Fantasy romance/comedy novel published in 1973, and adapted into a classic film in 1987, both written by William Goldman. Framed as a story read to a child (in the novel, a "just the good bits" version), Westley and Buttercup's true love must overcome a possessive prince, kidnapping, swordsmen, giants, pirates, swamps, torture, and a slight case of death.
The original novel The Princess Bride is actually presented as William Goldman's abridgement of a much larger work called "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure". Per the text Goldman's father read this book to him as a child while he was ill, skipping sections that he thought too boring for a small youth. Goldman's novel is ostensibly an edit of Morgenstern's story for "just the good bits", along with running commentary and asides regarding his childhood experience, what boring bits were skipped, and lampshading of the story from his adult perspective. In truth, the entire novel is a creation of Goldman's, although in newer editions some reflections on the impact of the movie are given while keeping up the charade.
The plot revolves around the true love of Buttercup, who lives on a farm in the country of Florin, and Westley, the farm hand who works there. Westley leaves to find fortune so they may marry, but is killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts at sea. Buttercup falls into despair. The prince of Florin finds Buttercup beautiful and chooses her as his bride, despite that she will not love him. Before the wedding, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of curious outlaws, whisking her off towards Florin's rival nation Guilder. In hot pursuit are Florin's prince, and a mysterious man in a black mask who seems more relentless than the prince...
The movie adaptation of The Princess Bride was not a major commercial success at theaters, but gained a major cult following and has proved enduringly popular over the decades since. The film starred Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as Westley and Buttercup, with the show frequently stolen by highly memorable and quotable side characters (Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, Andre the Giant as Fezzik, Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, and Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, just to start). The framing device of a book being read to a child was kept from the novel, including interruptions and commentary from both as the story goes on.
This tag should be used for both works. More information can be found at the Wikipedia entries for both the novel and the movie.
