The Princess Bride © Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: William Goldman
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Parinkin, Chris Sarandon, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Andre the Giant
Production Company: Act III Communications, Buttercup Films Ltd.
Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place
Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and Count Rugen (Christopher Guest) duelling © Lionsgate Home Entertainment
The Princess Bride (1987) is cult fantasy film, based on the 1973 book of the same name, written by William Goldman. A stable boy named Westley (Cary Elwes) confesses his love to an enchanting woman named Buttercup (Robin Wright) but their happiness is cut short when Westley is reportedly murdered by blood thirsty pirates. Fearing that her love will never return, Buttercup becomes engaged to a cruel king and they plan to wed. However, as the wedding ceremony begins, so does an invasion of the castle by an unlikely trio of men. Will there be a happy ending after all?
This film is a unique and daring spin on the classic fairy tale formula, complete with sword fights, damsels in distress, magic potions and heroic heroes.
The films cast includes Cary Elwes (Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Saw) as Westley, Robin Wright (Forrest Gump, Beowulf) as the Princess Bride, Mandy Patinkin (Homeland, Dead Like Me) as Inigo Montoya, Chris Sarandon (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Child’s Play) as Prince Humperdinck, Fred Savage (The Wonder Years, The Grinder) as The Grandson, Peter Falk (Columbo, Murder by Death) as The Grandfather and Andre the Giant (WWF, Conan the Destroyer) as Fezzik.
Production visited Penshurst Place and used the Barons Hall as the setting for the confrontation between Inigo Montoya and Count Rugen (Christopher Guest). Penshurst Place is a grand estate located in the Weald of Kent with extensive grounds spanning 48 acres. Due to its medieval architecture, the house and grounds are a popular filming location and have previously been used in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), the BBC fantasy series Merlin (2008), and thriller movie The Gathering (2003).
The Princess Bride was first released in November 1987 and is now available to buy on DVD.
For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.
