The Princess Bride, Lost in Adaptation ~ The Dom

In this episode of lost in adaptation The Dom wonders if the changes made in the film’s plot were inconceivable....
Don't shoot the messenger about the ending of the book. Was I too mean to Buttercup?
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[@CJCroen1393]

Fun fact: The writing of this book was so convincing that I heard a previous class who had to read it before me had a kid asking the teacher if they could read the unabridged version someday.

[@claytonparfumorse3101]

That was me untill...i watched this video. I had no idea that the "abridged" book i read , wasnt.

[@becky3983]

When I first got the book out of the library, I asked the librarian if they had the unabridged version.

[@Kathy_Loves_Physics]

I love the book to my best friend and she asked the same thing!

[@edgarallenhoe3518]

It was so convincing that it kept me from reading the book!

[@ariannamonson4092]

The guy who played Wesley in the movie wrote a book called "As You Wish" about the behind the scenes of the movie. It has a lot of wacky stories like Andre the giant using his own catering service to provide food on set and my favorite, when they were filming the fire swamp scene, specifically the part where buttercup's dress catches on fire, and the book's writer walked in late and said "Oh my gosh! Her dress is on fire!" and started panicking and everyone just looked at him like "are you serious?" and then he remembered. He wrote that part. It's in the book. It's definitely a fun book to check out, one that I would recommend reading if you're a huge fan of the movie.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

I read that book. My favorite story in there was about Wallace Shawn having to be told multiple times that him not being able to do a Sicilian accent wasn't going to hurt the performance.

[@user-hx6ye4jq1n]

Or Andre’s epic farts

[@user-hx6ye4jq1n]

Cary Elwes tells such wonderful stories about the making of the Princess Bride. Told with such humor, including the 2 stories about how he was very seriously injured during the filming; broken toe while riding Andre's ATV and Christopher Guest giving him a concussion. And such a loving tribute to Andre the Giant

[@thesecretroman]

I know it means that a person read half the book but nope, half a person read that book.

[@THEGREATMAX]

It was the pirate with no arms and legs from Family Guy

[@roefane2258]

I saw the 5 1/2 and came right to the comment section to figure out if I was alone. Thank goodness I wasn't.

[@oblivious8868]

GanonGhidorah That's a talented right leg.

[@historymysteries4134]

I’d read it as a “kinda”

[@morinomajou]

THAT is what "to the pain" means--

[@theinfantmetroid]

"I rented The Princess Bride!" "Really? Don't you have it memorised by now?" "Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker for a happy ending"

[@VforVendettas]

You're on jiffy pop detail

[@isabelperry4097]

I first read the book when I was young enough that I didn't realize it wasn't actually an adaptation of an older book, and I was utterly crushed when I found out that I'd never get to read the etiquette parts or the essay on trees.

[@agnetalykins7564]

This was exactly me. I had always looked through bookstores trying to find the original. It wasn't until I asked my mom about it once that she explained to me that it wasn't real. I wanted to read the anti-medicine rant and the full chapter of the queen trying on different hats and packing her luggage.

[@CloveClover02]

Can we all just take a moment to realize that Billy Crystal and Carol Kane improvised all their lines in this movie? That's pretty damn impressive

[@stephenmarco2927]

After finding that out and rewatching the film I noticed Mandy patikan and Andre the giant didn't talk much in that scene

[@Phoenix_254]

Well yeah, Mandy and Andre were struggling to keep in their laughter. Apparently Mandy even bruised his rib from the struggle of not laughing.

[@stephenmarco2927]

Nathan Fite can't say I blame them

[@Phoenix_254]

Nor can I, Billy Crystal isn't my usual flavor of humor, but this movie, he is incredible.

[@ruththompson7816]

Apparently they spent three full days just filming their ad-libs. Some of the things were unsuitable for a PG film.

[@Jillbles]

All of the points for use of, "Eels."

[@CoolG97]

I don't think the father is dead, more likely he is working or away on business, I think the replacement was to to show a wide distance between the Old and the Young when it came to entertainment, the young boy more interested in action and believing he would fall asleep listening to his Grandfather read an old book. The kid appeared to be at an age were he feels his Grandfather is stuck in the past and doesn't want to move on to the "more entertaining" modern era, but by the end the boy changes his mind about that.

[@carlrood4457]

Yeah, I never got the feeling the dad was dead, it was just to increase the generation divide, especially since it's essentially a fairy tale being told. I can't really see a dad in 1987 reading a fairy tale to a 10 year old boy. Also, it's Peter Falk.

[@georgeoldsterd8994]

@@carlrood4457 my dad used to read me fairy tales when I was four or five, and it was the mid-90's. 🤷

[@CallMeCrazyCallMePoor]

The kid is home from school sick. I always assumed that his dad was at work while his Grandpa was visiting.

