There's a lot of affection for this film, now being released on Blu-ray (again) to celebrate its 25th anniversary; but the harsh truth of it is however, is that it's nowhere near as good as everyone thinks it is.

To many, that would be like telling their friend that their new baby is quite possibly the most ugly thing to ever wear a nappy, and yes it may be harsh, but sometimes there's just no getting away from the facts. It does prove however that even ugly babies can be loved. But just not by everyone.

Out on a remote farm, Buttercup (Robin Wright) has help from her attractive farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes). Over a period of time, the pair fall innocently in love with one another. Westley however, decides that he has to leave, so he can make their fortune so that the couple can wed. However on his journey he's attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts and never heard of again.

Humperdinck, (Chris Sarandon) Prince of the land, falls heavily for Buttercup, and decides to marry her. Forlorn by the assumed knowledge that Westley is surely dead, she begrudgingly agrees to his proposal.

It transpires that Humperdinck has his fair share of enemies, and three of them – Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), Fezzik (André the Giant) and Inigo Montoya (Many Patinkin) – run off with his bride-to-be. Thinking they're high and dry, they set sail with their bounty aboard. They soon realise however, that they are being followed.

Hot on their heels is in fact the notorious Dread Pirate Roberts, who is keen on rescuing bride-to-be Buttercup. When he catches up with them, it's only the start of an incredible adventure for them all.

I'm really disappointed with the poor quality of service at Nando's. It's really gone to shit!

On the surface, it's understandable why this film has its fans. It's a sweet, original tale that is told in a suitably fairytale manner.

Its biggest stumbling block however is some absolutely diabolical acting. It says something for the film when one of its biggest performances is from British born Cary Elwes; he does everything right in this film, and it should have signalled a great career as a leading man. But it didn't. His career quickly went downhill soon after, which was an incredible shame considering it was his first major role in a film.

Elsewhere however, it's all too obvious that the wooden scenery stands up far better than a cast of wooden performances. Billy Crystal steals the show with his Miracle Max, but it's really too little too late.

Perhaps it was just too big a production for director Rob Reiner to handle. But considering he'd come off of directing This is Spinal Tap and Stand by Me previous to this, it should have been well within his means.

It also has a truly dreadful and intrusive soundtrack, supplied by the Dire Mark Knopfler no less, that has no cohesiveness with what's going on on screen.

The biggest tragedy though is that the majority of the cast were unable to deliver screenwriter William Goldman's superb script in the manner it deserved. Goldman, who also wrote such genuine classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men and Marathon Man, gives a fine account of himself here, with poetic-like dialogue that almost takes a life of its own.

In fact it's his screenplay, more than anything else, that has stood the test of time after all these years, and it should be viewed for that alone.

There's no denying that some of the panto-like performances give the film a certain endearing charm, but it's far from being the true classic it's often cited as being. And that statement's not quite as inconceivable as many might believe.