Dr. Mac Christian Movie Reviews: The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride (1987) Blog Illustration - With Crown on Two Strings

“Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” — if that line alone doesn’t make you want to pop popcorn, check your pulse.

📖 Quick Snapshot (Spoiler-Free)

This is the ultimate fairy tale adventure. Westley, a humble farm boy, goes on a daring quest to rescue Princess Buttercup from an evil prince, facing pirates, giants, sword fights, and rodents of unusual size (yes, that’s a thing).

It’s part romance, part comedy, part action — and all cult classic. But is it safe for Christian families?

🗣️ Language & Profanity

• Profanity count: minimal but present.

  • “D***” (a couple times).

  • God’s name used flippantly.

• Insults galore: “You warthog-faced buffoon,” “moron,” “idiot.”

• Played for comedy but still something kids imitate.

💡 Why it matters: The humor is timeless, but kids often repeat what makes them laugh.

😬 Inappropriate or Questionable Content

• Violence:

  • Sword fights with blood (mild compared to modern films).

  • One man tortured on a “machine.”

  • Death threats, poison scene.

• Romance:

  • Kissing scenes (“Eww” factor for younger kids, but tame).

  • A few jokes about sex, but subtle and quick.

• Scary Elements:

  • Rodents of Unusual Size attacking Westley.

  • Scenes in the “Pit of Despair” may frighten younger kids.

• Moral Themes:

  • Revenge is a strong motivator for Inigo Montoya.

  • Witchcraft/miracle references played for laughs, not spirituality.

✝️ The Christian Parent Grading Scale

Category	Grade	Explanation
Biblical Truth & Redemption	C	Heroism and true love shine, but revenge is glorified.
Suitability for Kids (6–12)	B−	Mild swearing, torture, and scary elements.
Language & Cleanliness	B	Limited profanity but notable insults.
Family & Emotional Engagement	A	Humor, heart, and quotability make it engaging for all ages.
Overall Christian Values	B−	Fun adventure, but parents need to address revenge vs. forgiveness.

🛠️ The Filter Fix (VidAngel / Enjoy Movies Your Way)

• Mute profanity (especially God’s name used lightly).

• Remove torture visuals if showing to younger kids.

• Skip romantic/innuendo dialogue if desired.

• Tame violence filters for sword fights and blood.

💡 With filters, The Princess Bride becomes a nearly perfect family adventure flick.

🧑‍⚕️ Dr. Mac’s Verdict

🚦 Yellow Light — A near-classic gem, but not squeaky clean. Best enjoyed filtered.

Best Age Range: 10+ (younger with filters).

Family Discussion Starters:

1. “Inigo seeks revenge for his father. How does Jesus call us to handle enemies differently?” (Matthew 5:44)

2. “What is true love according to God’s Word?” (1 Corinthians 13).

3. “Courage is praised here — how do we show courage through faith?”

   
   

🎤 Final Word from Dr. Mac

The Princess Bride is witty, endlessly quotable, and fun for the whole family — once the rough edges are smoothed with VidAngel or Enjoy Movies Your Way. Parents should use it as a teachable moment: true love isn’t just about romance, but about sacrificial, Christlike love.