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Post by LongBlade on Dec 18, 2004 14:51:36 GMT -6
The Princess Bride Reviewed by Holly E. OrdwayGood fantasy movies are few and far between. Even more so than science fiction, it’s a genre that moviemakers seem to have trouble getting a handle on, thus making The Princess Bride a rarity: a fantasy film that works. The combination of a fun adventure story with satiric humor means that The Princess Bride is enjoyable for both kids and adults, with the older and the younger set appreciating different elements of the movie. It also bears re-watching very well, which is a definite bonus for a family film. Everyone who has seen the film will have their own favorite moments; mine is the cliff-top fencing scene with Íñigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and “the man in black,” which I appreciate even more each time I watch it. In a side note, as a fencer, I can attest that the swordfighting scenes are extremely well done. I cringe during the fencing scenes in most movies because I can’t help but notice how unrealistic and obviously choreographed they are... but in The Princess Bride, the fencing scenes are both dramatic and realistic, which is, I assure you, a rare thing in the movies. Interestingly, the actors themselves trained extensively to perform the fencing scenes: no stunt doubles were used. www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=2&c=225
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Post by schlager7 on Jan 2, 2005 9:21:49 GMT -6
This will get a lot of purists to rag on me, but...
I have always loved that flick. Whether you are talking about the dialogue or the fencing, it stays crisp and clean, with excellent sense of timing.
Now, I will insert here that, while neither Cary Elwes nor Mandy Patinkin are employing the actual techniques of a given fencing master at the point that they name that master in their duel... THEY ARE NAMING ACTUAL FENCING MASTERS WHOSE TEXTS SURVIVE TO THIS DAY.
In addition to giving us a visually beautiful dance to the music of three feet of steel, at least a few intrigued souls have begun their exploration of period fencing by looking up those names. I have corresponded with several folks who have told me, categorically, that this scene put them on the road.
This does not even take into account those who got into sports fencing via this film.
I am reminded how small moments before the eyes of millions (like a film audience) can do wonders.
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