Behind the Screen

Featuring “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles . . .” and boasting memorable characters with some of the most often-quoted and instantly recognizable lines, The Princess Bride attracts a striking variety of followers. Author MaryAnn Johanson interviews the actors, writers, and various film experts to dissect how and why the film succeeds in blending this wide range of elements into a single, satisfying film that legions of fans rank among their favorites.