, let's not forget that Westley did spend years living as the bloodthirsty Dread Pirate Roberts. He, along with the crew he commanded, sailed the high seas; murdering, raping, and pillaging as they went. I understand the guy had a rough childhood and all, but I don't think he should escape accountability just on the basis of "True Love."

[@DaveBjornRapp]

It's hard to see "The Princess Bride" and "Failed" in the same title. Almost everybody I know loves that movie.

[@alicefreist318]

The clickbait title got me too!

[@shadowscott9910]

Failed? No. Genius!

[@TrueMohax]

I mean ‘Transformers One’ is a failed movie, but everyone I’ve seen loves it. Same with ‘Rise of the Guardians’

[@DravenGal]

I've only met two people in my life who didn't like it, and they were people who hate fantasy films. Still boggles my mind.💙

[@mal35m]

This and Grease are 2 films my niece loved to watch over and over again till she could quote the movies word for word. I think she Xed the VHS tape from overuse.

[@robink.1903]

I watched this three times in theaters when I was in 6th grade. My dad recorded the audio one of the times, and I listened to it over and over. I have owned it on VHS and DVD. It's still one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@armchairgravy8224]

This, Galaxy Quest, and Hot Fuzz are perfect comedy movies.

[@KarinShah]

I agree! Both Galaxy Quest and Hot Fuzz manage the balancing of comedy and feelings brilliantly. Good call!

[@mikebronicki8264]

What is Hot Fuzz? Galaxy Quest and The Princess Bride are definitely both top 5 All-time movies.

[@gryphonvert]

@@mikebronicki8264 Hot Fuzz is a Simon Pegg and Nick Frost send-up of buddy cop movies from 2007. It's well worth watching.

[@Mr_Yod]

@@mikebronicki8264 It's a cop action movie by Edgar Wright, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the same two that made Shaun of the Dead and The World's End.

[@CherokeeParkes]

@@mikebronicki8264 The middle of the Cornetto Trilogy. A fun parody of buddy cop movies and even a nod to The Wicker Man.

[@theredheadwiththread1275]

My parents love this movie, my siblings and I love this movie, and now my son loves this movie. I do believe it will endure for many years to come as a beloved classic.

[@brianhurt8694]

The toys that Fred Savage has are the toys that were the coolest, back then. I had Grizzlor and Captain America, too.

[@bobsurface908]

"Often" fail to replicate? I can't think of a single movie that even comes close to capturing this vibe. It's not even VAGUELY close. And it's thiiiiis close to falling into 80's cheese, and misses. Same with satire, schlock, a comedy, an action adventure - it fails to be trapped into ANY traps or pigeonholes. It dances around all of them - reaching damn near perfection at each subgenre...and then dances away. The swordfights. The live action stunts. The timing. The comedy - including swathes of improv. The adult humour without smut. The childish jokes without schlock. The wordplay, the puns, bloody RHYMING GIANT WRESTLERS. Fking hell.

[@jenathan76]

Tim Burton's Big Fish is the only movie I can think of that comes close to capturing the magic of TPB. If you haven't seen it, give it a try.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

I don't remember if it initially bombed at the box office, but, oh boy, I don't think 'failed' means what you think that it means...

[@mattm8870]

From what I can find it broke even at the box office because the marketing team messed up so it was kind of a flop

[@michaelnewton5873]

It was a college favorite at my Southern Baptist University.

[@vederianl9723]

@@mattm8870 It was also only released in 803 theatres. Top earner in 1987, Beverly Hills Cop 2, was released in 2326 theatres.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

The fact that, even this the video states, that the film almost doubled its production costs, in takings, tells you it did not fail. Stupid title to grab attention.

[@theredheadwiththread1275]

@@Thurgosh_OG I hate to be a "well, actually" arse, but doubling it's budget is considered a failure because a film has to make much *more* than double the budget to be considered a success. It barely doubled its budget, ergo "failure" is correct.

[@tammygant4216]

"gentle vulnerability"....what a wonderful way to describe that character! Well done!

