Film of a Generation

Recently I was ordering something from Amazon.com and I was very close to getting the free shipping. I only needed to spend a few dollars more in order to save the high shipping fee. I thought maybe I would find a cheap DVD for $5 in the bargain section. Among the lame movies that were marked down to $5, there was The Princess Bride.

I clicked on it instantly, buying it without hesitation. This year is the 20th anniversary of the film and my DVD is the "special anniversary edition." Even though I've had it for two weeks now, I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch it. I have that movie memorized, but it's been a long time since I've seen it.

I was thinking about The Princess Bride and I was reminded of a conversation that my brother and I once had. One of his grad school professors was talking about culture and said that each generation has a film (or maybe 2) that "defines" them. Every child of that generation can quote the entire film; it personfies their attitudes and their beliefs.

In our conversation, I said that The Princess Bride has to be one of films that "defines" my generation. I saw it in Annapolis at the movie theater when I was a teenager, and then saw it countless times at sleepovers, youth group parties, in the co-ed lounge at college, and more. The film has it all: intrigue, true love, sword-fighting action, humor. Admit it: you know you can quote lines from that movie, too! "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" "Anybody want a peanut?"

What is your favorite line from The Princess Bride? What film do you think defines your generaton? Feel free to discuss in the comments section.