{2015 Amazing Book Race Challenge Review} AS YOU WISH: INCONCEIVABLE TALES FROM THE MAKING OF THE PRINCESS BRIDE by Cary Elwes

ISBN #: 978-1476764023

Page Count: 272

Copyright: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Touchstone; First Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets, backstage stories, and answers to lingering questions about off-screen romances that have plagued fans for years!

With a foreword by Rob Reiner and a limited edition original poster by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.

Lupe's Review:

"Hello. I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

The movie, the book, and now this beautiful memoir are all you need to complete your collection of William Goldman's masterpiece The Princess Bride. Such an iconic book that was translated beautifully to screen, even though many didn't realize it at the time, has turned into a sensational cult classic that has lasted generations.

Cary Elwes, the beloved Westley, narrates this tale of meeting director Rob Reiner, being cast, meeting cast and all the highs and lows of being on set. But this isn't just any movie set. This is the set of The Princess Bride, where magic, mayhem, romance, swashbuckling, swordfights and humor combine into the most perfect of all perfect movies. Cary takes us on an inside look at how hard it could be to film scenes with Andre the Giant-not because he was a giant, but because of his health issues. Or how he found out Mandy had already began training on how to swordfight and had a leg up on him (no fair!). Robin was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Billy made Mandy injure himself because he was trying NOT to laugh! I mean, as I was reading this story, all I could see were these actors, who are so HUGE now (in stardom) becoming this family who ate together, hung out together, acted together, practiced together and even after 25 years, were still as close as ever.

I was laughing, crying, laughing through tears, crying through laughter. This whole book really makes you take on a fresh perspective of the work that went into making this incredible film, and how hard everyone worked to make sure that the film stayed true to the book that William Goldman had written. So much of this book makes me want to go back and re-watch the movie just so I can say "Oh THAT'S what Cary was talking about! OMG SO FUNNY!" There are tales in here that seem to be as tall as Andre was, but are oh so very true.

If you are a fan of The Princess Bride, be it movie or book, plese make sure you read this. It would be inconcievable if you didn't.

"And, if they'd like to know a little bit more about how their favorite film was made, as seen through the eyes of a young actor who got much more than he bargained for, then all I can say is...As you wish." - Cary Elwes, Intro