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Only partly a "kissing story", as the little boy in the movie protests, this is full of royal intrigue, revenge, betrayal, cold-hearted murderers, swashbuckling and derring-do, plenty of swordfights, and a three-man castle-storming.

Robin Wright is exquisite as the lovely Buttercup, a girl who loses her true love to the attack of the Dread Pirate Roberts, and subsequently becomes engaged to Prince (don't laugh) Humperdink (I said don't laugh!).

But she is kidnapped by a trio of troublemakers: vengeance-hungry Spaniard Inigo, rhyming giant Fezzik, and the rather annoying Vizzini, who fans of Star Trek Deep Space Nine will recognize as the Grand Nagus. A dark-masked man is following them, with intent to take Buttercup back...

Carey Elwes will probably be known forever as Westley, the smart-alecky, know-no-fear hero of this story. Equally precious-and just as important for the story-are Fezzik and Inigo. They make the movie more colorful and interesting, than if it had simply been hero-and-heroine-versus-bad-guy. They are the ketchup and mustard on the burger of this movie.

The dialogue is truly inspired. This movie spawned the ever-present "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die". Want something that'll make your head spin? Listen to Vizzini's ramblings to Westley about which glass is poisoned.

This is the funniest, wittiest movie ever made for an under-ten audience, but still palatable to adults.

That said, the DVD itself leaves a lot to be desired. There are few extras on this DVD, only scene access and different languages. There has been talk that MGM will release another edition later on, and some folks may want to wait for it. But there are also people who just want a plain copy that the kids can pop into the player and enjoy. If you are looking for a solid, entertaining story that offers plenty to savor with repeated viewings, I recommend this movie. Video connoisseurs might as well pick up a copy, too; when the more pristine version arrives later, pass on the "quicky" version to the nieces and nephews.

At times it gets a little bit too silly and goes right into Monty Python territory-though amusingly so. The film is well cast, well paced, a bit modestly produced, and is deserving of the strong cult following it has.

While for me it will never be on the level of entertainments like Wizard of Oz, I can understand how this film can be almost as endearingly embraced-particularly if the first time you saw Bride was when were 9 or 10.

It's framing device of a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading the story to his grandson (Wonder Years and Working 's Fred Savage) is shot like a t.v. movie, but works wonderfully, keeping the film's perspective sharp and in focus. And because it is Peter Falk immediately the film has a tongue in cheek-campy edge to it. William Goldman created the novel as a bed-time story for his children and the film beautifully retains that feeling throughout.

This was Rob Reiner's fourth movie as a director ( "This Is Spinal Tap," "The Sure Thing" and "Stand by Me") and the critical and box office success of "The Princess Bride" made it seem as if ol' Meathead (All in the Family) could direct almost any movie he wanted and do a great job at it. Eventually he fell onto his face with NORTH and recently of course made something even worse called STORY OF US. But not so very long ago, Reiner made very good films indeed.

As the story begins we meet Princess Buttercup (Robin- Mrs. Sean Penn- Wright in her film debut) who over a brief period of time realizes she really likes the farm boy (Cary Elwes) and realizes although he never says more than : "As you Wish" to her, the way in which he says it, says so very much. They fall in love. . ..

We are suddenly back in Fred Savage's bedroom. "Oh no... does this story have a lot of kissing in it?" He complains to Grandpa Peter Falk.

And so it begins. The farm boy goes off to seek his fortune promising he will return for her and their love will never die, but Buttercup receives word that her love has been killed by Pirate Robert.

A few years go by and Buttercup is about to be married to the Prince, a slimy arrogant coward played by Chris Sarandon. She doesn't love him, but she had agreed to marry him. Then she is kidnapped by a trio of dastardly rogues. "Inconceivable" lisps the trio's supposed ring-leader and brainiac played by the turtle like Wallace Shawn. Mandy Pantinkin plays the master swordsman who hopes someday to meet the six fingered man who killed his father and nearly killed him as a child. Wrestler Andre the Giant plays...Fezzik the Giant, a not-so-scary brute of a man.

These would be kidnappers aren't very good at their task, and in fact when they are distracted by a boat they notice is following them, Buttercup leaps from their boat and into the water. None of them are good swimmers. But not to fear, the scary screaming Eels, force Buttercup to quickly return to the boat.

I will tell you that Buttercup is rescued from her kidnappers and she and her rescuer are pursued by the Prince Chris Sarandon and his head henchman Christopher Guest. As they try to avoid the Prince, and the would be kidnappers (who wind up being their allies) they meet a variety of interesting folks which include ostracized Sorcerer and Witch played by Billy Crystal and Carol Kane.

For the rest of the twists and turns the delightful tale takes you'll just have to watch the film.

Please note there is a planned special edition DVD that will be coming out (supposedly later this year). You may want to wait for it as this DVD has no extras and only a good, not excellent transfer of the film.

Chris Jarmick Author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder - A steamy cyber thriller available January 2001. Please order it today. Thank You