[@PoeticProse7]

Inigo and Fezik have a closer bond and deeper friendship in the book that is absolutely beautiful and was one of my favorite parts. The two shared a lot of rhymes which was barely shown in the movie to a good comedic effect. They also almost died while in the Zoo of Death. He and Fezik were on a level with snakes and were in the grasp of a constrictor when Inigo mentions that it's a shame they're dying now when they have so many more rhymes to share and gets cut off by unconsciousness after saying, "Like . . .". Fezik gets frantic and starts shouting, "What rhymes?!" and finds the strength to kill the snakes, saving both their lives.

[@sammarchiony6088]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention Buttercup's Baby, the psuedo-sequel that Goldman revealed starting in the 25th anniversary edition. He has only ever written the first chapter, and has said "I desperately want to write it, and I sit there and nothing happens and I get pissed at myself. I got lucky with The Princess Bride the first time, and I'd love to get lucky again." In the sequel, it's revealed that they DID make it to the Revenge, but with the armada pursuing them, the foursome went to a place called One Tree Island, where Humperdinck couldn't reach them, where Buttercup had the titular baby, a daughter named Waverly. It's also revealed that during his years pre-Vizzini, Inigo met and fell in love with a Countess, but they didn't end up together and... well, the first chapter is actually called Fezzik Dies. RIP, Andre the Giant. I still miss you.

[@sadlobster1]

I'm glad the sequel wasn't made, this is one of those stories that's great on its own

[@literaturmurks]

The sequel chapter also makes up a feud between Goldman and Stephen King, because the heirs of Morgenstern want King to publish the sequel, not Goldman.

[@ilselindberg6557]

You didn't mention my favorite thing! In the movie, after they fall down the hill and reunite for real, the grandfather stops reading, and the boy complains says " well you said you didn't want any more kissing." In the book, there's a long aside where Goldman rants about morganstien not writing a lovey dovey scene there, and how his editor didn't want him to write one to place there. Eventually he claims that he and the editor came to a compromise, and if you send a stamped envelope to the address he gives, you'll be sent the hot and steamy reunion scene he wrote! Obviously I sent in my envelope! What I got instead was a 4 page short story about how the estate of S. Morganstien didn't what him adding in extra bits, and how slimy their lawyer was, and Goldman was real sorry, but he wasn't allowed to send the steamy reunion scene. LOL! I was 12 or 13 then and COMPLETELY taken in by the whole adapting it ruse! I just love what a wonderful interactive detail that was! I wonder is that still a thing in recent editions? Or do they send you to a website?

[@literaturmurks]

That's so cool! I just discovered this wonderful book recently and I was wondering if you could really send letters to the publisher. In the newer edition he had printed the answering letter and basically a whole new chapter of his 'legal fight with the Morgenstern heirs' . I love this so much.

[@tremorsfan]

Kermit Shogg.

[@Sheena3745]

Today I learned... that wasn't real! Every few years I thought about writing again to check if the "legal troubles" were over, but RL got on the way & I never did. Good trick! I fell for it for decades!!! 🙃😛😳🤦🤪

[@hughcaldwell1034]

I read the book a couple of months ago and did wonder what would happen. Rather reminds me of Douglas Adams setting up an answering machine message for the phone number in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. "You've reached Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. If you'd like to leave a message after the beep, you can't. There isn't going to be one..."

[@awesomelyshorticles]

"There should be a rule the authors help write the screenplay" (Fantastic Beasts flashbacks)

[@PerfectKirby]

Yeah, that opinion of his didn't last forever lol

[@StudioInkblot]

​@@PerfectKirbyNor did him liking Rowling

[@jenniferschillig3768]

A couple other changes that jumped out at me: -In the book, when Buttercup surrenders in the Fire Swamp, it's painted as more of a cowardly decision. (Westley: You would rather live with the Prince than die with your love? Buttercup: I can live without love.) In the movie, it's more of a noble self-sacrifice: "I thought you were dead before, and it nearly killed me. I won't let you die again--not when I could save you." It paints her in a much better light. -The book makes it seem as if Buttercup and Humperdinck ARE legally (technically) married by the end. (In the wedding chamber, Westley simply says, "Widows happen" when Buttercup tells him she got married against her will, and Buttercup drives off the Brute Squad by proclaiming she is the queen (she explains that technically, she's the PRINCESS since the King hasn't retired or died, but "queen" sounded more impressive). The movie, more sensibly, posits that since she didn't consent or make any vows (by saying "I do"), they AREN'T legally married.

[@georgeoldsterd8994]

Dang, Buttercup sure is a piece of work in the book, isn't she?

[@user-pi3hd2bt3f]

​@@georgeoldsterd8994i mean, Westley calls her stupid for not liking to read and actually slaps her instead of just threatening to So they are both worse in the book

[@CurlyAndNerdy101]

Hahaha! This reminds me! My last boyfriend was French and had never seen this film, a staple of my childhood which I've watched more times than I can count, but can recite every line. We were walking over to my best friend's house when I asked him if he wanted to go swimming after, to which he said, "As you wish." I stopped dead in my tracks and started blubbering and giggling all over the place, planting one or two kisses on his cheeks. We'd already said those three words to each other, but this was just so damn cute to me. Turns out he had no idea what I was going on about and was just quoting his favorite Star Wars character, Boba Fet. He wouldn't believe what I was saying about the lines and so my parents and I sat him down to watch it together. Apparently when the line was said, he turned with a terrified look to my mum, and she gave him a 'See what you did?' look. He didn't stop saying it though :)

[@jaysea5939]

Haha! I remember a conversation where people smashed together the movies using that line to link the universes. Luke vs Darth Vader: "Why are you smiling?" "I know something you do not - I am not left-handed." "Now you are!" *chop*

[@eugenideddis]

It sounds like all the changes from the book were for the better, as they would quickly disinterest casual viewers, and cause more boredom than entertainment. Their presence in the book I assume is only good due to the authors writing style. Now on my list of books to read.