[@lancerevell5979]

I love this movie! A true classic. 😎👍 And "Dread Pirate Roberts" was inspired by the real life pirate Bartholomew Roberts (aka "Black Bart") who took 400 vessels as prizes, making him arguably the most successful pirate of all time. 😊

[@SilverScribe85]

I didn't even know of this movie's existence until after I watched a short version from the 30 Second Bunnies series. After that, I sought out the DVD for Princess Bride, watched it and it quickly became one of my top favorite movies. I must've seen it over four dozen times and yet, I still feel myself smiling like a fool the whole way through

[@kcthesledgestoryteller]

I’m happy to say that I saw this at the theater - Drive-In that is. But I do remember struggling with the mental adjustment to a medieval spoof. I saw it as part of a family event, and while in the truck bed, I remember my mom saying to everyone, “Is this a dumb movie?” But like most others, I’ve come to appreciate it has brilliant comedy.

[@alicefreist318]

If I don't quote this movie weekly, I'm probably hospitalized and unable to communicate.

[@voxorox]

Funny thing is... The role that home video had in saving this movie most likely wouldn't happen with streaming today. It's a different market dynamic.

[@billebrooks]

Not necessarily...the Queen's Gambit was a similar kind of hit on Netflix. The Princess Bride could have caught on the same way.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

The fact that, even this the video states, that the film almost doubled its production costs, in takings, tells you it did not fail.

[@gryphonvert]

The growing degree to which streaming services yank films, never to be shown again, is cutting off their noses to spite their face. There is really no reason not to allow films and shows to remain available. But Netflix is particularly bad about this. Films and shows can't become "beloved cult hits" if you don't give people time to discover them, and word of mouth time to get the message out there.

[@bullettube9863]

I watched this movie on HBO with my son and daughter and later bought a VHS tape of it. They both watched it several times and now they both have a daughter and they to have grown up loving this movie. It's such an honest movie, the humor is muted, but the drama is not and it seems like it was real with real people.

[@privatenoone8911]

Your last sentence suggests another reason for the film's uniqueness - you watch it as a film but you feel as though you're in the theatre. Has any other film ever achieved this?

[@petersarubbi]

My favorite movie since first saw it in 1987 and nothing has ever surpassed it ... I will forever love this movie above all others 💙😁

[@hazcatsophia]

Growing up, my dad would always quote from “The Great Race”. Another film that Peter Falk was in. The one he quoted the most was Jack Lemmon’s line, “Push the button, Max” whenever we were in an elevator.

[@canonade]

Just to say, Cary Elwes in his book (As You Wish), said that he broke his toe riding a three/four-wheeler at Andre's insistence. (I am , no doubt, paraphrasing). The book is a good read for fans, and if you can catch a viewing with Elwes hosting, please go.

[@peteratkin3788]

This and Biggles have to be among and on top of my all-time favourites, as inconceivable as that sounds.

[@bobingabout]

1:27 Can't help but say "Inconceivable!" at this point.

[@eddarby469]

Do you always start conversations this way?

[@rapturedmourning]

A woman that has reasonable agency, but isn't an insufferable girl boss. Villains that are evil, but act to reach their goals. Please never let Disney get their vile hands on this.

[@damagingthebrand7387]

Disney remake of Princess Bride. We all know where that would go...

[@RandalLSchwartz]

@@damagingthebrand7387 At least we'd get another Disney Princess from it. You know, for kids.

[@michaelcox9855]

I saw this as a kid on TV for the first time thinking I would hate it. Not only did I not hate it, but I own a copy to this day. It remains one of my most beloved films.

[@japoniano]

Any inconsistency in this movie or special effect that doesn't please you, please remember we're not watching a movie based on the book; we're watching the Grandson's imagination on what the Grandfather is reading.

[@Russwig]

This is good and accurate, save for what happened to Wesley"s foot and the horribly pronounced names. Thanks AI...

[@alohadave]

It must be an AI voice.

[@Russwig]

@@alohadave That's why I thanked "AI".

[@tgmotoman1]

Fantastic review!!

[@jnokomis]

I saw someone quote this movie, beginning to end one night at work. Some of us joined in here and there. It was great

[@playfulpanthress]

There were several moments Cary didn't do his own stunt. The impressive flip during the swordfight and the tumble of, "As you wish!". He DID get knocked out when Count Ruga hit him over the head in the outskirts of the Fire Swamp. They couldn't get it to look right, so Cary said, "Just hit me.". That's the take in the movie. 😅

[@MAXXWORX]

Funny, was rewatching it yesterday night with my family :D It is great fun.

