The Princess Bride (film) - Production

Production

The film was shot in various locations in England and Republic of Ireland:

• Carl Wark, Sheffield, England
• Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, England
• Cave Dale, Castleton, Derbyshire, England
• Bradley Rocks and Robin Hood's Stride, Birchover, Derbyshire, England
• Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland (for the Cliffs of Insanity)
• Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England

Although Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin did learn to fence (both left- and right-handed) for the film (reportedly spending all their free time during the production practicing with fencing instructor Bob Anderson and with each other), the actual swordfight scene between them was filmed using two separate, mirror-imaged, sets, allowing the illusion that they were equally skilled with either hand. They actually performed all of the fencing in the swordfight scene; however, stunt doubles were used for the two somersaults.

André the Giant had undergone major back surgery prior to filming and, despite his great size, could not support the weight of the much lighter Cary Elwes or Robin Wright for a scene at the end of the film. For the wrestling scene, when Elwes was pretending to hang on André's back, he was actually walking on a series of ramps below the camera during close-ups. For the wide shots, a stunt double took the place of André.