[@rebeccaliar9873]

Eugenideddis I will admit, the sections about Goldman's edits to the Morgenstern version and his own personal experiences can be a bit disengaging, but it really all depends on personal preference. I myself found the book perfect for a long summer read.

[@tapnerd1512]

Nathanael Unger I think those are a matter of personal taste. I found the footnotes regarding the Morgenstern version hilarious, especially after taking one too many literature classes.

[@TackyRackyComixNEO]

+Eugenideddis Honestly, I enjoyed the footnotes and meta-story within the book more than I enjoyed the "main" story within the book. Not to say I didn't enjoy the "main" story at all--far from it, the whole book is pretty great--just, the story that Goldman tells about himself and about his abridgement of the book is incredibly entertaining and fascinating on a whole different level.

[@sadlobster1]

One changed that the movie made that I happily welcomed was Buttercup and Westley's reunion scene. In the book, it didn't seem quite so descriptive and intimate. But in the movie; you can, clearly see the love between them

[@bryanread6663]

In the book, the reunion scene is very explicitly not included. There's one of the author notes there stating that Morgernstern didn't write one, but that Goldman did and if any readers were interested, they needed to write to the publisher to get a copy of it (at no cost). Every week, the publisher still gets dozens of letters asking for it, and they do respond still. I would urge any fans of the book to look up the address in your copy and write a letter asking for a copy.

[@Arella17]

In all fairness I doubt the father was dead in the movie, it was the middle of the day so likely they figured it would have made more sense for him to be at work or something.

[@jordanmitchell380]

I always assumed that too.

[@carlrood4457]

I think it's one of those movies where everyone seems to be having fun making it. Everyone gets to ham it up a bit and that enhances the surreal fantasy aspect. Cary Elwes is especially good as he's hamming it up in a strangely low key manner. Mandy Patinkin is just awesome (as he often is) as he switches between comedy, tragedy, and heroic without it ever seeming to not fit in.

[@LucyLioness100]

My mom’s favorite movie in the world. It is the film that brought my parents together & even had a friend who recited the Impressive Clergyman’s “mawwige” speech at their wedding reception. Whenever I recite a line from this movie for my mom, she immediately laughs before I say a word

[@joinmarch76]

Rest in Peace, Morgenstern/Goldman, your frankly insane levels of meta and confusing ruses will not be forgotten, not by the public, not by fans of the films, and certainly not my brain every time it gets a headache trying to understand the distinction.

[@damienkakoschke3099]

One of my all-time favourite movies ever. That the surviving cast still will delight with cheery anecdotes at the drop of a hat indicates how much they loved making it too.

[@TippytoeZombie]

One part I'm surprised you didn't mention is that the "Invention of the kiss" metaphor towards the end was part of a running theme of mentioning various "inventions" that were not actually inventions at all. I love this book and this movie and I am so glad that they're making a musical.

[@elsie8757]

tHEY'RE MAKING A MUSICAL???

[@TippytoeZombie]

Disney is making a stage musical and I can think of so many places in the movie where it will be so easy to insert the songs.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I'll look forward to that. Sometime before, Adam Guettel (grandson of Richard Rodgers!) was preparing a musical, and had even written a suite of the main tunes involved, but suddenly Goldman decided to be a prick about royalties (demanding 75 PERCENT of them!) and the project fell through. I hope he doesn't pull that again.

[@maybelore]

whenever I watch the movie I forget it's not a musical, especially when Humperdinck says "I would not say such things if I were you" I just look around and am like "but where song?"

[@Thrano]

*gets out pitchfork and torch* This is The Princess Bride, alright? *watches the video* You dodged that bullet... but I'LL BE WATCHING YOU! Closely. *fades back into the shadows, tightly clutching his The Princess Bride VHS tape*

[@Thrano]

***** In no way at all. It was a joke with a sidestab at how fanboys sometimes react to reviews.

[@dragonfriend6541]

Thrano who are you talking to?

[@Thriftybits]

Katara _ The person he was talking to deleted their comment.

[@dragonfriend6541]

Lauren Scott Thanks.

[@ackbarfan5556]

Thrano *Walks into the shadow* Hey, do you use that pitchfork just for book adaptations or any type of adaptation?

[@alysonblackwood3099]

You should do an episode for "Howl's Moving Castle". Yes, it was a book that Miyazaki based him movie on.

