You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.53k reviews for:
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes
4.25 AVERAGE
3.53k reviews for:
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes
4.25 AVERAGE
If you love the film The Princess Bride as much as I do, you MUST read this charming memoir by its leading man, Cary Elwes, or Dread Pirate Roberts/Wesley. Better yet, listen to the audiobook. Narrated by Wesley himself, as well as other members of the cast and Crew, including Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, Robin Wright, and Wallace Shawn, it's a delightful collection of stories about the making of one of the greatest films of all time. I loved all the stories about Cary's time on set, his interactions with Rob Reiner prior to making the film, his stories of Andre the Giant, Billy Crystal, and Carol Kane. I really enjoyed listening to how much love there was on set, how much everyone got along, and how they became a family. The film seems like it was a lot of fun to make and it turns out, it was. The joy audiences get from the film is a direct result of how much joy everyone got in making the film.
More specifically, all of the little anecdotes about particular scenes makes me want to watch it over and over again. I now know that Cary broke his toe while goofing around with Andre and had to limp around in certain scenes. I know that when Count Rugen, the six-fingered man, hits Wesley on top of his head with the butt of his sword, it was a real sword and a real hit that really knocked out Cary. So his fainting in that scene is completely real! Also, the ROUS's are actually little people in costumes, not animatronics. They simply didn't have the budget to create robotic rats. But while they are totally corny in the film, it actually makes the film more charming. There are so many more fun stories about the film but I'll stop there.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the film. Or even likes the film. Additionally, unlike most celebrity memoirs which make me end up disliking the celebrity by the end (looking at you, Miriam Margoyles) I found myself becoming endeared to Cary Elwes. He just seems like such a nice bloke. And they way he speaks so highly of his castmates Andre, Billy, Robin, etc. What a fun read/listen.
More specifically, all of the little anecdotes about particular scenes makes me want to watch it over and over again. I now know that Cary broke his toe while goofing around with Andre and had to limp around in certain scenes. I know that when Count Rugen, the six-fingered man, hits Wesley on top of his head with the butt of his sword, it was a real sword and a real hit that really knocked out Cary. So his fainting in that scene is completely real! Also, the ROUS's are actually little people in costumes, not animatronics. They simply didn't have the budget to create robotic rats. But while they are totally corny in the film, it actually makes the film more charming. There are so many more fun stories about the film but I'll stop there.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the film. Or even likes the film. Additionally, unlike most celebrity memoirs which make me end up disliking the celebrity by the end (looking at you, Miriam Margoyles) I found myself becoming endeared to Cary Elwes. He just seems like such a nice bloke. And they way he speaks so highly of his castmates Andre, Billy, Robin, etc. What a fun read/listen.
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
inspiring
a love letter to the film by those responsible for it’s amazingness! needed something not as heavy to break from other current reads & this was fun & warm… &, The Princess Bride, forever!
An enjoyable companion to the cult classic film and recommended for all fans of the film. There are no blow-you-out-of-the-water exposes or scandals lurking within, and I like it the better for it, to be honest. Fans of the film do not have to worry about having their nostalgia for the movie tarnished by stories of bratty on-set behavior, shady dealings, or have Elwes himself ruin his own image with the self-satisfied airs you get so often from celeb memoirs. Elwes's enthusiasm and affection for the film, his co-stars, and his director, is apparent throughout, and it feels genuine. It's almost like eavesdropping on goodnatured ribbing and camaraderie of a group of friends that have known each other a long time, but with absolutely no trace of smugness. One thing that is perfectly clear, is the cast appears to be united in graciously (and unironically) embracing their fandom.
I do not want to say too much to save the fun to be discovered, but if nothing else, after reading this, you will have a whole new appreciation and respect for the epic swordfighting scene between Inigo and the Man in Black. I can't imagine anyone who reads this doesn't immediately rewatch the film to see things with the new perspective, and so that in itself seems to point at a job well done.
I do not want to say too much to save the fun to be discovered, but if nothing else, after reading this, you will have a whole new appreciation and respect for the epic swordfighting scene between Inigo and the Man in Black. I can't imagine anyone who reads this doesn't immediately rewatch the film to see things with the new perspective, and so that in itself seems to point at a job well done.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
In my opinion, every movie/television show/theatre production that has carved its rightful place in the world as great art deserves a memoir like this. Especially if you have a cast that loves that thing as much as the cast of The Princess Bride loves The Princess Bride.
