The story of As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' is a lean, focused documentary that does something deceptively simple—it lets you sit in the room where magic happened. Released in 2001 as a bonus feature on The Princess Bride DVD, this 28-minute film doesn't try to be exhaustive or encyclopedic. Instead, it captures the spirit of how director Rob Reiner and his ensemble cast transformed William Goldman's beloved novel into a film that would define a generation's understanding of adventure, romance, and sword fights. The documentary weaves together original archival footage from the set with reflective interviews from the people who were actually there, creating something that feels less like a typical "making of" and more like a conversation with old friends about the best project they ever worked on.
Behind the making of As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
Produced by Automat Pictures, As You Wish arrived at a specific moment in home video history—when studios were finally investing real resources into DVD bonus features. The timing mattered. By 2001, The Princess Bride had already achieved something rare: it had become a genuine cultural touchstone without ever being a massive theatrical box office hit. The original 1987 film made around $40 million domestically, respectable but not blockbuster territory, yet it had accumulated a devoted fanbase through cable airings, VHS rentals, and word-of-mouth that only grew stronger with each passing year. What Automat Pictures understood was that fans didn't just want to watch the movie again—they wanted to understand how it came to be. The documentary taps into cast members including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, and others, who'd spent over a decade watching their work become something larger than themselves. These weren't fresh-from-the-set interviews; they were reflections from people who could finally see what they'd created with some perspective and gratitude.
What makes As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' stand out
Here's what's genuinely striking about this documentary: it doesn't oversell the production. There's no breathless narration about how difficult everything was or how close they came to disaster. Instead, what emerges is a portrait of filmmakers who believed in the material and trusted each other—and honestly, that restraint is refreshing. The archival footage shows a set that looks genuinely fun, not tortured. You see Reiner working with his actors, the kind of collaborative energy that doesn't always translate to screen but clearly shaped the film's warmth. What I keep coming back to is how the documentary captures something that's increasingly rare in filmmaking: a sense that everyone involved knew they were working on something special, not because of market research or franchise potential, but because the script was beautiful and the cast was committed to honoring it. The interviews don't devolve into typical Hollywood war stories. Instead, cast members discuss their approach to their characters—how Elwes prepared for the physical demands, how Wright brought vulnerability to a princess who could've been one-dimensional, how Patinkin found the humanity in a swordsman consumed by revenge. These aren't ego-driven recollections; they're craft discussions that reveal why The Princess Bride endures. You can find streaming availability for this documentary on Movie OTT, which tracks where it's currently available across major platforms.
Where to stream As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' online
Locating As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' depends partly on where you already watch films. The documentary is available on major OTT services, though availability can shift depending on licensing agreements and regional restrictions. The "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page shows you exactly which platforms currently have it in your area, which saves you the frustration of searching multiple apps. Since it's a relatively niche documentary—not a mainstream release—it tends to live alongside The Princess Bride itself on platforms that license the full catalog. If you're a devoted fan of the 1987 film, there's a good chance you can access this without subscribing to anything new. Movie OTT keeps that information current so you don't waste time hunting.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'?
The documentary was produced by Automat Pictures for the DVD release of The Princess Bride. While it focuses on director Rob Reiner's work on the original 1987 film, the documentary itself was assembled as a supplemental feature rather than a standalone theatrical release.
Q: How long is As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'?
The documentary runs 28 minutes, making it a compact but substantive look at the film's creation. It's designed to be watched in one sitting, either as a companion to the film itself or as a standalone piece for devoted fans.
Q: Is As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' based on a true story?
It's a documentary about the making of The Princess Bride, so yes—it documents the real behind-the-scenes experience of creating the 1987 film. The interviews and archival footage are authentic accounts from the people who were actually involved in production.
Q: What year was As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' released?
The documentary came out in 2001 as a DVD bonus feature, fourteen years after the original film's theatrical release. By that point, The Princess Bride had already become a beloved classic.
Q: Does As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' include interviews with the cast?
Yes. The documentary features interviews with cast members reflecting on their experience making the film, combined with original archival footage from the set. It's less a formal retrospective and more a series of conversations about what it was like to be part of something that would endure.
Final thoughts on As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
If you love The Princess Bride—and honestly, who doesn't—this documentary is worth carving out 28 minutes for. It won't revolutionize your understanding of filmmaking or reveal shocking behind-the-scenes drama (there isn't any). What it does is deepen your appreciation for a film made with genuine care and artistry. It's a gift to fans, really. The kind of bonus feature that justifies the DVD era. Whether you're rediscovering the original film or introducing it to someone new, As You Wish provides the context and affection that makes the whole experience richer.
