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How well did you think the casting was in the movie version of this book?

I think the casting was absolutely perfect. Of course, I've seen the movie enough times that I couldn't help picturing the characters in the book as the characters in the movie.

I agree - I could not have asked for better casting - probably one of the finest casting jobs since Luke/Hans/Leia in Star Wars.

Robin wrote: "I agree - I could not have asked for better casting - probably one of the finest casting jobs since Luke/Hans/Leia in Star Wars."

You are now my hero for the next 15 minutes for working a Star Wars reference into a love story discussion!

I do have to agree. Somehow, someway, that casting director struck upon gold, and came up with the perfect cast for this story. I really can't imagine anyone else playing any of these rolls without ruining the story.

As I said in the character thread, the casting of Inigo and Vizzini just couldn't be done otherwise..plus Miracle Max and his wife were awesome. Andre the Giant...Peter Falk as the narrator....wow...

Now I didn't read the book, so matching the cast up with it perfectly is 'inconceivable'. I didn't read it because everything I saw/read on it said the movie followed it really closely, and I didn't see that I'd get much from reading a story I knew that well....I may be tempted in the future, though....but another reason was that i knew that no matter what, i would picture all these actors in their roles and if something was conflicted, i'd probably blame the book.....

Unfortunately - even if I try to separate out the movie and the book - I had seen the movie WAY too may times before I even heard that there WAS a book...

Inigo I have to say is my most "absolutely no one else could have pulled off" casting - Mandy was just amazing...

Buttercup and Westley and Prince Humperdink and all the more "main" characters I think could have been cast differently and been ok... Just because they're fairly straight forward "normal" kinds of characters. I love their portrayals don't get me wrong, and I hear their voices in my head when I read the book - I just think that quite a few beautiful girls of a certain type could have pulled off Buttercup. I can't think of who to save my life because I am so used to them - but I think it would work more on those, than it does on the other characters (I mean who else but Andre the Giant could have played Fessik?)

They did a great job on casting the movie...I can't think of who else would have been able to pull off Fezzik, or Miracle Max. I agree with you Ally, that the three core characters could have been played by other actors, but I wouldn't know of anyone who would have done it exactly like they did.

I think it's telling that whenever I see/hear almost anyone from this movie in something else, I don't think, "Oh, that's Cary Elwes," I think "Oh, look, it's Wesley!"

And I also just realized that I can only name Cary Elwes, Robin Wright (Penn?), and Andre the Giant. The rest are just Inigo, Humperdinck, or whoever.

Well, I do know Billy Crystal and Tracy Ullman also. But, anyway, my point is that I identify most of these actors based on their roles in this movie.

JG wrote: "I think it's telling that whenever I see/hear almost anyone from this movie in something else, I don't think, "Oh, that's Cary Elwes," I think "Oh, look, it's Wesley!"

And I also just realized tha..."

Yeah, made the first Saw movie a little disconcerting for me....Westley, you're fat!!!!

JG wrote: "Well, I do know Billy Crystal and Tracy Ullman also. But, anyway, my point is that I identify most of these actors based on their roles in this movie."

I don't think Tracy Ullman was in the movie. Valerie was played by Carol Kane (also of Scrooged hilarity). Tracy Ullman did play the witch in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, tho - another good Carey Elwes movie :)

(What disconcerts me about watching Saw I is that I don't think Elwes can pull off serious. I love him in Princess Bride, and Men in Tights, and even Ella Enchanted... but he's just so melodramatic when he plays serious... )


Anyway... to the OP. I'm another one of those people who saw the movie way before I read the book, and I saw it at least 20 times or so... so I couldn't really imagine anyone else in the roles... It's perfect just the way it is... rat-tail ponytail and all ;)

Inigo, Fezzik, and Vizzini were perfect. Miracle Max and his wife were great, in small rolls. I think Carey Elwes was a great choice. Robin Wright as Buttercup...honestly, it's a completely indifferent role and a lot of actresses could have done just as well. Humperdink and the Six-Fingered Man (better known as Nigel from Spinal Tap!)...could have been done by others just as well.

I agree, there couldn't be more perfect casting for this movie. :)

I agree that Inigo, Fezzik and Vizzini were all perfect, but my absolute favorite thing is Cary Elwes' straight-faced, dare-you-to-blink-first stare. I think it really makes him more intimidating, like he's thinking "Come on, mess with me... See what happens!"

And I will just add that while I like Billy Crystal, I think Mel Brooks would have been a GREAT Miracle Max.

blackrose wrote: "I don't think Tracy Ullman was in the movie. Valerie was played by Carol Kane (also of Scrooged hilarity). Tracy Ullman did play the witch in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, tho - another good Carey Elwes movie :) "

I was afraid I'd make a mistake like that. Under all that makeup, I just couldn't remember. Thanks for setting me straight!

Becky wrote: "And I will just add that while I like Billy Crystal, I think Mel Brooks would have been a GREAT Miracle Max."

You're right, Becky.

Just because those people ARE the character to us now doesn't mean someone else couldn't have pulled it off (in the case of Buttercup, Westley, etc) two different things there...

The only name I can ever remember of the cast on a regular basis is Mandy Patinkin (sp? I can't spell today) but then I'm a musical theatre geek =)

I agree that Inigo, Fezzik, and Vizzini were 100% spot on. Miracle Max and his wife were great - But do agree that Mel Brooks could have done Miracle Max justice as well - though no reason to Crystal was a good choice as well.

I also agree that the "main characters" Buttercup, Westley, etc - which you would think would be the ones that carry the movie are just so-so. This is definitely one of those where the second tier outshines the main characters. Oh to be a "character" actor.

ok the casting was just awesome I cant remember the name of the actress that played buttercup but she also was jennie in forest gump..... and I think she was perfect...

Caleb wrote: "ok the casting was just awesome I cant remember the name of the actress that played buttercup but she also was jennie in forest gump..... and I think she was perfect..."

Robin Wright

She added Penn to the end when she married Sean....