Please note this is ONLY open to those in North America... Because its a DVD & the book, the DVD will only work in DVD players in North America (Thanks Pepper!!!!)


This started over in the book talk thread, but there are some that haven't seen the movie or read the book... I must admit.. I haven't read the book yet, and I have it. :blush:

Anyway.. the book is part of my personal collection, but since I know (as well as anyone can online know someone) and trust y'all here... I'm gonna do a ring with them.

Anyone who has seen and read the book, please feel free to comment and let us know the best way to read/watch... if it's watch the movie then read the book, or read the book, then watch the movie. :wink:

The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
by WILLIAM GOLDMAN



Please respond here if you would like to join this ring.


Ring:
CheriePie
cheesygiraffe
darkpunkangel
Breeze
ctgmom
boogal

Oh.. yeah.. about the book stuff......


The Barnes & Noble Review
Originally published in 1972, William Goldman's delightful, so-called "abridgement" of S. Morgenstern's classic swashbuckling tale of true love and epic adventure, The Princess Bride, has reached an enormous audience, thanks greatly to Rob Reiner's wonderful film version featuring Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, and William Goldman's sharp and vivacious screenplay. If you enjoyed the movie -- and I've never met a person who didn't -- you're certain to treasure this 25th-anniversary editon for many years to come. If you haven't yet delved into its enchanting pages, you'll find it utterly delightful, romantic, and entertaining read.
Because I saw "The Princess Bride" (many times now) well before I picked up Goldman's abridgement, I took it on with some reservation: How can anything possibly live up to that sharp and engaging movie? I was bucking for a serious letdown. Well, wasn't I surprised to discover that the film masterfully recreated the novel's brilliance? The sidesplitting humor, the appealing mood, and the romantic atmosphere are not unique to the film; these traits were lifted straight from Goldman's pages. Not only do I now have a deeper respect for Goldman's screenplay, but I have a fuller understanding of the fabulous characters that grace Reiner's film.

Remember Inigo Montoya -- the Spanish master swordsman whose life ambition is to find the evil six-fingered man who killed his father? Who can forget his famous line: "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed father, prepare to die"? And Fezzik, the tenderhearted giant who -- although weak-minded -- is powerful in physical strength and loyalty. And of course, Westley and Buttercup who, as symbols of true love and unblemished perfection, must suffer greatly before they can be truly joined. While the movie does an excellent job familiarizing us with their individual stories, Goldman's novel grasps who these characters really are and how each ended up in common struggle. The novel adds a significant dimension to the story that -- believe it or not -- makes each character even more unforgettable.

Goldman's story is without a doubt a timeless classic. The sharp wit, snappy dialogue, and wonderful characters that engrossed us in the film spring to remarkable life in the novel. Experience the high adventure and the true love of The Princess Bride all over again.

--Andrew LeCount


Annotation
With over one million copies in print, S. Morgenstern's classic fantasy, in the abridged "good parts" version by William Goldman, is a readers' favorite.

From the Publisher
Once upon a time came a story so full of high adventure and true love that it became an instant classic and won the hearts of millions. Now in hardcover in America for the first time since 1973 (in its native Florin, it has been on the Florinese Times bestseller list continuously since the week it was published), this special edition of The Princess Bride is a true keepsake for devoted fans as well as those lucky enough to discover it for the first time. S. Morgenstern's timeless tale -- discovered and wonderfully abridged by William Goldman -- pits country against country, good against evil, love against hate. From the Cliffs of Insanity through the Fire Swamp and down into the Zoo of Death, this incredible journey and brilliant tale is peppered with strange beasties both monstrous and gentle, and memorable surprises both terrible and sublime.

Synopsis
Originally published in 1972, William Goldman's delightful abridgement of S. Morgenstern's classic tale of true love and epic adventure, The Princess Bride, has reached an enormous audience, thanks greatly to Rob Reiner's wonderful film version featuring Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, and William Goldman's sharp and vivacious screenplay. If you enjoyed the movie, you're certain to treasure the newly published 25th-anniversary edition for many years to come. It's a delightful, romantic, and entertaining read.

