On Guard, Princess Bride Fans! Ace This Quiz To Save Buttercup
- by Gary_G
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Though mostly marketed as a fantasy/romance, The Princess Bride became a comedic smash in the 1980's, with elements of the story becoming a permanent fixture in pop culture. It charmed the pants off of audiences, who got something much more special than they were expecting.
Everyone knows the refrain that begins, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya..." Or the ridiculous swordfight that keeps escalating with lines like "I am not left-handed" or "I'm not left-handed, either!"
It's a story of true "wuv" and "mawwiage." Where heroes must brave rodents of unusual size, megalomaniacal geniuses, pits of despair and friendlier-than-they appear giants. Sure, Princess Buttercup needs saving, but the rescue is going to take more than a few wild turns and surprise appearances by Billy Crystal to make it happen.
The movie ages well, with a smart and satirical take on fairy tales in general, having that in common with later films like Shrek or Enchanted. Sure, it still believes in a happy ending, but it also gives its heroes unexpected rough edges and has fun with the typical tropes one might find in a damsel in distress story.
True fans of The Princess Bride will be able to ace this quiz. Have fun storming the castle!
What's Wesley's trademark phrase?
Wesley and Princess Buttercup go way back, from before she was even a princess. Their romance started when he was but a farm boy in her employment, polishing her horse's saddle. Other chores she tasked him with included things like chopping firewood and filling buckets with water. When she resorted to asking for water pitchers that were within her own arm's grasp, Wesley knew that she really loved him. What was Wesley's trademark response to every single chore that Buttercup asked him to do?
What was the name of the steep cliffs Wesley had to climb?
After Wesley goes missing, presumably captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Princess Buttercup is kidnapped by Vizzini the Sicilian genius, Inigo Montoya the master swordsman, and Fezzik the Giant. Fezzik carries all three of them up a rope taking them to the top of a giant cliff. But Wesley, who has actually taken the mantle of the Dread Pirate Roberts, is in hot pursuit, climbing the rope behind them like a champion. What is the name of the intimidating cliffs that Wesley has to climb?
In what order must Wesley face the challenges?
Just like in a video game, Wesley has to face three mini-bosses before he can get to Buttercup. All three possess different skills that he must overcome. The giant is giant, hard to bring down in most circumstances. The genius is genius, who has a strange logic puzzle involving poison. And the swordsman is highly skilled, challenging even the most trained man with swordsmanship. Once Wesley scales the cliffs, in what order does he face all the challenges to get to Buttercup?
What was the name of Wesley's poison?
For the genius challenge, Wesley meets Vizzini, an odd bald little fellow who is a self-proclaimed genius. Wesley suggests a battle of wits. Wesley presents the game: pick the non-lethal goblet of wine. Placed before him are two goblets filled with wine. But one of the goblets is also laced with Wesley's poison. The poison is odorless, tasteless. It is also one of the most dangerous poisons known to man, causing near instantaneous demise for all those who drink it. What is the name of the poison?
What's the other classic blunder?
Vizzini, having chosen his wine goblet in a dizzying display of logic, laughs and mocks at Wesley because he is certain Wesley has lost. He claims Wesley has committed one of the classic blunders, one of which is getting into a battle of with a Sicilian. The other blunder has some accurate historical background. Vizzini manages to utter this blunder shortly before he surprisingly collapses to the ground from a fatal dose of poison. What is the other classic blunder?
What is Inigo Montoya's sportsman-like courtesy?
Inigo Montoya, the master swordsman, is quite a friendly fellow despite being one of the challenges that Wesley must face. Obsessed with making it a fair fight, Inigo first offers Wesley a rope to finish climbing the cliff, offering his word as a Spaniard. Wesley says "that's no good, I've known too many Spaniards." Inigo then swears on the grave of his father that he'll make it to the top alive. Wesley accepts. What other courtesy does Montoya offer him before they duel with swords?
What are Wesley's parting words to Inigo Montoya?
