André the Giant’s ATV vs. Cary Elwes no business riding it
Behind the whimsical world of The Princess Bride, where epic sword fights and romantic adventure reigned, there was a very real, very painful slapstick moment that unfolded in the rugged beauty of the Peak District. For actor Cary Elwes, the memory is less about swashbuckling and more about a rather embarrassing accident involving a giant wrestler and an all-terrain vehicle.
The setting for much of the filming was deceptively picturesque, but it was here that Elwes suffered a serious injury to his foot, a mishap directly attributable to the antics of co-star André the Giant. The injury, which was visible in the final film, stemmed from some truly unforgettable on-set taunting.
To navigate the vast, hilly countryside of the filming location, the crew sought an all-terrain vehicle. The challenge, however, was not the terrain, but the sheer size of André the Giant, who struggled to fit into standard vehicles. This led to an unconventional solution: the wrestler utilized an ATV, having previously used one on his farm in North Carolina.
While the vehicle provided transportation, it was the interaction with André the Giant that tipped the balance from practical necessity to accidental disaster. Elwes, inexperienced with the vehicle, was pressured into a ride, much to his dismay.
The accident itself was pure comedic misfortune. As Elwes attempted to shift gears, his big toe became lodged between the gear pedal and a rock. The result? The toe bent backward and snapped.
Faced with the immediate need for medical attention, the young actor was understandably anxious, especially since he was only a week into filming. To avoid the specter of being dismissed, Elwes kept the painful injury a closely guarded secret from director Rob Reiner.
Fortunately, the director proved to be a wonderfully understanding figure. When Reiner eventually learned of the incident, he offered unexpected support, reassuring Elwes that he was far from being fired. “Don’t be silly, Cary, I couldn’t fire you; you’re the only person who could play Westley,” Reiner reportedly said, which provided a much-needed boost.
Although the injury was inconvenient, it ultimately served as a strange form of character development. While the fight sequences were wisely moved to the end of the shoot to allow for recovery, the physical reality of the injury subtly influenced Elwes’ performance. Even when performing his swordwork, viewers could spot the lingering effect of the accident—a slight limp that added an unintentional layer of authentic, lived-in character to the scene.
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