[@rebeccahartopp5122]

seeyouspacecowboyx Also the Ronja the Robbers Daughter TV series was based on a book

[@ellygregoric3066]

The Earthsea books were actually really strange and interesting, while the movie... made very little sense at all. But it was so pretty, and that soundtrack contains some of my favourite pieces of music ever!

[@AnimePlaysMinecraft]

That would be so long! They're so different you would have to inactive the in name only clause if not for the basics they kept. The movie is definitely better though.

[@Worm-revolver]

grave of the fireflies is also a film adaptation of a book that's practically based on the writers childhood (or so the rumor goes).

[@pinkajou656]

The book is actually pretty good, until the ending where it gets really confusing and I completely lost track of what was going on.

[@TigerstripeCrayon]

Well even if Buttercup's looks fade, at least the Dom will always think we're beautiful.

[@neosmagus]

I am convinced that Princess Bride is actually a scathing critique on romance stories by purposefully making Buttercup as useless as possible, with only her looks going for her, and a pretty stupid name and pointing out all the dangers that everybody gets into because of her. I love the film. 😀

[@japansace]

I believe Golding went back in recent years and added an epilogue in which everyone HAD escaped and were all living on a deserted island together. Also, Buttercup was having Westley's baby, and it was NOT going well. But I read it years ago, so I can't claim that's entirely accurate. Could have been a fever dream of mine...

[@tscream80]

I love that "Oh sh*t* look you had when you realized the parallels between "The Princess Bride" and "Star Wars." And I still think you should do a "The Killer Angels/Gettysburg" LiA someday.

[@MidnightDarkness666]

My fantasy nerd dad showed me this when I was little and its one of our favourites. The thing that always surprises me is the reaction I get from people when I show it to them. When I tell certain kinds of men the title (like a pretentious ex boyfriend who thought his choice of films was sooo much better than mine), they all pull a dubious face expecting a sopey chick flick. Then they end up really liking it, but are unable to explain why other than its just really good. Yes, even the pretentious ex had no words.

[@andeggbreaks]

MidnightDarkness666 To be fair, it does sound like a chick flick based on the title. That's what I thought it was before this video.

[@jedimike7622]

I've gotten that reaction from people several times. Yes, the title sounds "chick-flick"-y, but it's one of the greatest movies I've ever seen and they usually end up liking it after as well.

[@Ralndrath]

I really fell for his claim of "Abridging" the Princess Bride. Hook line and sinker. It wasn't until I watched this for the first time when you said it was a fiction then I knew. They do actually survive and escape the Prince and his men. It's shown in Buttercup's baby or whatever it is titled short story, but that has a horrible ending in itself!

[@Randomixx-xm1ml]

I heard somewhere that for the final fight between Inigo and the Six-fingered Man, Mandy Patinkin was envisioning that he was speaking to and fighting against the cancer that had killed his father. I'm not sure how true it is, but if it is, it's pretty amazing.

[@user-hx6ye4jq1n]

It's true

[@AutumnFS]

I think it should be added that there was a sequel to the Princess Bride book--Buttercup's Baby. And--SPOILERS!--they all live.

[@Dominic-Noble]

Technically there isn't a sequel, Goldman has just wrote the first chapter then pretended the rest was being blocked by the estate of the fictional author he invented.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I think he's said that he'd LIKE to write the rest, but the story just isn't coming to him.

[@rmsgrey]

Well, the Morgenstern estate, and a rights battle with Stephen King...

[@alisaurus4224]

Thank you! Also, the last part of Buttercup’s Baby is called “Fezzik Dies,” though he is alive when it ends. Sure, he’s in mid-freefall from a mountaintop, but he’s ALIVE! ALIIIIIIIVE!

[@literaturmurks]

@@rmsgrey I love this so much. Especially the scene at the airport.

[@mandymaclean1055]

The number of people who I've met who genuinely believed Morgenstern was a real person is a credit to Goldman.

[@Princess_Weekes]

I couldn't fall asleep and I was just thinking I wonder if the Dom would do The princess bride and I went to go suggest it and there it was :) life is fun sometimes

[@madhatterman01]

you should do the golden compass someday

[@orykoth]

thelastgermanfan God that was a horrible adaptation, it made me rage so hard.

[@deloctyte]

thelastgermanfan Jesus, His Dark Materials had such promise. Why did you have to make me sad today? ;-;

[@BlueMageDaisen]

thelastgermanfan Yeah, it was a truly abysmal adaption of Northern Lights D= How the fuck can you take the religion out of a book literally centred around religion?!

[@righteousham]

AutumnCrusader I imagine it had to do with the controversy surrounding how exactly religion was portrayed; tie it together with the author being an atheist and it's a recipe for loud angry mobs.

[@BlueMageDaisen]

righteousham But the problem is if you remove it, you have no story left, especially the later books in the series It's like taking The One Ring out of the Lord of the Rings movies or something The artistic integrity of something shouldn't be compromised to avoid controversy, plus it had the controversy anyway because religious groups already knew the content of the His Dark Materials trilogy

[@BootsMcGee3]

There are 2 Santas, a snowman and a nutcracker decorations in the grandson’s room. This is now a Christmas movie!