From The Critics
Los Angeles Times
One of the funniest, most original and deeply moving novels I have read in a long time.

My personal 2 cents' worth is:

1) Watch the movie (since it uses only the "good" ending) - It's a classic

2) Read the book (then, you can decide whether or not you want to read past the "good" ending to reveal the "bad" ending) - It's also a classic, IMHO

I saw the movie first, and now that I've read the book, I can't help but think of the book's alternate "bad" ending every time I see the movie. I wouldn't want that to get in the way of seeing the movie for the first time.

-Nan

Well, I've never read the book, but my personal rule is always to watch the movie first.

The movie invariably leaves things out that were in the book, and if I've recently read the book, I sometimes get upset about it. If I haven't read the book yet or if I have read the book long enough ago that I don't remember every detail, I don't get upset.

Movies and books are two completely different art forms and I find it much easier to enjoy both for what they are if I see the movie first... or see the movie a long time after I've read the book.

Also... you do know you're going to have to limit the DVD part of the ring to Region 1, yes? Unless people have special DVD players it won't play otherwise.

I saw the movie first and read the book several years later. Most people that I know watched the movie first. I don't know if that is the best way, but it is what I'm going to recommend.

And I am looking forward to hearing how those of you who've never watched/read it react to it. The movie is my favorite movie of all time (the only movie that I can watch over and over again and not get tired of) and the book is in my top 10 of all time. I just hope with these high expectations that it doesn't disappoint anyone!

I didn't know that! Good thing you said something. I just figured a DVD would play in any DVD player. :bash:

Okay sign me up! I know I saw the movie a long time ago, but I don't really remember much of the story at all.

Are you going to send both together?

I guess since I started the scandal first, that I'd better sign up. :)

Sign me up too please! :bananadance:

Yep!

Noo... DVDs are coded by region. Your DVD will only play in DVD players made in North America.

Count me in!!!!

Personally, I watched the movie 100 times (and nearly had it memorized) before I ever read the book; it is NOT one of those movies that will ruin the book for you!

:lol: How do movies ruin the book?

I've never had that happen... I've had the reverse, but not that...

I've had it happen... The two I can remember were Matchstick Men & Fight Club I read part of the books, and ended up just tossing it aside, because I kept knowing what would happen next.

Then again I'm just one of those that really needs to read the book first... but I end up watching the movie saying stuff like.. It would have been so much better had that put that in the movie. :rolleyes:

Please add me to the list too!

I love the movie, but never read the book. Since it's been awhile since I've seen it, hopefully I won't remember too much of the movie.

I guess I can see that. I know they're planning on making a movie of Lois Lowry's The Giver, and I cannot imagine how they're going to pull that off. The whole moment when you realize what is happening could not possibly be done right in a movie and any way they try will completely ruin that moment in the book for anyone who hasn't read it.

Me too, please!

I've always wanted to read the book and I love the movie. I do own it on VHS, though. Does the DVD have extras?

Dunno... I usually end up just watching the movie, and not much else of the dvd. :shrug: Guess you'll find out when the ring gets to you. :wink:

If you have either the Special edition or the Dread Pirate edition DVD, yes they both have extras. There is a funny story that Goldman tells about the Fire Swamp in the extras. Also there is a funny story about Andre the Giant and Samuel Beckett. :bash: Go watch the extras NMZ!!!

hmm... I'll have to see what version I have... I know I have the vhs, and the DVD... or maybe my ex-husband has the vhs. :shrug:

I don't need to participate (I own both the DVD- several versions, and the book) but I just wanted to say how cool an idea this is! I'm one of those people who knows the movie by heart, word-for-word. I'm always giving the book or DVD to friends/family as gifts :D

I hope everyone has a good time with this ring!! Great idea, needmorezoloft!