For many, the highlight of the Princess Bride is the hilarious swordfight between Wesley and Inigo Montoya, two masters of fencing who are clearly having fun fighting each other. They trade compliments as they fight, behaving more like college buddies than rivals. After both revealing to each other that they are not left-handed, Inigo Montoya is outmatched. Wesley doesn't want to end Montoya's life, but can't have him following him either, so he knocks him out. What are his parting words to Montoya as he leaves?
Why does the giant think Wesley is winning?
When it comes time to face Fezzik, the giant, Wesley is immediately intimidated when a giant rock smashes on the boulders behind him, barely missing his head. Fezzik says he missed on purpose and thinks they should face each other "as God intended" without any weapons. Wesley retorts that he'll put down his sword, Fezzik will put down his rock and then try to end each other like civilized people. But despite Fezzik's advantage at hand-to-hand combat, Fezzik knows he's losing. What explanation does Fezzik give?
How does Buttercup know that it is Wesley under the mask?
After he rescues Buttercup from the three challenges, Wesley makes a production out of not revealing who he truly is under his mask, while berating her for getting engaged after she promised her love to Wesley. He asks her, after she found out he had passed, did she wait an hour to get engaged or wait a whole week? Furious, Buttercup pushes him down the hill, where he shouts something that helps her instantly recognize him as her beloved Wesley. What did Wesley say?
What is the name of the dangerous swamp?
At the bottom of the hill, Wesley and Buttercup have a tender moment, where he holds her and tells her he loves her. Buttercup swoons and says she'll never doubt him again. Their reunion is short-lived, however, because Prince Humperdinck is on horseback, rapidly in pursuit of his promised bride-to-be. To escape quickly, Wesley must take Buttercup through a treacherous swamp, where there are rodents of unusual size and spontaneous bursts of fire from the ground. What is the swamp called?
What was the name of The Six-Fingered Man?
Shortly after Buttercup and Wesley escape the fire swamp, they are apprehended by Prince Humperdinck and his men on horseback. Looking to make a bargain, Buttercup pleads for Wesley's life, agreeing to marry Humperdinck if she lets Wesley go. Humperdinck agrees, but double-crosses her behind her back, instead giving Wesley to The Six-Fingered Man. Wesley notices his odd gloves and asks if he has six fingers, at which point the man bops him on the head, knocking him out. What is the name of The Six-Fingered Man?
Why is rescue "impossible" from the Pit of Despair?
Wesley awakes tied up on a table in a torture chamber called "The Pit of Despair." The pale and hoarse attendant treating his wounds tells him where he is and that he shouldn't he even think about trying to escape because his chains are far too thick. He also claims that there is absolutely no chance of rescue, either, and that he will be stuck here until he passes away. What is the reason he gives for rescue being impossible?
How does Fezzik awaken Montoya?
Losing Vizzini as his employer, Fezzik goes to work in the Brute Squad for Prince Humperdinck. Before the scheduled wedding, Humperdinck orders that Thieves' Forest should be cleared out. During this time, Fezzik discovers The Six-Fingered Man is the Count in the castle. While performing his new duties, Fezzik finds Montoya out of sorts. Fezzik takes him home to sober him up and inform him of The Six-Fingered Man. What method does Fezzik employ to sober Inigo Montoya up?
What was Miracle Max's lie?
Fezzik and Inigo Montoya manage to rescue Wesley from the Pit of Despair. But unfortunately, Wesley is in a coma-like state, so Inigo and Fezzik think that he is passed on. Holding out for hope, they bring him to Miracle Max, who is sort of the local wizard. Miracle Max uses odd methods, but using a bellows as a tool, manages to get Wesley to say why life is worth living. Wesley whispers, "true love." But Max purposely misunderstands him, claiming he said what instead?
What common item does Wesley need for the rescue plan?
With the help of Miracle Max's pill, Montoya and Fezzik awaken Wesley and inform him they have 30 minutes to stop the wedding. Unfortunately, Wesley does not quite yet have the use of his arms or legs. Worse, the front gate is guarded by 60 men and he must quickly come up with a plan. When he hears the odds against them, Wesley despairs and wishes he had this common item. Which they do! What is the item he needs for the plan?
What does the Gatekeeper say when he hands over his Gate Key?