[@ArtisticlyAlexis]

This is my family's favorite movie. Our little Maltese was named Fezzik and our pretty blonde cat was Westley the Manx, a cat breed famous for being used on ships because they don't have tails naturally. Mark Knopfler's amazing score was used in both my sister's wedding and mine. My father read us the book as well, and it makes me miss him so very much!

[@fangsabre]

Honestly I think the movie is maybe the best medium for this story. In fact given that the backstories that were omitted from the books are summarized in dialogue (give or take a few details like Inigo holding the official title of Wizard) help the movie. It gets you the information without really derailing the narrative and honestly Fezic explaining his history like hes having a polite chat while trying to kill westly is HILARIOUS. The movie is possible THE MOST loyal adaptation I've ever seen

[@Silensy]

Watching this in 2018. Thank you, William Goldman. You were a true genius.

[@TackyRackyComixNEO]

I remember back in high school, one of my classmates told me that she thought I'd really like the book. I'd never heard of it or the movie at the time, and the title left me skeptical (as it would for probably most dumb high school boys), but since I knew she had good taste in literature, I took her up on that and borrowed a copy from her. I started reading it and could not put it down, read in in probably a week or two. It was one of the funniest things I'd ever read, and one of the first books I can recall reading where the writing style particularly jumped out at me. I still can remember how I felt when I was reading the scene with Inigo and Wesley just casually chatting as the latter climbed up the cliffs to do battle with him. It was so fresh and unique to me. It was probably a year or two after before I finally watched the movie, and I loved it as well, but I've always preferred the book specifically because of all of Goldman's asides and "abridgements," with all the snide comments and hilarious snark he snuck into them. The movie is a nice little "greatest hits" of the book, but the book will always be my first love.

[@rebeccalovitch8504]

This (in my opinion) is one of those rare times when the movie is better than the book.

[@lyndsey8088]

Ms. Devious Plan I have to disagree. I think that they’re both amazing, and are both my favorite book and movie, but I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. That’s just my opinion though

[@fangsabre]

@@lyndsey8088 honestly I would have to say the movie is better. I liked the book, but having seen the movie and how well the streamlined approach works, I just like it better. The flashbacks to Inigo and Fezick when they were younger sort of derails the narrative and it's pretty funny as just dialogue. And there were some parts here and there that were cut for the movie that honestly the book could've done without. Like wasnt there a whole chapter explaining the court of the kingdom and it never mattered in the end? And the pit of despair descent was kindof interesting but honestly it was ok to remove because doesnt it like suddenly end in the book and then we catch up to them after and they're like "oh ya, we got through the spiders after all"

[@lyndsey8088]

Fangsabre I liked those extra bits though. Like we don’t get a whole lot of insight into Inigo and Fezzik’s backstory in the movie but it’s cool to see that in the book. Having seen the movie first and then read the book, I got so much more info and that was awesome because I had just finished the movie but I wanted more, if that makes sense?

[@fangsabre]

@@lyndsey8088 inigo's backstory is basically completely told through the dialogue between Westley and Inigo in the mmovie. Really the only part they left out there was that Inigo had beaten SO many people he held the title of Wizard

[@lyndsey8088]

Fangsabre I disagree. A ton was left out, like the details of how he became a Wizard, how his dad was a master swordsmaker and the details of that, Yeste’s character, just the details in general. Like yes we were told that he traveled the globe for twelve years, but we didn’t get to see him do that in first person or get the details of it. Yes we were told that his father was killed because he made a sword for the 6 fingered man and the man wasn’t satisfied, but the specifics? Nothing. And those are super important to me. And we got nothing as far as Fezzik’s backstory

[@NWolfsson]

Impressionable young me: Oh my gawd the Eels are horrifying! That and when they make the pyromaniac Dread Pirate Roberts! Adult me: OH MY DAYS the Machine is the most fearsome thing I've seen ever! Also, "to the Pain". *shivers*

[@sortofpink5614]

I really REALLY think that you should do Stardust by Neil Gaiman!! I don't have the funds to commit to Patreon as I am currently in uni, but I leave this comment in hopes. Feel free to ignore this post

[@HrothgarXII]

I know it is a gargantuan task, but you really should do "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy some day :)

[@HrothgarXII]

***** Oops, sorry about that! I just discovered your videos, and didn't realize you already have a massive list going.

[@HrothgarXII]

***** If I may add one - I saw that "Jaws" wasn't on there Keep up the great work, your videos are very good and very entertaining! :)

[@1tonyvalle]

***** Mr. Dom, I have to say I was gonna ask about whether you would still do novels that have multiple adaptations, like "Lord of the Rings" & "The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe", but I re-watched the Charlie review to get my answer. Also, I do hope you can do comparisons to animated movie adaptations like the previously mentioned Narnia book & Disney's "The Black Cauldron". I enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing more.

