The Princess Bride Continues to Enchant Fans 40 Years Later

In 2025, nearly four decades after the release of the beloved fantasy film The Princess Bride, actor Chris Sarandon, who played Prince Humperdinck, reflects on the enduring legacy of the movie. Sarandon, now 83 years old, notes that the film was not an immediate success but has found a devoted audience over time.

One particularly memorable encounter Sarandon had was with a woman who approached him, holding up a battered VHS copy of the film. She told him that she would carry the tape with her and show it to friends, saying, "Have you seen this?" Sarandon laughs, calling her "an evangelist for The Princess Bride."

The actor also recalls meeting one of Utah's attorneys general, who informed him that "every home in Utah owns a copy of The Princess Bride." Sarandon attributes the film's enduring popularity to its lack of offensive content, with no sex and very little violence, as well as its moral lessons that appeal to a wide audience. Despite its fantastical elements, the movie also allows viewers to be both cynical and romantic.

The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner, blends fantasy, comedy, and romance, and was financed by Norman Lear, who also produced Reiner's earlier films, including This Is Spinal Tap and Stand by Me.