Monday, February 1, 2010

Movie Monday: The Princess Bride

Have you heard of the Great Digital Film Festival?

"It is truly a unique event designed to showcase popular movies that in most cases have not been seen before on the big screen in a digital format"

Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment, from
The Great Digital Film Festival Arrives for One Week Only at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, CanadianBusiness.com.

One of the movies presented during this festival is The Princess Bride (1987).

The Princess Bride (1987)

If you have never seen this movie, you are truly missing something. Not only is it a cute fairytale, it is also a hilarious comedy. Besides, how can you not know about R.O.U.S.s and The Dread Pirate Roberts?

I should also mention that Princess Buttercup has many cute fairytale dresses. Let me list them. And because I'm in a comparative mood (see yesterday's post), I'll even tell you what the inspiration for each was (in my opinion anyways).

1. The Farm Jumper

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Clearly inspired by 14th century Sideless Surcoat and Cotehardie.

2. The Princess Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Empire waist dress with fluttering over sleeves. For some reason, empire waist became very popular in the 15th century, especially in Italian Renaissance fashion, never to be heard of again until early 19th century Directoire.

3. Red Riding Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride and Cary Elwes as Westley / The Dread Pirate Roberts, The Princess Bride (1987)

This style closely resembles the Houppelande worn during the 15th century.

4. Light Blue Robe and Night Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

A robe is a robe, but the Chemise she wears underneath is a style of underwear that was worn from the 16th century to the 18th century with very little change.

5. Pink Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

A boat neckline means 14th century Cotehardie. Other than that, it's just your run of the mill Fairytale Princess Dress.

6. Blue Gown

Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck and Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

This dress is by far my favourite. Also inspired by 14th century Cotehardie, it has Tippets as well (that is, long bands of fabric hanging from the biceps).

7. Wedding Gown

Cary Elwes as Westley / The Dread Pirate Roberts, and Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Looks like it is cut from the same pattern as the princess gown.

Of course there are many heroic men with costumes too, but you know me, I tend to focus on the pretty dresses.

For more costume pictures from The Princess Bride, visit The Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes - The Princess Bride.

The costumes for The Princess Bride were designed by Phyllis Dalton, winner of two Best Costume Design Oscars for Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Henry V (1989).

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