[@shinny_grimmy]

1tonyvalle Personally, I don't think the issue of how many adaptations there are really factors into Narnia. I've only seen two adaptations of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the BBC TV film and the big Disney blockbuster, and in all honesty, it doesn't feel like the Disney one is inspired that much by the BBC version. It's been a while since I've watched the older one, but that's what I remember

[@FreeKentHovind]

HrothgarXII Or the Eragon movie & book! :D

[@mint4876]

dom can really play the most beautiful woman in the world

[@JohnTheMarshall]

Indeed!

[@ErinHeartpenny]

Excellent! Thank you for this lost in adaptation! I love both the book and film equally and for different reasons. They also left out of the movie Buttercup's parents, and the Count's wife, whom Buttercup becomes jealous of because Westley god forbid he look at any other woman other than her, and that's when she realizes she loves him. Actually her figuring out that she loves Westley is a hilarious scene. Plus, William Goldman has said that this is his crowning achievement in writing, and I don't think he would have the heart to kill off his favourite characters, as is evident when he released the first chapter of a maybe sequel called Buttercup's Baby. Actually at the end of that chapter, the author claims Fezzik dies, but Goldman says that 'Morgerstern' probably wouldn't kill off a beloved character like Fezzik for sure, he would find a way to bring him back. I hope Goldman eventually finishes that (he seems to have written himself into a corner), but it'll have to satisfy that it ends on a cliffhanger, not knowing what's going to happen (as Princess Bride did in the book).

[@SolstaceWinters]

100 points to Gryffindor for the use of the Eels song!

[@TheSufferingDarkness]

ChaosSorceror_Davidicus what's the eel song? Is that literally what it's called, or is it called something else?

[@PaddySnuffles]

ChaosSorceror_Davidicus but he's a Ravenclaw...

[@hakuyowane4505]

PaddySnuffles Terrence is a Ravenclaw. They've agreed that, since The Dom is a Muggle and can't ever attend Hogwarts, he can't have a House.

[@GemnEyes]

@@TheSufferingDarkness 2 years too late but I hate to see you hanging there. It's from a very weird, yet very funny, yet very weird, TV show in the UK called The Mighty Boosh. You have to have a bizarre sense of humor to enjoy it, but it was popular.

[@laurenfrances8414]

Whoa wait what.... Okay, I loved this review (just as I love both the movie and the book) but the ending threw me for a loop. I don't have the original book, I have the 50th anniversary version. And because of this, at the end of the 50th version, it includes an excerpt to a sequel (and a story rather like the introduction to the original, and Goldman's comments about S. Morganstern throughout the book, about his grandson) Part of it includes: * Goldman makes comments about them fighting a battle at a specific place because S. Morganstern was salty about the trees being torn down for construction. * Inigo, Fezzik, Wesley and Buttercup all go to live on an impenetrable island where Buttercup has her baby and a very nasty sword-induced c-section. * Steven King being allowed to write the sequel 'as a Florin native'. I swear to God I am not making this up. (Also wasn't *Buttercup* the one who got them through the Prince's guards as they were leaving the castle? With her 'I AM THE QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN' thing? And yes, Goldman said her looks went, but he also said Fezzik and Inigo would lose fights and that Wesley and Buttercup were still each other's true loves. Because let's be honest, part of it is the island with about five people on it, part of it is that true love isn't based on appearances.)

[@douglasfreer]

Watched the Criterion edition yesterday where I watched it 3 times. Once as a first watch, once with the commentary and then with the edited audiobook to fit the runtime (here’s how edited it is. During the point where Inigo and Fezzic go to save Westley all the way to when they start storming the castle is taken up by the Zoo of Death sequence so when it’s finished they skip over the whole getting the miracle thing to them suddenly having it. Kind of makes me want to read the book now)

[@wisemoon40]

Dom: “Goldman is not only a gifted author but a talented screenwriter as well.” Me: *looks at Goldman’s decades-long list of original and adapted scripts, as well as the list of fiction and non-fiction books* Understatement of the century, dude. Highly recommend _Which Lie Did I Tell_, one of two books he wrote about his experiences as a screenwriter. Particularly since a large number of those scripts were adaptations. He’s a master at adaptations, so it’s definitely in your wheelhouse.

[@delwynklassen3644]

I also raised an eyebrow at that. I was introduced to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as soon as my family could afford VHS and a TV because my dad loved it so much. After reading the Princess Bride and later seeing the film, I twigged to Goldman’s name meaning ‘best quotable banter ever’. Later, I took my dad to see Maverick for Father’s Day when it came out, because it was cowboys and Goldman! Better than I could possibly have expected (never saw the TV show so I don’t have any notions on the adaptation).

[@sulsulii810]

I remember reading the book when I was in middle school and being absolutely floored upon realizing that it really was a story within a story, and that wasn't just a thing they did in the movie. As a young girl who wanted to be a writer and was obsessed with trying to find new ways to tell a story, it completely blew my mind.

[@zenfrodo]

Now I'm binge-watching your vids, Dom.

[@susanscott8653]

Having not seen this movie when it first came out, it has long since become one of my favourite movies. It combines comedy with moments which are heartwarming and heartbreaking - "you're alive! If you wanted, I could fly." - for example. This is IMO its strength and the secret of its success. Thanks for the review.

