William Goldman in his novel The Princess Bride mentions how the supposedly original author of the tale, S. Morgenstern, loved trees. Apparently, Goldman revised (ok, excluded is the better word choice here) several pages of Morgenstern's literary tribute to trees. In action-packed part of the novel (ok, well this is actually from Buttercup's Baby, the revised sequel, included in the 30th anniversary edition of Princess Bride), Goldman comments that he cut out a huge chunk of a literary tribute to trees that Morgenstern had originally included. He (Morgenstern) figured that the only way people would read his environmentalist plug, would be to include in the most action-packed part of the book.
That's why I found it so funny when I watched the movie again today. As Westley and Buttercup bravely enter the Fire Swamp, the grandpa narrates: "Great trees block the sun." And later Westley comments, "It's not that bad. I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely."
Lovely trees . . .oh yes! =)
No comments:
Post a Comment