As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

I pre-ordered the book as soon as I heard about it, since The Princess Bride has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it in the theater so many years ago.The book does not disappoint and the short review is thus:If you're a fan of THIS movie, just buy the book.If you'd like a behind the scenes look of what goes on to get a movie made, buy this book. I can't emphasize this enough. By twenty-five percent in, I'd already learned more about the process of making a movie (findind the talent, what it feels like to learn to sword fight, the purpose of a table-read, et al) than any other book or show I've ever seen. If you've never seen "The Princess Bride" - it's not required.If you're the type of person who likes to watch A&E Biographies or VHI1's "Behind the Music" or even "Inside The Actor's Studio" with James Lipton - BUY THIS BOOK.If you're looking for a gritty, largely negative tell-all, you'll be disappointed.______________________________________My longer review (largely spoiler free):The first thing that struck me about the telling was the light tone of the book. The first several times I read "as you wish" (the phrase in the book - which shows up a few times in the first five or so pages), I did cringe a little bit. I also very quickly picked up that Mr. Elwes gives what I could only think of as a "rose colored glasses look back" at how the movie came to be.But you know what? It works wonderfully. A lovingly crafted movie about a fairy tale deserves a fairy tale look back at how it all came to be. One also begins to realize that Cary landed the role and played the part like his real life had taken on fairy tale proportions as well.The book is not perfect. There are a few times where Mr. Elwes is a bit repetitive, and perhaps a few times where some segments go on longer than they need to. However, I still give it five stars because overall, the book is extremely engaging - a page burner, if you will. More importantly, we get to see a veritible diary's honesty as if written in between takes of the movie.The author is quite self-deprecating and one can't express enough how refreshing it is. Once again, I find myself wishing, like I did back in 1987, that I could see Cary Elwes up on screen a whole lot more.Once I started getting deeper into the "story", as it were, Cary really finds his voice. I had no idea going in that this wasn't just a bunch of cutesy stories about how Andre got drunk or other tidbits you might hear about on set. No way. Again, in a very conversational tone by someone who obviously loved the experience, Cary regales us with inifinite details that frankly, I'm astounded he remembers. Right down to snacks being served on silver platters in one of the hotels.I loved his chapter on sword-fighting. Granted, I'm a fantasy/sci-fi geek from way back who thought the swordfight in the movie was absolutely fantastic, but hearing how much he had to train and work for that scene only gave me greater appreciation for the effort. (Probably not the least of one of his reasons for devoting a bit of time for that in his book! Mr. Elwes had to work his butt off!)One other note about the tone of the book: I can nearly hear Cary's "English Accent" as he narrates the book. (I put that in quotes, because I can't think of Cary Elwes without thinking of his line from "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" where he says, "Unlike some Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English Accent!") ;) I almost started to feel like a new actor on a set, he relays the feelings that well. Cary, if I may call him that, lets you get inside his head, revealing his own insecurities and feelings.There were many points while reading that I found myself smiling. I had to come back to this review to point that out. It's quite simply, that enjoyable of a read.The book is also surprisingly hefty. I figured.. "How many anecdotes can this guy tell? I mean, I love the movie and I've been a fan of Cary Elwes since he made it, but .. haven't we heard them all?"Not by a long shot. And the (numerous!) quotes from Rob Reiner and other cast members were a complete joy to read and something of a surprise, since I didn't know they were included as well.One thing about some actors that has made me cringe is when beloved movies become an embarrassment for them. The fear of type casting is taken to new heights (or whatever their motivation). Sure, I can appreciate an actor begrudging that a movie you make when you're 25 is the greatest thing you've ever done - and you always want to think that your best is yet to come.Thankfully, Mr. Elwes has never been "that guy" and it shows in the book he's written. One can tell from reading that he understood how lucky he was at the time and has appreciated it ever since. It warms the heart finding out that he's as much a fan of the story (and eventually, of the movie) as any other fan was.You know how some DVD bonuses involve actors or directors running around with behind the scenes cameras? Getting to see the creation of the movie? "The Lord of the Rings" comes to mind and on the "Dread Pirate Roberts" version of the DVD, this film has a fair amount. But, no amount of behind the scenes started when Cary Elwes was still on the set of another movie...it's that comprehensive.Besides there never seems to be enough footage - a fan of the movie or a movie buff can't get enough of this stuff. I know in my case, I couldn't put the book down!Just like there's a shortage of perfect... tell-alls, in this world (Sorry, had to go there! What fan wouldn't include his/her favorite quote? :) ) It would be a pity if you missed this one.

This book was marked very good but they should have marked it Brand New. It has never been opened and in perfect shape. Getting it in the mail was quick but book shipping takes forever. Could not be happier.

This a touching and funny group of stories about the making of that superb film: The Princess Bride. My kids loved the film, so we got it a home, with the original book, and this series of small stories. If you have not seen the movie, check on YouTube, for instance a hilarious extract called mawage (mispronounced by the priest for marriage).