[@ajsmith2507]

My middle school English students started with eye rolling and finished with “I have a new favorite movie.”

[@MrClarissacain]

This movie is about love. Many kinds of love. It's great.

[@_tartaros_9997]

thank you for pointing me to inigo montoya and and to see man in tights now in a more complex way. didn´t know about the film, but will look this one with my kids soon

[@paulrobinson3649]

The nearest that any film has come to mixing genres with sincerity is, I believe, Stardust.

[@brandoncruise6398]

There's a great movie with Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of it.

[@gryphonvert]

I feel that Galaxy Quest deserves a mention, too.

[@nicholashylton6857]

Another one is "This is Spinal Tap". Also a quotable Rob Reiner classic.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

My favorite memory is my father, because I picked the movie to rent, said "You did something right...* (jeezus, who's cutting onions...)

[@NightsReign]

*_"I'm not crying, YOU'RE CRYING!!"_*

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

I wish I had a dad

[@ChristopherLaHaise]

I saw this in the theatre. It is one of the greatest - if not THE greatest - movie ever made.

[@JP-sj6dk]

I met someone on a walk the other day with their dog named Humperdink, I told them I was going home to watch this movie right away!

[@brianvernon249]

Failed? WTF? The narrator even praises this movie. I just love the 6. Finger man’s pure blood bloodhound & listen to him go on and on about nuts. I’m expecting a mini Stonehenge pi looking thing to slowly fall from the castle ceiling.

[@jaymorin7131]

Columbo was grilling that kid for hours and still could not get a confession.

[@bowhunter3703]

We have three daughters. We must've watched this movie over a hundred times and never gotten bored watching it. I have both the VHS and the DVD, and I watch it now with my grandchildren. My girls told me that the book is better, so I refused to read the book.

[@owenjinxy]

❤ thus Movie. This and "Blazing Saddles" are my 2 favorite American comedies.(I'm a pythonist".) But I'm a romantic that's also why I embrace the word Beloved about the characters in this movie. ❤❤❤

[@zsoltbartus169]

Its one of the most beloved film, EVER. I do not see it as a fail.

[@WarDog793]

I LOVE THIS MOVIE! One of my all-time favorites. Reiner and his cast really knew now to adapt it, but then, the author's script certainly helped. I always wondered, however, if the title should have been _The Prince's Bride,_ since technically Buttercup was not a princess. No matter. Everything rang true. Today, they'd probably have done the ROUSs with CGI. "Get used to disappointment." NOT with this movie! Thanks for this video.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

In answer to the title... VHS Rental... That it has charm, whimsey and fun by the wheelbarrow load, its like a warm hug. That it includes many British comedy icons as side characters. For me when it came out in the cinemas, I had just started work and was doing night school so I didn't even notice it was out... I was crewing a sci-fi con and some mates suggested we take our break watching this film, never encountered it before, I have worn out 2 VHS tapes since.

[@acmelka]

I was conceived at this movie in the theater!

[@teyemanon1970]

Good one.

[@artor9175]

Inconceivable!

[@beejay7665]

I do not think that means what you think it means

[@teyemanon1970]

@@beejay7665 It's a pun. A play on words. It is an inconcievably inconcievable incocievibility that such a confluence of contrafibularities exists.

[@beejay7665]

@@teyemanon1970 I know; I was laughing out loud at @artor9175 ‘s response!

[@MarkWiseTechno]

Meta fantasy rom-com is a style that should be hyper-niche in it's appeal. Instead it's actually the most universal thing ever.

[@ronsorage78]

My favorite movie still to this day.

[@no.6243]

Saying that a cult film "failed" is most certainly a bad opinion. Even today, my kids love it. Judging success by economic standards has lead to most of the sludge coming out of Hollywood today.

[@adamaccountname]

Practical effects are a lot like theatre, you appreciate the effort that went into them more, CGI doesn't capture the same feel of hand crafted props

[@heathercampbell6059]

I agree that this is probably the most quoted movie I've ever heard, and I can see why. there's actually only one thing that I would change in the whole thing, and that's when Buttercup starts poking the giant rat with a stick instead of hitting the dang thing over the head. she already had a stick in her hand... so that whole idea of her not being just a damsel and distress is a little undermined by that, but everything else is so fabulous.

