It is a rare feat for any movie to stand the test of time and be considered a “classic.” It is even rarer for a movie that was modestly received upon release to have new life breathed into it and vaulted to the upper echelon of cherished films. The Princess Bride is one of the few movies (if not the only one) to achieve such a feat while also crossing multiple genres and incorporating everything from pirates and giants, to romance and fairy tales, all as a story within a story.

Now, 27 years later, the movie adapted from the book by the incomparable William Goldman has went on to achieve cult superstardom. Ranked on many “best of” lists and often quoted, it is a favorite among young and old alike. At the 25-year anniversary in 2012, many of the cast and crew gathered at Lincoln Center in New York to celebrate the movie. Cary Elwes, the actor who portrayed Wesley in the film, had the brilliant idea to recount the process of making it from his unique perspective and sought out Goldman’s blessing. He not only received it, he also got quotes from Goldman and various actors from the movie (including Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn and Robin Wright), as well as the director himself, Rob Reiner, to contribute a foreword. Much like the movie that was being talked about, this book has a little bit of everything.

"The book works on two levels --- giving the movie fan a special look into this treasured film and offering a brand-new take on a classic story that will help new generations discover and fall in love with it again."

For anyone who loves a good story or a peek at an incredible experience from a behind-the-scenes perspective, AS YOU WISH has it all. From the fairy tale way that Cary gets the part to the incredible scope of the project, the book hits the ground running. One central theme is the bond that was forged among all the people involved in making the film. It truly seemed that lifelong friendships were being forged as Cary eloquently recounts the making of The Princess Bride. So many factors had to be just right to make this adaptation work on the screen and truly bring the story to life.

Cary brings us on that incredible journey as we witness how Reiner and his business partner flew out to meet him to audition for the role and how other actors fell right into place, such as Mandy Patinkin for Inigo Montoya, Wright for Buttercup, and the incredible Andre the Giant for Fezzik. The descriptions of these characters in the books left little room for interpretation, as Buttercup was described as “...the most beautiful woman in a hundred years. She didn’t seem to care” and Montoya is heralded as the greatest swordsman ever. So we get to “see” Cary and Mandy training with Peter Diamond and Bob Anderson, the two greatest swordsmen, to choreograph the most iconic fight scenes in movies. We also are along for the ride when Billy Crystal, in his alter ego of Miracle Max, alongside Carol Kane as his wife, crack up the cast so much that the director actually had to leave the set from laughing during takes.

The beautiful way that Cary remembers the actors and shooting the scenes is incredibly entertaining and fun to read. Joe Layden helped him put it all together, and coupled with the foreword by Reiner and an epilogue by Norman Lear, AS YOU WISH combines as many points of view and story tidbits to give an awesome look into the filmmaking process at that time. Even though the movie was shot in the ’80s, it is a true period piece --- complete with castles, pirates and princesses --- that stands up to the test of time. It, too, will stand up and become a must-have companion to the movie for all fans, new and old.

AS YOU WISH comes beautifully bound in hardcover with a special dust jacket that reveals a limited edition poster on the inside from Shepard Fairey. This is fittingly so, as Fairey gained much of his acclaim from his “Andre the Giant has a Posse” OBEY campaign, bringing the artist full circle with this wonderful poster. The book works on two levels --- giving the movie fan a special look into this treasured film and offering a brand-new take on a classic story that will help new generations discover and fall in love with it again.

Please note: The audiobook version is an incredible experience as well. To hear the stories read in Cary Elwes’ buttery British accent, as well as having Reiner, Sarandon, Kane, Wright and others contribute their voices, is so interesting. You truly get the sense of joy and excitement they had and still have for the film and the experience of making it. Also, hearing Cary do impressions of Reiner, Andre the Giant and even Moore is hilarious and sweet.