Wonderful collection of memories of the actors and actresses who had roles in The Princess Bride as well as the author and director. Written by the lead, male star of the movie, it is a heartwarming collector of interviews plus some actual photos. The movie still resonates with people after a quarter of a century. Well worth reading if you liked the movie.

Great book! If you liked The Princess Bride, you have got to read this!

I first listened To this book with my brother and his family while we were traveling, and absolutely loved it. It was awesome to listen to gather with them and recall how fantastic this movie was I found the about the book to read myself do not regret it.

As You Wish by Cary Elwes, with inputs from other actors/actresses, etc from the movie, was a good summary of all that it took to make the movie, with more of a personal touch from Cary.Cary describes the locations, each person involved with the making of the movie, and plenty of funny anecdotes from filming it.If you love the movie, you should like this book, and actually reading this book, led me to watching the movie, as its the 35th anniversary of its release.It's more a memoir than a biography.A lot of the actors involved in the Princess Bride, I'd never heard of, or vaguely know. Billy Crystal being the obvious one I knew, Andre the Giant, from wrestling, and Cary Elwes, not by his real name, but more his characters in several movies, like Twister, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Kiss The Girls.Reading this made me appreciate the work that goes into making a movie.

The Man in Black strikes again! Written by Cary Elwes, the actor who played Wesley, this is an amazing book. It is an autobiography, but with a very tight focus - it's specifically about the filming of The Princess Bride, and only deviates from that to add extra depth to the story. You will hear stories behind the scenes that are just as amazing, in their own way, as the movie is itself! I heard about this book from a friend, and had to order it just from his description alone.It's hard to not give out any spoilers and still tell you how amazing this book is! I'll give you one small spoiler: You know the fight between Inigo and the Man in Black on the edge of the Cliffs of Insanity? Yeah, they didn't use any stunt doubles or professional swordsmen for that scene, except for the part where the Man in Black does the loop-de-loop on the bar. All that fencing, that's the actual actors doing that. They had to learn all that fencing, and they are using real swords. There's actually more to that fight scene that makes it even more amazing than that, but spoilers... so I will say no more, because I think I've made my point, which is that the story behind the story is as amazing as the story itself, and Cary Elwes does an amazing job of telling it.If you are a Princess Bride fan and you choose not to read this book, you are doing yourself a disservice. I don't know how else to say it. Get it at your library, buy it here, borrow it from a friend, whatever, but read it. You can thank me later.

Der Film ist Kult - für alle, die gerne Märchen mögen, das Kind im Erwachsenen nicht abgewürgt haben und hier vom subtilen Humor angenehm überrascht werden.Elwes' Buch ist ein Making of aus seiner persönlichen Sicht. Das ist zum Einen einfach nur deshalb genial, weil man. in eine Filmproduktion und eintaucht - in allen Bereichen, denn Elwes, inzwischen selbst Produzent, weiß, wovon er spricht.Zum Anderen sind Story, Film und das ganze Feeling rund um alle Beteiligten tatsächlich ganz besonders und der Grund, warum dieser Film eine große und generationsübergreifende Fangemeinde hat.Diese Hingabe einer Filmfamilie, die jeden Tag der Produktion genossen hat, ist im gesamtem Buch spürbar - die Hintergrundstories, Wortbeiträge von Schauspielern, Regisseur und Produzent liefern ihre Sichtweisen zu Elwes' ausführlicher Schilderung.Ein Muss für alle Fans.

Es un interesante libro que cuenta la historia del rodaje de la mítica “La Princesa prometida” desde la perspectiva de su protagonista masculino, Cary Elwes.El libro es divertido, ágil y se lee con rapidez. Incluye entrevistas con casi todos los miembros del reparto y responsables de producción.Para los amantes de ese clásico del cine es una manera de redescubrir la película y a sus protagonistas. Me ha gustado bastante, la verdad.

Ottimo libro,in lingua inglese,sulla realizzazione del film The princess bride (La storia fantastica).Mi è piaciuto molto,contiene anche belle foto del film.Consigliato agli appassionati del film.

This book is pretty much exactly like the movie itself: fun to read, insightful & heartwarming. If you're looking for "dirt" on the stars, the set, etc, you will not find it here: everyone (except Wallace Shawn, apparently) seemed to have such a good time on it, & that is Cary Elwes has chosen to focus on: the fun they all had making it. Very easy read from Elwes himself, with a slew of little snippets/comments/etc with all the major players - from the author/screenwriter, thru the director, & the rest of the major cast (excepting, of course, André the Giant, who had already passed away by the time this memoir was written). A great read, & i highly recommend it.

Very interesting to read about how the movie came about and all the things that went on on the set. Interesting to 'hear' from the various people themselves. I have to go back and watch the movie (yet again!) to pick up on some of the things Cary said to watch out for. Light reading as expected. Would recommend to all lovers of the Princess Bride.