[@momundy]

Sadly, lazy A.I. voiceover, script and editing- the incorrectly pronounced names should’ve given it away, but it was literally the last comment made about a character saying one of the most famous lines, that the character indeed didn’t say, in a video about being the most quotable movie of all time? And a banal ChatGPT script draft passed off as actually saying something? Not to mention the now passé click bait thumbnail that is found on every one of the videos churned out here. Come on. This movie deserves better.

[@marieroberts5664]

I missed a few things, but what got me was the repetition of points already made earlier in the video. I removed my thumbs up.

[@rustyshackelford1413]

While not the first, let's not forget that Westley did spend years living as the bloodthirsty Dread Pirate Roberts. He, along with the crew he commanded, sailed the high seas; murdering, raping, and pillaging as they went. I understand the guy had a rough childhood and all, but I don't think he should escape accountability just on the basis of "True Love."

[@eaglescout1984]

I've also heard that the Fred Savage framing was to help keep boys engaged despite the overly-romantic opening. So that they want to stick around until the action starts.

[@darrellcovello7917]

"Yo, I'm Amigo Antonio. You merc'd by Dad. Get ready to bleed" or something like that it's been awhile

[@RM47319]

As much as I can't stand Rob Reiner the man, Rob Reiner the director is outstanding. Even if he never did anything else, he cemented his legacy with This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride.

[@pumbaaj]

In 1989, I got sooo sick and tired of kids at high school quoting "Princess Bride" ...and their Swatch watches, Coca Cola shirts, drowned in Polo cologne. I vowed I'd never ever watch it.

[@nsnopper]

And . . . did you ever watch it? For myself, I missed it too, and have never seen it. But, after watching this, I might.

[@マイク-q2m]

A lot of failed films become Quotable. Like since Idiocracy had recently come true, I've been quoting it like mad.

[@stuartsviews1565]

can't believe you missed that the grandfather was Columbo

[@horacehorse254]

Saw in a documentary about Andre The Giant. He was incredibly drunk throughout the film… but was still easy to work with. ✋

[@benjaminphillips9499]

You did good here but one thing wrong. Andre did not step on Elwes foot. Elwes broke his big toe while driving Andre's atv and was afraid to tell Rob Rin

[@Spikeba11]

Sounds like the only thing that failed was the initial marketing campaign.

[@movespammerguyteam7colors]

Yeah, it was an odd movie. Though it was entertaining, mostly because of a multitude of reasons. The line “You killed my father, prepare to die.” has some genuine intent behind it. And that’s just one character’s motivation out of an entire cast of them with surprising motivations.

[@Brandyalla]

Although Andre was involved. being stepped on was not how Cary Elwes broke his foot. Where did you even do your research? Elwes wrote a very good book on the entire filming experience.

[@stevewheeler6672]

I read the book well before the movie came out, and I understand why it was considered unadaptable. Goldman made himself, as the author, a major character in the book, and it was by removing his direct actions from the story that Reiner was able to make a workable movie. I liked the book well enough, but I saw the movie in the theater and fell in love with it.

[@dmnemaine]

The Princess Bride was not a failure. It was a modest success. It made a profit. Failures don't make their money back.

[@therealmaizing5328]

They can *never* remake this movie and I really hope they never try. It is perfect as it is.

[@jasonswiatkowski9127]

I love the PB just as it is. I'd like to see the story of Inego Montoya as a stand alone movie. The Adventures of the Dread Pirate Roberts. A Miracle Max series.

[@lisagulick4144]

I wonder if Lord Farquaad from _Shrek_ was modeled on Humperdinck?

[@hagerty1952]

Sorry, but "Holy Grail" is the most quoted film in history.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

He's not the messiah... Hang on, wrong Python Film...😉

[@RollingThunder69]

All right! We'll call it a draw....

[@hagerty1952]

@ - But probably my favorite, even over Holy Grail.

[@christajennings3828]

In our family, we quote both regularly, but I would say Princess Bride is ahead, despite "I'm not dead yet!".

[@toddjackson3136]

PB edges out HG at our house, but HG is a close 2nd.

