“The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes”
Fisher Theatre
Detroit
Aug. 29, 2026
There’s something special about watching a beloved movie with others who share that love, even more so when you’re watching it on the big screen with one of that film’s stars. And when that love comes in the true “as you wish” form, you get “The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes.”
The “inconceivable evening” packed Detroit’s Fisher Theatre with “Princess Bride” fans from across the region Saturday for a screening of the 1987 cult film followed by an on-stage conversation with Elwes, who starred as the romantic lead Westley.
The screening had a joyous, palpable energy, with moviegoers clapping and cheering at key moments throughout the show or reciting the film’s most iconic lines. But Elwes was the main event, arriving on stage to a standing ovation before sharing some of his memories of making the film, which were funny, moving and only deepened our affection for the movie.
It was clear from the outset that Elwes had nothing but love for his film, fans, and fellow actors, as well as director Rob Reiner. Reiner and co-star Andre the Giant, who played gentle giant Fezzik, were frequent subjects of his stories. Elwes recounted both — who have since passed — as exceptionally kind human beings and fondly mimicked their accents during his animated storytelling, which generated much laughter from the audience.
He talked about how filmmakers had to purchase a special ATV that would allow Andre — who was 7’4” tall — to travel to his outdoor scenes. But mostly, Elwes said, he used it to ruin them, going on noisy joyrides around the English countryside while others were filming.
Injuries were another popular subject. Elwes said he was terrified he would be fired after he broke one of his big toes while recklessly riding said ATV after the first week of filming. He tried, in vain, to hide the painful injury — “some of the best acting [he’s] ever done” — but Reiner was sympathetic, telling Elwes he was the only guy who could play Westley and adjusted the schedule to accommodate his healing.
Elwes also recounted the scene where Christopher Guest — who played villain Rugen — had to use a real sword to knock his character out when crew members forgot to bring the prop swords. Guest was hesitant, but Elwes insisted, resulting in Elwes being knocked out for real — which was the take that made it into the film.
Elwes said that even after nearly 40 years he was still close with his “Princess Bride” “family.” While filming on location outside the studio, he said they grew close when Reiner would make them dinner every night while staying at the same hotel. He remembered the evening of their first screening when Reiner took the cast to dinner and broke the news that the studio projected it to be a flop. It was, Elwes said, until the film was released on VHS a year later, which turned it into a beloved family movie.
With the film’s sleepy success, Elwes shared how cast members still get stopped to recite their favorite lines, specifically Wallace Shawn’s “inconceivable” and Mandy Patinkin’s “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
While I enjoy the movie, my interest does not quite reach cult-level. But a happy film about love, loyalty, and courage is a good thing for humanity, and that energy was nice to see. As Elwes said, “You can’t love this movie and not have love in your heart.”
After the screening, it appeared that love within everyone increased, as evidenced by a comment shared from a fan in the audience.
“You have made the world a better place, so thank you.”
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