A lot of your enjoyment of this memoir will hinge on how much you love the movie, and I love this movie. It was my grandmother's favorite movie, which then became my mother's favorite movie, which then led her to introduce me to this movie, and I fell in love with it. The whole movie is a dream, from the gorgeous cinematography and the hilarious script to the incredible mix of genres that makes it a movie for everyone with a picture-perfect cast, including the only man who can ever be Westley, Cary Elwes.
Elwes not only became a legacy actor because of his role in the movie, but he also loves every moment he is reminded of this great moment in his life, because he loved every minute of making this movie. You can hear it in these "inconceivable tales" and in his voice when he tells them. Some memoirs are meant to be listened to as audiobooks, and this is one of them. There are some incredible guest testimonies from the likes of Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal (who seems to be telling his stories of filming the movie as Miracle Max via a phone call, which is the most Billy Crystal thing ever), Carol Kane, Christopher Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Andy Scheinman, and Rob Reiner (Mandy Patinkin and Fred Savage also have testimonies, but are spoken by Joe Layden). Each of these people loves The Princess Bride as much as Elwes, and their collective love is almost overwhelming. I teared up multiple times listening to each cast member recount their memories, physically feeling the love they share for this project and each other. Not only that, but you get some of the greatest impressions from Elwes. My favorite is his impression of the late great André René Roussimoff, aka Andre the Giant. Elwes has the most beautiful stories of his friend, and when he speaks through him, it's almost like he's still around to tell his own tales.
There are too many good stories to write about in this review, so I hope what I have written so far will make you want to read it for yourself. I'm glad I was given the chance to read it, and I hope everyone who has a favorite movie or show is given the chance to learn all about the behind-the-scenes. I know I'll be telling everyone I watch the movie with that Cary Elwes actually did get accidentally knocked out by Christopher Guest in the Fire Swamp scene.
A lot of your enjoyment of this memoir will hinge on how much you love the movie, and I love this movie. It was my grandmother's favorite movie, which then became my mother's favorite movie, which then led her to introduce me to this movie, and I fell in love with it. The whole movie is a dream, from the gorgeous cinematography and the hilarious script to the incredible mix of genres that makes it a movie for everyone with a picture-perfect cast, including the only man who can ever be Westley, Cary Elwes.
Elwes not only became a legacy actor because of his role in the movie, but he also loves every moment he is reminded of this great moment in his life, because he loved every minute of making this movie. You can hear it in these "inconceivable tales" and in his voice when he tells them. Some memoirs are meant to be listened to as audiobooks, and this is one of them. There are some incredible guest testimonies from the likes of Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal (who seems to be telling his stories of filming the movie as Miracle Max via a phone call, which is the most Billy Crystal thing ever), Carol Kane, Christopher Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Andy Scheinman, and Rob Reiner (Mandy Patinkin and Fred Savage also have testimonies, but are spoken by Joe Layden). Each of these people loves The Princess Bride as much as Elwes, and their collective love is almost overwhelming. I teared up multiple times listening to each cast member recount their memories, physically feeling the love they share for this project and each other. Not only that, but you get some of the greatest impressions from Elwes. My favorite is his impression of the late great André René Roussimoff, aka Andre the Giant. Elwes has the most beautiful stories of his friend, and when he speaks through him, it's almost like he's still around to tell his own tales.
There are too many good stories to write about in this review, so I hope what I have written so far will make you want to read it for yourself. I'm glad I was given the chance to read it, and I hope everyone who has a favorite movie or show is given the chance to learn all about the behind-the-scenes. I know I'll be telling everyone I watch the movie with that Cary Elwes actually did get accidentally knocked out by Christopher Guest in the Fire Swamp scene.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Surprise surprise, The Princess Bride is my favorite movie. I was excited to listen to the audio version of this book and I wasn't disappointed. What I appreciated about the book is that it was written in a simple (some might think a little too simple) and very positive tone, which is in keeping with the story and iconic status of the movie. I'm glad it wasn't a tell-all or a discovery that the movie was a nightmare to make or that the cast didn't get along. There are many sweet anecdotes about Andre the Giant, interesting information about the sword battle, and a positive peek behind the scenes of movie making. This kind of stuff interests me, and I'm a fan of Cary Elwes beyond The Princess Bride, so hearing him narrate it was extra special. Definitely a treat for fans.
Entertaining but I'm probably not up on pop culture enough to appreciate all the names and movie references so that got a little tiresome. Overall fun to read.