Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. A grandfather (Falk) reads his sick grandson (Savage) the story of The Princess Bride, a novel by S. Morgenstern. Buttercup (Wright) is the most beautiful woman in the world. She loves Westley (Elwes), but after he is killed at the hands of the Dread Pirate Roberts, she is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck (Sarandon), who, with his faithful aide Count Rugen (Guest), plans to start a war with a neighboring province with the help of a genius criminal named Vizzini (Shawn) and his henchmen Inigo (Patinkin) and Fezzik (Andre). Humperdinck's machinations set in motion a wonderful tale of true love, revenge, daring, and miracles that boils down the best that fairy tales offer into one pure, beautiful story with just a hint of self-aware satire.

Not only is this one of my favorite movies of all time, and not only does it feature one of the best swordfights in modern cinema, but The Princess Bride is probably the most quotable movie ever made. Goldman's script is wonderful, full of brilliant one-liners and satirical humor but equally full of heart. This is a movie about true love, and the love between Westley and Buttercup is so pure, so perfect, so unreal that you have two choices: dismiss it as sickeningly sweet and clichè, or buy into it wholeheartedly and let yourself get swept up in it. Goldman makes sure you do the latter. It doesn't hurt that the ensemble cast is great; they have fun with the material, which is vital for the swashbuckling element of it, but they also invest the characters with enough humanity to make you care about the romance and the drama as well. Elwes and Patinkin deserve special credit here; Westley and Inigo are probably the most rounded characters in the script, but these two actors bring the words to life without missing a beat.

Reiner is a miracle worker for getting this film made at all on a relatively small budget, but he also deserves kudos for keeping Goldman's vision intact, assembling a great cast and giving them room to work, and setting a brisk pace that moves the story along. He and his production team also did a great job on the look of the movie, using England's natural beauty and some well-constructed sets to create a beautiful picture that does look like a fairy tale come to life. And while I'm praising the production values - Mark Knopfler does a great job with the score; it's the kind of music I can imagine a troubador playing as he spins a tale in a medieval royal court. Heck, just look at the credits and pick a name - odds are that person did a hell of a job in creating this movie. In fact, you should stop reading this review, and go watch the movie. With your kids, if you have any; with your brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, or any other readily available young people if you don't.

Have fun storming the castle.

• screenplay by William Goldman
• directed by Rob Reiner
• music by Mark Knopfler
• Cast: Cary Elwes (Westley), Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya), Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdinck), Christopher Guest (Count Tyron Rugen), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Andrè the Giant (Fezzik), Fred Savage (Grandson), Robin Wright (Buttercup), Peter Falk (Grandpa), Peter Cook (The Impressive Clergyman), Mel Smith (The Albino), Carol Kane (Valerie), Billy Crystal (Miracle Max), Anne Dyson (The Queen), Margery Mason (The Ancient Booer), Malcolm Storry (Yellin), Willoughby Gray (The King), Betsy Brantley (Mother), Paul Badger (The Assistant Brute)