Princess Bride Film Study, Movie Guide + Activities, PDF & Google Drive, CCSS

William Goldman’s The Princess Bride is the perfect fairy tale to use with secondary students, but it’s not enough to just hit “play” on the DVD. Instead, add a layer of rigor to your students’ study of The Princess Bride with this packet of print-and-teach materials that will take four days to complete while entertaining and challenging your teens.

Materials in this 18-page film study include (PDF + Google Drive versions of student handouts):

• A suggested lesson procedure page with calendar (1 page)

• An opening activity helping students to analyze two argument essays – “Fairy Tales: A Nightmare in Disguise” and “Fairy Tales: A Tool to Help Humanity” (3 pages)

• Four movie-based question handouts that require analysis of the characters in The Princess Bride and help students make personal connections to the film. The viewing schedule is broken into four 20-to-25 minute chunks and helpful time markers are included to help keep you (or a sub!) organized. (4 pages)

• A Code of Chivalry activity where students identify the chivalric traits of four main characters. (2 pages)

• A letter writing task requiring students to write with the voice of one character. (1 page)

• A creative writing task that requires third-person narration along with the use of dialogue, simile, and sensory details. (1 page)

• Detailed answer keys for all question-based worksheets. The keys were designed to help guide class discussion, make grading easier, and/or allow you to leave the materials with a substitute teacher. (6 pages)

This mini-unit is the perfect solution for multi-day sub lesson materials, a transition between units, or anytime you just need a break. Sometimes, we all (students and teachers, alike) really just need to sit back and watch a good movie. By adding in these extras, you can enjoy a movie with your classes guilt-free!

NOTE: The opening fairy tale argument essay activity is sold separately in my shop and can be found by clicking here. If you plan to purchase this Princess Bride film study, do not also buy that fairy tale lesson because the handouts are the same ones included here. Also, a copy of Rob Reiner’s movie is not included with this purchase, of course. On my last product update, new DVD copies of The Princess Bride were available at Amazon.com for less than $5. Copies of the movie on VHS and/or DVD often can be found at used media shops and thrift stores for just a buck or two.

Finally, this item is included in my English 9-10 full-year curriculum. If you already own the full-year download, please do not purchase this item here individually. If you’d like to receive this item plus everything else needed to teach 180 days of English 9 or English 10 at a deeply discounted price, click here to learn more about the full-year curriculum download.

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Cover and product image credit (all): Pixabay, Public domain