--- title: "The Princess Bride: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Princess Bride (1987): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to The Princess Bride, praising its ability to entertain children while giving adults more than a few knowing jokes. Praise centres on William Goldman’s witty screenplay and Rob Reiner’s handling of the fairy-tale adventure: the humour rarely spoils the affection for the story being told. The ensemble also draws strong notices, with Mandy Patinkin singled out for bringing conviction and comic energy to the swordplay. The reviews differ chiefly over how well the adventure and spoof fit together, though the spread is largely favourable rather than sharply divided. Time Out finds the tone unsteady and the leads empty, while Variety also objects to a central couple who generate little passion and a script that does not support the horseplay. Eye for Film offers a milder reservation within an enthusiastic response, finding some moments too sentimental and the framing device unnecessary. ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2013. The critic describes the film as a warm and silly fairy-tale played with giddy delight, directed with humour by Rob Reiner and written with authority by William Goldman. They single out the affectionate comic tone, postmodern storytelling elements and the exaggerated but treasured ensemble performances for making it an unqualified success. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/princess-bride-review/) ## The Guardian — Derek Malcolm Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 March 1988. The critic praises Rob Reiner for triumphantly adapting William Goldman's half-serious fairy tale, transcending the spoof sword-and-sorcery genre by treating children with respect and blending adult humour with childlike fantasy. Strong, steely performances from the cast help avoid camp and deliver fun for parents and offspring alike. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/24/princess-bride-review-derek-malcolm-1988) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 1987. The critic calls the film swashbuckling, bright, breezy and delightful, praising its witty lines that work on multiple levels and Rob Reiner's confident direction that avoids gratuitous effects while fitting the theme perfectly. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/princess-bride-review-movie-rob-reiner-1987-1236385438/) ## Radio Times — John Ferguson Rating 4/5. Reiner follows Stand by Me with this curious but charming fable that balances child-friendly adventure with adult chuckles. An eclectic cast including Patinkin, Crystal and Guest makes it an unexpected family delight. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ry6pgm/the-princess-bride/) ## Slant Magazine — Arthur Ryel-Lindsey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 November 2007. The review highlights the film's remarkable forwardness, honesty, and humor, crediting William Goldman's screenplay for its insightful one-liners and efficient storytelling, along with Reiner's apt casting that captures the folkloric tone. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-princess-bride/) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The story mixes traditional fantasy with knowing commentary on its conventions but the tone wavers between adventure and spoof, with vacuous leads and forced absurdities. It still has innocent charm that kids will enjoy, thanks especially to Guest and Patinkin. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-princess-bride) ## Los Angeles Times — Michael Wilmington 25 September 1987. Director Rob Reiner’s film is a purer piece of escapism: a gently sophisticated, tongue-in-cheek barrage of wry swordplay and blithe sorcery. It has more comic depth thanks to Goldman’s script and Reiner’s sure-handed touch, with lovable characters and a special triumph in Mandy Patinkin’s Inigo. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-25-ca-6496-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert 9 October 1987. The film works on two levels as both an engaging fairy tale for younger viewers and a sly parody of sword-and-sorcery epics for adults. Reiner succeeds by doing justice to the underlying form while delivering good-hearted fun and memorable supporting performances. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-princess-bride-1987) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin 25 September 1987. The Princess Bride succeeds as a full-length fairy tale thanks to its sweetness, sincerity, delightful cast and a gentle, disarming style that wins over even a skeptical young listener. Reiner handles the material with fundamental niceness, presenting it as a pure bedtime story without excess silliness or broad parody. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/25/movies/film-princess-bride-full-length-fairy-tale.html) ## Variety 1 January 1987. This post-modern fairy tale challenges and affirms genre conventions but is hampered by a screenplay that doesn’t fully support the horseplay. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as the central couple are nearly comatose and inspire little passion. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/the-princess-bride-1200427068/) ## Eye for Film — Max Crawford Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 31 July 2007. The critic calls it marvellous entertainment for all ages and endlessly rewatchable, praising the charming humour, excellent swordfights, and satisfying revenge sequence while noting some overly sentimental moments and the unnecessary framing device. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-princess-bride-film-review-by-stuart-crawford) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md