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Andre the Giant and The Princess Bride

Posted on 10/10/24 at 8:29 am
Posted by skrayper
21-0 Asterisk Drive
Member since Nov 2012
33090 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 8:29 am
I know this movie is beloved here on the M/TV board, and my wife just shared with me a post about how Andre viewed his role. Rather than link you back to Facebook, here is the content of the post:


quote:

Found on a wrestling fan page, and I quote:
(EDITED FOR GIBBERISH)
Andre the Giant wasn’t just a legend in the ring—he was a giant at heart, especially when it came to his role in *The Princess Bride*. Picture this: a man known for his strength, towering presence, and wrestling prowess, giddy like a child every time he sat down to watch his own performance in the beloved film. But it wasn’t just once. Andre was so captivated by the movie that he made his friends watch it with him, over and over again.
Imagine walking into a room, expecting a casual hangout, only to be greeted by a 7-foot-4 giant offering you an all-you-can-eat menu, red wine, and a special request—watch *The Princess Bride*. For ‘The Genius’ Lanny Poffo, this became a routine as Andre would call him over for repeated viewings, like clockwork.

Andre had an advanced copy of the film even before it hit theaters. His excitement to show it to his friends was endearing, almost childlike in its innocence. Lanny recalls how Andre, after every viewing, would nervously ask, “What did you think of my performance?” Each time, Andre beamed with pride at the positive feedback.

But there’s only so many times you can watch the same movie in a week, even for the nicest guy like Lanny. After six viewings, Lanny resorted to sneaky tactics—hiding from Andre, just to escape another viewing session! Yet, Andre’s excitement was unstoppable, always asking, "Where have you been? Let’s watch it again!"

For Andre, *The Princess Bride* was more than just a movie; it was a break from his physical pain, a world where he felt valued and respected. His role as Fezzik wasn’t just written for him—it was a reflection of the gentle giant he truly was. And though his friends might’ve struggled through countless viewings, Andre found pure joy in every scene.
Next time you watch *The Princess Bride*, know this: every time Fezzik appears on screen, that was Andre’s happy place.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
14115 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 8:35 am to
Posted by messyjesse
Member since Nov 2015
2149 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 8:38 am to
Robin Wright mentioned somewhere how she would get cold on set and Andre would just put his hand on her head. It reached from her forehead to the back of her neck. Like a big ol' bear paw warming her up.

Dude was a treasure.
Posted by SammyTiger
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
75045 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 9:01 am to
Henis fantastic in that movie too.

idk if anyone else could have done that role that wellZ

maybe the best cast movie of all time.

0 misses
Posted by Trauma14
Member since Aug 2010
6302 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 9:10 am to
Carol Kane and Billy Crystal were just amazing in their roles! I watched this movie so many times with my uncle and cousin on their Beta tape in the late 80's and early 90's.

It's on rotation for me like Band of Brothers and I still slip in a viewing once a year. Along with other guilty pleasures like Tin Cup and The Replacements.

My wife hates The Princess Bride.... I thought of replacing her, but if that's her only fault I'll keep her.
This post was edited on 10/10/24 at 9:16 am
Posted by tigerpimpbot
Chairman of the Pool Board
Member since Nov 2011
68245 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 9:21 am to
quote:

My wife hates The Princess Bride.... I thought of replacing her, but if that's her only fault I'll keep her.


She better be hot AF because she’s flirting with deal breaker territory there.
Posted by moontigr
Washington Commanders/LA Kings Fan
Member since Nov 2020
5879 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 9:27 am to
The sad part is that Andre had lost most of strength by that point. He couldn't even hold Robin Wright with his own strength; in the scene where he catches her, she had to be supported by cables. Billy Crystal (and Reiner) were amazed at how much alcohol he consumed on-set. I also recall one of them reminiscing about Andre's incredibly long and monstrous farts. I know he became pretty good friends with Cary Elwes.

When Andre was in Japan on the long bus rides that the wrestlers often were required to take, he had a VHS copy of the movie that he'd play for everyone.
This post was edited on 10/10/24 at 9:28 am
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1162 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 10:21 am to
Posted by LuckySo-n-So
Member since Jul 2005
22301 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 10:44 am to
quote:

I also recall one of them reminiscing about Andre's incredibly long and monstrous farts.
.

Story goes that one day on set, Andre let out a 20 or 30 second long fart. Everyone stood there with their mouths agape. The director finally speaks up,”You ok, big guy?”

“I am now, boss.”

Posted by skrayper
21-0 Asterisk Drive
Member since Nov 2012
33090 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 11:05 am to
quote:

Billy Crystal (and Reiner) were amazed at how much alcohol he consumed on-set.


My understanding is that he relied on alcohol to deal with the pain he was suffering. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.
Posted by mindbreaker
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
7746 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 11:34 am to
quote:

My understanding is that he relied on alcohol to deal with the pain he was suffering. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.


This is correct and they talked about it in the documentary. due to his size and building up a tolerance he would drink massive amounts just to somewhat self medicate. Sad to know the problem he had with his thyroid is fixable now.
Posted by Dam Guide
Member since Sep 2005
16241 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 11:56 am to
quote:

I also recall one of them reminiscing about Andre's incredibly long and monstrous farts.


He was also too big to crap in airplane toilets, he would have to go to the back and shite in a trashbag and smell up the coach seats.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
43020 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 11:59 am to
if you havent read cary elwes' book, you need to

LINK

and anyone who doesnt love the princess bride should be on a watch list
Posted by DMagic
#ChowderPosse
Member since Aug 2010
48701 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 3:59 pm to
My wife hasn’t even watched it yet even with it being in heavy rotation when movie days were happening at school
Posted by nealnan8
Atlanta
Member since Oct 2016
2728 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 4:46 pm to
quote:

if you havent read cary elwes' book, you need to


Yep, really great book if you liked the movie. Elwes had nice things to say about most everyone and didn't trash anyone just to sell books.
By the way, I met Carey Elwes in New Orleans around 2014-2015.
You would not believe how nice a guy he is, which shocked me. He comes from an upper-crust British family, and is very polite with people he really does not need to be polite to. A real class act.
Posted by SouthEasternKaiju
SouthEast... you figure it out
Member since Aug 2021
35303 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 5:01 pm to
" I hope we win."

One of my favorite lines. Period.

Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
86567 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 5:14 pm to
Damn now I want to watch it again
Posted by moontigr
Washington Commanders/LA Kings Fan
Member since Nov 2020
5879 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 5:21 pm to
Actually, Andre was told in the early-80s that he could have surgery to fix it, but he rejected the idea. He said that God made him a giant and he didn't want to mess with it.
Posted by dblwall
Member since Jul 2017
481 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 5:25 pm to
On the wrestling side with Andre people really don't understand just how strong he was. When Hulk Hogan was asked his thoughts on Andre he said "we were all lucky that Andre was such a kind man, cause he could have hurt all of us if he wanted."
Posted by upgrade
Member since Jul 2011
13882 posts
Posted on 10/10/24 at 8:55 pm to
quote:

It's on rotation for me like Band of Brothers and I still slip in a viewing once a year. Along with other guilty pleasures like Tin Cup and The Replacements.


Kind of a random rotation there. But I like all of those
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