Quick Links
André the Giant was larger than life, both on-screen and off. Seeing Andre in action was an attraction. Watching the 7'4" behemoth walk to the ring was jaw-dropping. Aware of his God-given gift, André toured the world and as many territories as possible. He wanted every wrestling fan to witness a real-life giant in the flesh.
In 1987, the Eighth Wonder Of The World would share his talents with an even wider audience when he donned a supporting role in the film, The Princess Bride. Rob Reiner's fantasy classic cemented André's legacy as a physical anomaly and a gentle giant with enough charisma to leave cinema fans mesmerized.
The Princess Bride Displayed The Two Sides Of André The Giant
André The Giant spent most of his career as the biggest babyface globally (literally). However, in the late 80s, most mainstream wrestling fans knew him as the heel who betrayed Hulk Hogan in WWE. Whether he was a hero or a villain, the five-hundred-pound performer excelled. His experience of playing both sides of the coin came in handy when he earned the role of Fezzik, a temperamental giant with a heart of gold.
André plays the "heavy" (pun intended) in the film's first act. The fight scene between him and Cary Elwes underscores how massive André was. Seeing André battle a lean, 6'0" Elwes was borderline scary. Wrestling fans were equally shocked since they were used to seeing this giant in the ring with other large men.
While there are many moments where André The Giant comes off as downright frightening in the film, there are more moments where he's presented as a lovable sweetheart. By all accounts, this side of Fezzik is far closer to who André was as a man.
Behind The Scenes With André
Mandy Patinkin, who played Iñigo Montoya in the film, described his favorite moment with the giant, "André and I were on the boat alone with only the script supervisor. She turned to André and asked, 'have you enjoyed this experience?' And he said, 'Oh yes.' She said, 'tell me, what have you enjoyed about it?' He looked at her and said - without skipping a beat, 'nobody looks at me.'" Cary Elwes recalls how much joy André took in being "just one of the guys." A privilege that the 7'4" giant rarely got to enjoy.
Rob Reiner recalls directing and working with André as an actor, "His acting instincts... they were always pure. He never made false moves; he did things that were totally natural."
Surprisingly, the physical elements of the film were the most challenging for the seasoned pro wrestler. At the time of filming, André dealt with insurmountable back and knee pain. In his fight scene with Cary Elwes, you can note the careful placement of the camera, staying close to their faces or extremely wide to allow for a stunt double. In the film's finale, Princess Buttercup jumps from the window into Fezzik's arms. But with André's back issues, he couldn't catch the one-hundred-pound Robin Wright, so the stunt team used wires to lower the actress down into the giant's arms and take most of the weight.
Physical restrictions aside, the cast and the crew always speak highly of André as an actor and, more adoringly, a sensitive, loving man.
The Mystique Of André
For years, "The Legend Of André" has permeated wrestling lore. Every wrestler and promoter has their André story, whether it be his massive body squeezing into tiny spaces or his remarkable ability to drink. But, as we know, wrestlers have been known to embellish a tale here and there.
To have another industry of people confirm the most famous and endearing narratives about André The Giant adds legitimacy to some of the most outrageous stories. André was as much of a legend out of the ring as he was in the ring.
Fans and film critics aren't alone in considering André The Giant as the perfect actor to play Fezzik in The Princess Bride. The author of the book, William Goldman, was a massive fan of the wrestler. Goldman told Reiner, "you know there's only one guy who can play this part, right?" Truer words were never spoken by a man who was a masterful wordsmith. Sure, André's size probably got him the job. But it was his charisma, smile, and heart that cinephiles would remember most.