[@evelynnkreunen8361]

3:55 when a british man said y’all that i didn’t notice before my first three times viewing

[@williamblack2904]

They do get away. There’s a epilogue book.

[@LucyLioness100]

I have to keep telling my mom that

[@robintaberner]

Its ‘never get involved in a land war in South East Asia’ I think you’ll find

[@johnhobson9165]

It's actually a quote from Douglas MacArthur of all people, "Never get involved with a land war in Asia."

[@colinvandenberg3446]

My dad read the book, and he said that style was hard to get through at times.

[@hannahg5407]

This movie holds a big chunk of my heart💖

[@bsabruzzo]

Wait... the Dom thinks the author of the book should write the screenplay? I think, then, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy should be on his list for this video series... and remember that it was a radio play before a book, then a TV serial and finally a movie, all written by the author and all different. It might even have to be a two or three parter to go into all its incarnations.

[@weedsprouts]

I read this as a preteen and sent a request for the missing reunion scene as the author suggested. I don't even think I expected a reply, but eventually I received an apologetic letter (about a year later? maybe... my memories are finicky regarding the passage of time) saying he could in fact not send me the scene. My little twelve year old heart was crushed 😅

[@TotallyHuman]

me: Should I cringe at all the antics and rip-off lines he's doing? Me: Nope! *giggles like a schoolgirl with a crush*

[@Fyrsiel]

I used to listen to the audiobook a bunch, and the one line that always slings back into my memory is "HERE COME THE KING BATS!"

[@MrWereWolfGirl]

You should also do Ella enchanted and Warm bodies- both movies are okay but books are waaaaay different :D

[@EyreAffair]

Ao Tora Seconding Warm Bodies as well as The Last Unicorn!

[@TJSchongar]

The fact that you did this movie made both my and my husband's day :) Also, I've so enjoyed watching all these videos! You do great work!

[@tremorsfan]

My favorite bit of trivia is that Goldman got the title from his two daughters. He asked them what his next book should be about and one said "A princess" while the other said "A bride".

[@UnknownUnknown-mo7zg]

I loved the movie, and it's one of those crazy classics you love from the depths of your heart.

[@211Shinobu]

Great video! Not surprising the film is faithful as William Goldman wrote the screenplay and was given complete freedom to adapt his baby as he saw fit without studio interference. Being a two time Oscar winning screenwriter has its perks. According to Cary Elwes, Goldman was on set when the fire swamp scene was shot and freaked out when Buttercup's dress caught on fire even though he wrote the scene and knew it was coming. They had to shoot it again because he ruined the first take by screaming.

[@frankm.2850]

The Star Wars prequels were a crummy love story in a crummier political thriller/war film. The Princess Bride is a sappy love story that drives a hilarious, fun adventure flick. Totally different.

[@tippyd2770]

So don't ask me who it was because it's been about 14 years, but freshman year film class, we had a guest speaker my teacher knew (I really say it was Rob Reiner, I'm like 90% certain it was based on where he lived/where my teacher lived and the kind of acting work they both got but I don't wanna commit to that guess in case I'm wrong.) who was part of the production of the film. He told us that the screenplay originally included the much more grandiose torture dungeon and all it's bells and whistles but had to be super toned down because they had nowhere near the budget to accommodate it. He never mentioned if all the pirate ships were included originally so I can't say if that's also a budget issue.

[@SophieHatterLeFay]

Do the fault in our stars! The author was very involved with the film

[@demondollee]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that Mighty Boosh reference?

[@a.jherbert5436]

EELS UP INSIDE YA. FINDIN' AN ENTRANCE WHERE THEY CAN.

[@drekfletch]

One of the few movies that is improved by reading the book. All the little nods like the horses, and the 4 guards with the Count that Inigo mows down.

[@user-DullardBones]

3:26 -- And those of us who watch Saberspark immediately hear No-sus.

[@msmichellewinchester]

I agree with you completely! I love both the book and the movie, but for different reasons. There were times when I was reading the book and wished the original version actually existed, because I'm a sucker for details and Buttercup's etiquette training probably wouldn't be boring for me :D. Though she really was insufferable. One of the main reasons why I loved the book so much was the amount of focus Fezzik and Inigo recieved. So one of my biggest regrets about the original book not existing is the fact that it was supposed to have even more Inigo and Fezzik in it, but Goldman "left it out" because he wanted to focus on the romance between Buttercup and Westley. Why, I don't know.

[@PS-dm1dq]

faithfuller16 Honestly I think he wanted to "focus on the romance" just so he could piss all over it. If you read all his notes in the book, he goes on and on about how basically love is stupid, he's bitter about his failed marriage, blah blah blah. He has at least one scene in his weird, out of story notes in which he implies that he believes that love ends once someone is no longer the most attractive thing in the world. It really seems like he wrote this whole story just as a way to express his cynical views on romance in general. He seems to be deliberately trying to create an unlikable heroine, and trying to portray their love as being nothing more than an illusion brought on by her good looks and a lot of starry eyed nonsense.