[@larryscott3982]

How much has the film made since theater box office? $30M in theaters, but a lot of post theater releases. Doesn’t that count?

[@robbinruffino1201]

Fezzik would say that last line-not Westley!

[@MrGreensweightHist]

Andre didn't step on his foot. Andre had an ATV, and let him ride it. He crashed it.

[@PatrickKniesler]

G.R.R. Martin had this whole thing to go off of and rejected it. His stories engage only in criticism and inversion. He can't tie up loose ends in a meaningful way because his narrative intended to reveal some underlying truth about how nothing makes sense in the end.

[@matthewkeebler2326]

"Ahead of its time" anything before "current year" was sexiest... LOL

[@markdeloria20]

The Princess Bride is an absolutely PERFECT movie, and I will fight anyone who disagrees.

[@Music_is_Breathing]

I don't understand people who don't like this movie. I know 2 people who loathe it OTOH I love it!!!

[@shannonalaminski2619]

Failed? This is still one of my favorites and my wife and I watch it regularly.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

The '80s got so many famous quotes that are meme-able.

[@jonathanstern5537]

I think the GotG trilogy, the Deadpool trilogy, and Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves at least come close to achieving it.

[@slashandbones13]

It made double it's budget at the box office. That's considered not great, but not a failure ethier.

[@B__C__]

So this is how we got _Ghostbusters!?_ Cool.

[@chucksolutions4579]

Please PLEASE tell me EXACTLY WHO WAS EVER A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS!?!?! Because literally every Bond girl, every Disney princess every single heroine put to film that I’ve been aware of since the 80’s claims to resist the “damsel in distress,” stereotype, to the point where we ended up with a boss babe Mary Sue who never struggles.

[@KaelRavenheart]

4:43 Umm, I don't remember the grandson ever asking that. Are you sure that even happens?

[@LordRain1031]

As much as i love and adore this movie, i can't watch it today. Being "single" and watching a "love story" like THIS, is more than my emotions can handle. But i STILL love this movie! Stardust as well!

[@gerold7941]

The Most Quoted Film in my memory is Monty Python's Life of Brian, but I am from Germany.

[@feandil666]

And this movie has the most beautiful woman in the world, you wonder why nobody went to see it. But 1987 was an insane year.

[@Christophylax]

(Click bait?..) This movie was not a failure. The failure was no patience. Quite constant when people are only worried about making money.💖

[@SisterMaryElephant]

I'm waiting on the culturally diverse CGI remake.

[@keithphelps425]

Sorry but the most quoted film in history is Casablanca.

[@modernpolitics]

Has the narrator never heard anyone else pronounce the names Rob Reiner or Mark Knopfler before?

[@discgolfer1974]

I love The Princess Bride (TPB) and must say it is infinitely quotable, but upon a more mature rewatch, it doesn’t quite hold up. The problem is the film is incomplete. Sure, the hero “defeats” the villain and the party rides off into the sunset (or sunrise in this case), but does anyone really think Prince Humperdinck won’t immediately give pursuit as soon as he is freed from his bindings? This is similar to the way Star Wars gave rise to The Empire Strikes Back but with TPB, the unfinished business is even more obvious.

[@brianwolf5752]

It's crazy to me how you can nearly double your investment, putting in $16 million and earning $31 million and consider the project a failure.

[@allenscott68]

Zulu swashbuckler. Man this was my movie I've long been discovered that most of my favorite movies and movies I call classical were movies that probably didn't do to well at the movies are was even nimated for and Oscar🗣📢‼️

[@Ion-i5d]

You keep using that word, "Failed". I do not think it means what you think it means. The Princess Bride! May she reign forever!

[@WatchingTrainsGoBy-PassingTime]

The ENTIRE reason this film failed, was because of the marketing. I LOVE Peter Falk and Columbo is about my favorite character. BUT this movie suffered because of the ad's showing Peter Falk reading a story to the kid and making it appear to be a movie for 8 year olds. That's it. It's that simple. By the time people that saw it could tell people what it really was, it was too late in pre-social media reality.

[@josephgallagher945]

Young Frankenstein & original Willy Wonka, too.

[@theuneducatedman5375]

Good video on a great movie. I watched this as a kid in the late 80's and I've loved it ever since

[@findsharon]

There are a lot of quotable lines, but Airplane wins.