When things get too complicated, make a different movie
Editor’s note: Casual film fans, the fans who never look at the extra features and deleted scenes included with their Blu-ray discs or streaming services such as Apple TV, may not be aware that the final film script often differed significantly from the script originally envisioned by the screenwriters. Wind Eggs recently uncovered a box filled with original drafts at an estate auction in Beverly Hills, and has devoted this week to the original, alternate versions of popular films.
“The Princess Bride” was as much a kitchen sink of plot twists as it was a rom com. Audience reception was warm, but it later became a cult hit. In the theatrical release, Princess Buttercup is betrothed to the Evil Prince Humperdinck after the Dread Pirate Roberts kills her beloved Wesley. However, a gang under the leadership of the evil Vizzini kidnaps her before the wedding. The Dread Pirate Roberts, who turns out to be Wesley, pursues them. After a series of adventures and mishaps, the four combine forces and rescue Buttercup. Inigo becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts, and Wesley marries his true love. Screenwriters added the happier ending into the movie only after studio executives feared the real transfer of Pirate Roberts’ title wouldn’t sit well with audiences. What follows is a recap of the original treatment submitted to the studio.
ONCE WESLEY RESCUES PRINCESS BUTTERCUP from Fezzik, Vizzini, and Inigo Montoya, after having revealed himself to be the Dread Pirate Roberts, a title passed on from one Pirate Roberts to the next upon retirement, the couple emerges from the fire swamp only to be recaptured by Prince Humperdinck. Humperdinck dispatches Wesley to a dungeon to torture him, but when Buttercup threatens suicide, the Prince promises Buttercup he will find her missing lover.
As if the plot so far wasn’t improbable enough, the giant Fezzik turns against the Prince once he learns of a plot to start a war with Buttercup’s kingdom. He recruits Montoya to rescue Wesley—who has since died—and revives him. Once reunited, the three raid the castle to free Buttercup.
Humperdinck dispatches Wesley to a dungeon to torture him, but when Buttercup threatens suicide, the Prince promises Buttercup he will find her missing lover.
In a panic, Humperdinck tries to speed up the wedding, but before they complete the vows, Montoya and Wesley interrupt. A sword fight ensues. Inigo with Vizzini, who is actually the Prince’s evil sidekick Count Rugen, and Wesley with Humperdinck.
In the treatment, Vizzini/Rugen only has five fingers, and Inigo only wants revenge because Vizzini failed to pay Inigo and Fezzick for kidnapping the girl. He stabs the villain, and shouts, “My name is Inigo Montoya, and you stiffed me for 500 guilders.” Vizzini collapses, but his purse is empty.
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