[@ZoidFile]

Your blue-screening and editing is very well done, good job and thank you.

[@TWKReviewsOLD]

A Mighty Boosh reference? And one of their best episodes? You sir, have earned quite a lot of rad points for that.

[@Djinnk042]

I'd love love to see you do one of my favorites growing up:The City of Ember, A Series of Unfortunate Events, or the Chronicles of Narnia.

[@ashleyh249]

i would love to see Stardust and Beautiful Creatures.

[@toffletorte]

Stardust would be great. I saw the movie before I read the book, but I love them both.

[@arizonaicedtea1361]

eziraphale Really? Personally I really liked the movie better, the books ending really felt rushed

[@TheMonyarm]

After hearing about how the book contained what was essentially a giant underground dungeon filled with all manner of animals, I had to go double check when the book was released, and when D&D was released. D&D came out 1 year after this book.

[@Hewylewis]

Awesome review, dude! What's next? Jaws, The Howling, The Last Unicorn, what?

[@LucyLioness100]

“Jaws” would be an interesting video. I’d love to see Dom’s reaction to how much of assholes the three leads were in the book compared to more likable in the film (though Quint is still a crusty seaman)

[@karenwapinski4822]

This is actually one of my favorite books, it's hard to pin down why exactly other than I just love the writing. It's such a basic fairy tale fantasy trope story, beautiful but kinda dim witted girl falls in love with handsome, secretly badass guy and he saves her from suitably evil prince/duke/cardinal/etc. And I'll be damned if the story isn't adorable. I love how the author skips over 'boring' parts like her princess training by saying stuff like the original book had chapters and chapters dedicated to Buttercup learning courtly manners etc but he says his father used to just skip over that and summarize it so that's what he's doing too and shoves it all into a single paragraph. The main characters are all likable and Westley really got my ten year old heart beating. It's the kind of story that both makes fun of typical fantasy tropes while also playing them out excellently, sort of what the original Scream did to horror movies, and I just love it.

[@Etsuk0]

I wasnt expecting the mighty boosh to drop in a princess bride review ... But i'm delighted

[@mrfreddorenton]

Lovely background music this time

[@sleepysartorialist]

That bit about Fezig (sp?) being forced into a life as a prize fighter as a child is actually closer to André the Giant’s real life story which would explain why it wasn’t in the book. Cause...real dude.

[@brycevo]

This movie is amazing, and much better than the book. It's also Meta³

[@CaminoAir]

Goldman said the reason he created Morgenstern and the idea of abridging an existing novel is because he could not find a way to directly link sections of the story together that he was happy with. So the abridgement is his work-around, allowing him an excuse to jump between sequences.

[@Shmaples]

I don't know why but I laughed entirely too much at that baby death scene... It's a real skill to be able to make nightmares and dead babies funny.

[@p1nkelephants]

I'm glad you said Buttercup was useless. I thought I was the only one who thought it.

[@13579lazlo]

I agree. Both the book and the film are awesome. I would say this is the only time that both the book and the film are both a joy to see, read.

[@teresasevy1563]

I felt the exact same way when I read the book. The movie is just different enough that it doesn't feel like a copy, but similar enough to know it's the same story we love. Yes, the book is genius! The inro talks about getting the book for his son. He had no son!

[@starshapedseal]

It's so true! While I wish they delved more into Humperdink's character, which has this amazing and almost apathetic development in the book, this movie was so close to the book that my mind was blown.

[@WonderfulAkari]

I prefer the movie but I've read the book. I don't think all authors should write screen plays, but they should be consulted on the writing. I think it was very lucky that the author also happened to know how to do screen plays because it turned out beautiful!

[@Juxtavarious]

Writing a book and writing a screenplay are two entirely different things. I could see wanting them on the team though.

[@yamiatemyugi]

The Princess Bride theme music makes me feel nostalgic I have no idea why.

[@artgirlasmr1980]

“You changed my movie slightly. Prepare to die.” [lowers sword] I wonder why my family won’t watch movies with me anymore. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@alanpennie8013]

Has a story ever had more memorable catchphrases than this one? As you wish, mostly dead, never play chess with a Sicilian, My name is Inigo Montoya, The Dread Pirate Roberts, to the pain. I'm sure there's plenty of others I didn't think of.

[@Chronos341]

You have no idea how excited I get when I see a new episode of this show go up. Especially when it's something like this, I get way more excited because I've actually read this book!!

[@meimei8718]

Good video. I didn’t know there were so many differences between the book and movie. I love the move. Very nostalgic,

[@frankm.2850]

That guitar riff never fails to create a knot in my stomach. Also, I really need to get around to actually reading this. I saw the movie probably half a dozen times growing up, and again in college. "Have fun storming the castle" played every time the family computer was turned off when I was in elementary/middle school.

[@frankm.2850]

I really hope you'll review "Ready Player One" once the movie comes out. Ernest Cline wrote the book and he's also been heavily involved in the production (right down to being involved in casting) so it promises to be pretty solid.

[@gmatgmat]

"..apparently a gifted screenwriter as well..." raindrops keep falling on my head... LOL