Inconceivable: ‘The Princess Bride,’ 25 years later

>>> 25 years ago " princess bride " hit theaters and fell flat and then it quickly became a cult classic . now a commemorative dvd is being released. lester holt caught up with the movie director and its stars.

>> want to see my face shining in it by the morning.

>> us a wish.

>> you probably don't have to go far to meet somebody who can recite this movie line for line.

>> rodents of unusual size , i don't think they exist.

>> you fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous is never get involved in a land war in asia.

>> you killed my father, prepare to die.

>> inconceivable.

>> inconceivable.

>> directed by rob reiner and based on william goldman 's 1973 novel " princess bride " is a terry tale with a twist.

>> is this a kissing book?

>> wait, just wait.

>> when you made this film, were you thinking hit? were you thinking longevity?

>> classic. classic. we were thinking of classic, lester.

>> no, you weren't.

>> you're not thinking of anything. thinking of making a movie that will hopefully entertain a lot of people.

>> entertain it did. released in 1987 the low budget romantic comedy didn't fare so well at the box office , but it's become a cult classic 25 years later.

>> people named their children wesley and buttercup as the middle name , and it became this iconic film each year that passed.

>> robin wright , a virtual unknown back in 1987 , was cast as princess buttercup. terry elwis played wesley, the mustache his idea.

>> i felt completely blessed to be part of this tsunami of talent, and i was always scratching my head saying how did i find my way on to this movie? it was just pure luck.

>> robin, i have to wonder, did any chemistry develop between you on the set?

>> no, nothing.

>> to this day.

>> i was so in love with him, oh, my god.

>> one of the pieces of trivia said you wanted more takes with the final kissing scene so you could be with kerry.

>> yes, that is true.

>> i think that was me actually. that was me.

>> " princess bride " had an ensemble cast .

>> you killed my father. prepare to die!

>> mandy patinkin actually learned how to fence with the famous sword fight with kerry owens.

>> you are wonderful.

>> thank you.

>> he and i trained pretty hard for a pew weeks.

>> and the late andre the giant , who was the perfect person to play the role, at least physically.

>> it's not like you throw a stick and 50 giants show up, but i thought i don't understand a word he's saying. i actually recorded his part, and i sent it to him and he learned it by rote how i did it. but he was a gentle giant .

>> he would keep my head warm. it was so cold. his hand was so big it covered my whole head.

>> meanwhile, billy crystal who brought the house down during filming because of his quick wit ad libbed some of the film's most quotable scenes.

>> have fun at the castle.

>> 25 years later still regular film screenings, even a facebook page dedicated to "the princess bride " proving this little movie that could has withstood the test of time.

>> maybe can you come over and read it again to me tomorrow.

>> as you wish.

>> for "today," lester holt , nbc news, los angeles .

>> love, love, love.

>> such a tender moment.

>> love this movie.

>> as you wish.