It turns out that the plan that utilized Wesley's brains, Fezzik's strength, and Montoya's steel actually worked. The men defending the gates are terrified of Fezzik's size, and fear that he is the Dread Pirate Roberts of legend. Once scattered, Fezzik, Montoya, and Wesley storm the front entrance and find the gatekeeper in charge of the keys. They ask for the gate key, but he refuses. Then Montoya asks Fezzik to rip his arms off. The gatekeeper hands over the key and says...
How many times does Montoya say his catch phrase?
Montoya finally finds and confronts the Six-Fingered Man within the castle while Wesley is challenging Prince Humperdinck. After a short battle where Montoya dispatches multiple guards, he goes one on one against The Six-Fingered Man. While fighting him, he announces his signature phrase several times, the one that starts with, "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya...". He seems to gain strength every time he says it. In total, how many times does he say the phrase to The Six-Fingered Man?
What is Fezzik doing while Wesley and Montoya are confronting the top bad guys?
The storming of the castle is a tremendous success, with both Montoya and Fezzik making quick work of all the guards. Wesley, though immobile, is slowly gaining control back over his body. With their paths cleared, Montoya goes after The Six-Fingered Man and Wesley goes off to save Buttercup from Humperdinck. This leaves Fezzik to wander the castle to his own devices. While our two heroes are fulfilling their destiny, what is it that Fezzik is doing to help them later down the line?
What was the quarrel between The Six-Fingered Man and Inigo Montoya's father?
When Montoya finally confronts The Six-Fingered man, he gets the chance to avenge his father after all these years. As he told the story to Wesley, his father was a master swordsmith and made the finest swords in the land. The Six-Fingered Man commissioned a gorgeous sword, but when it came time to complete the deal, something went wrong. In the end, his father was slain and Montoya suffered scars on his face. What exactly was the nature of the quarrel?
What kind of fight did Wesley threaten Humperdinck with?
Wesley finds Buttercup and she is overjoyed to see him alive and well. Humperdinck finds them and challenges Wesley to a mortal fight. Instead, Wesley says they should fight another way, "So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, "Dear God! What is that thing," will echo in your perfect ears." What is the name of this kind of fight?
Who played the grandfather that reads the story?
The Princess Bride takes place in a story with a story, with the fairy tale part actually being partially narrated by an older actor known for a famous detective TV show. He reads the story to his sick grandson, played by Fred Savage before he was known for "The Wonder Years". This older actor had tremendous chemistry with Savage, and you can hear his voice pop into the main story from time to time. What is the name of this actor?
How does Wesley reply to Buttercup kissing him?
Buttercup is on the verge of ending her own life before Wesley finds her. With the marriage ceremony seemingly complete, it seems like hope is gone that she will be rescued from a dismal life with Prince Humperdinck. But she finds him waiting for her on her bed, and she loses herself with joy. Leaping onto him and showering him with hugs and kisses, he replies with a peculiar request. What exactly is it that Wesley says as she smooches him?
Who originally wanted to play the role of Fezzik?
The story of "The Princess Bride" is actually based on a beloved book of the same name, written in 1973 by William Goldman. Goldman tried for years to get the book made into a film. Goldman, even back then, wanted Andre the Giant to play the role, but couldn't get him to read for it. Another rising actor in the 1970s wanted to play it who later became a big star. Who was the big actor that originally wanted to play Fezzik?
What actress played Miracle Max's wife, Valerie?
Billy Crystal had a show-stealing cameo as Miracle Max, the man who revived Wesley from his coma-like state. He was under so much make-up, many in the audience didn't realize it was him. When Max gets caught in a lie about Wesley saying "true love", his wife completely loses it and starts screaming at him. Their quarrel is hilarious, and Miracle Max cowers as his wife berates him. This comedic actress was also under so much makeup, people didn't recognize her. Who was she?
What does the grandfather say to his grandson as he asks him to read it again?
At the end of "The Princess Bride", the grandson asks his grandfather to read the whole story to him again. This marks a change in the character from the beginning, who seems much more interested in baseball video games on his Commodore 64 than his grandfather reading a story to him. But we can tell that the character becomes enchanted with the tale as the movie progresses, and gets upset when the heroes are in danger. How does the grandfather respond to his request?