The Princess Bride Page #2

BUTTERCUP:

(pointing to a pitcher

that she could reach herself)

Farm Boy, fetch me that pitcher.

He gets it, hands it to her; they are standing very close to

each other gazing into each other's eyes.

WESTLEY:

As you wish.

Now he turns, moves outside.

DISSOLVE TO:

WESTLEY AND BUTTERCUP, outside his tiny hovel in the red

glow of sunset. They are locked in a passionate kiss.

THE KID:

(off-screen)

-hold it, hold it-

CUT TO:

THE KID'S ROOM

THE KID:

What is this? Are you trying to

trick me? -- Where's the sports? --

Is this a kissing book?

GRANDFATHER:

-- wait, just wait --

THE KID:

-- well, when does it get good?

GRANDFATHER:

Keep your shirt on. Let me read.

(reading again)

Westley had no money for marriage.

So he packed his few belongings

and left the farm to seek his

fortune across the sea.

CUT TO:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6.

WESTLEY AND BUTTERCUP

They stand near the gate to the farm, locked in an embrace.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen reading)

It was a very emotional time for

Buttercup --

THE KID:

(off-screen groaning)

I don't be-leeve this.

BUTTERCUP:

I fear I'll never see you again.

WESTLEY:

Of course you will.

BUTTERCUP:

But what if something happens to

you?

WESTLEY:

Hear this now:
I will come for you.

BUTTERCUP:

But how can you be sure?

WESTLEY:

This is true love. You think this

happens every day?

He smiles at her, she smiles too, throws her arms so tightly

around him. They kiss. Then as Westley walks away, Buttercup

watches him go.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen reading)

Westley didn't reach his

destination. His ship was attacked

by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who

never left captives alive. When

Buttercup got the news that

Westley was murdered --

THE KID:

(off-screen, perking

up a little)

-- murdered by pirates is good --

CUT TO:

CLOSE UP:
Buttercup, staring out the window of her room.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen)

She went into her room and shut

the door. And for days, she

neither slept nor ate.

BUTTERCUP:

(no emotion at all in

her voice)

I will never love again.

HOLD ON HER FACE, perfect and perfectly sad.

DISSOLVE TO:

FLORIN CASTLE - DAY

The main courtyard of Florin replete with townspeople,

livestock, and a bustling marketplace.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen reading)

Five years later, the main square

of Florin City was filled as

never before to hear the

announcement of the great Prince

Humperdinck's bride-to be.

CUT TO:

PRINCE HUMPERDINCK, a man of incredible power and bearing,

standing in his royal robes on a castle balcony. Three

others standing behind him: an OLD COUPLE with crowns, the

aging KING AND QUEEN, and a dark bearded man who seems the

Prince's match in strength: this is COUNT RUGEN.

HUMPERDINCK:

(raises his hands,

starts to speak)

My people ... a month from now,

our country will have its 500th

anniversary. On that sundown, I

shall marry a lady who was once a

commoner like yourselves --

(pause)

-- but perhaps you will not find

her common now. Would you like to

meet her?

And the answering YESSSS booms like summer thunder.

CUT TO:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8.

A giant staircase leading to the CROWD and as a FIGURE just

begins to become visible,

CUT TO:

THE CROWD, as they see the figure. (We haven't yet.) And if

there is such a thing as collective action, then this crowd,

collectively, holds its breath.

CUT TO:

THE STAIRCASE, as the figure appears in the archway. It is

Buttercup. And she resplendent.

HUMPERDINCK:

My people ... the Princess

Buttercup!!

She descends the stairs and starts to move amongst the people.

CUT TO:

THE CROWD, and they do a very strange thing: with no

instruction at all, they suddenly go to their knees. Great

waves of people kneeling and --

CUT TO:

BUTTERCUP, terribly moved. She stands immobile among her

subjects, blinking back tears. HOLD on her beauty for a

moment.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen)

Buttercup's emptiness consumed

her. Although the law of the land

gave Humperdinck the right to

choose his bride, she did not

love him.

CUT TO:

WOODLANDS:

-- and Buttercup, barreling along, controlling her horse

easily.

GRANDFATHER:

(off-screen)

Despite Humperdinck's reassurance

that she would grow to love him,

the only joy she found was in her

daily ride.

CUT TO:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9.

Rate this script:4.8 / 5 votes