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The NeverEnding Story
Neverendingstoryposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Produced by Bernd Eichinger
Dieter Geissler
Screenplay by
  • Wolfgang Petersen
  • Herman Weigel
Starring
Music by Klaus Doldinger
Giorgio Moroder
Cinematography Jost Vacano
Editing by Jane Seitz
Studio
  • Neue Constantin Film
  • Bavaria Film
  • Producers Sales Organization
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) April 6, 1984 (1984-04-06) (West Germany)
July 20, 1984 (1984-07-20) (USA)
Running time 94 minutes
Country West Germany
United States
Language English
Budget DM 60 million (~US$25–27 million)
Money made US$100 million

The NeverEnding Story (German: Die Unendliche Geschichte) is a 1984 fantasy film. It was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and is based on the 1979 book by Michael Ende. The movie tells the story of a young boy who finds a magical book. This book takes him on an amazing adventure to a world called Fantasia.

The film was very expensive for its time. It was the first movie in The NeverEnding Story film series. This movie only covers the first part of the book. Later, the second half of the book was used for The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990). A third movie, The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia (1994), has a completely new story.

The Story of the Film

Bastian Discovers a Magical Book

The movie starts with Bastian Bux, a shy ten-year-old boy. He loves to read books. One day, some bullies chase him. Bastian hides in a bookstore to escape them. He finds an old book called The Neverending Story. The bookseller, Mr. Koreander, warns him that it's not a "safe" story. But Bastian is curious. He secretly takes the book, leaving a note to return it. He then hides in his school's attic to read it.

Fantasia in Danger

The book tells about a magical world called Fantasia. This world is slowly being destroyed by a dark force called "The Nothing." The Childlike Empress, who rules Fantasia, is very sick. A brave young warrior named Atreyu is chosen to find a cure. Everyone believes that if the Empress gets well, The Nothing will disappear. Atreyu is given a special medallion called the Auryn. It will guide and protect him on his quest.

Atreyu's Dangerous Journey

As Atreyu begins his journey, The Nothing sends a mean wolf-like creature named Gmork to stop him. Atreyu's quest leads him to a giant, wise turtle named Morla. Morla lives in the Swamps of Sadness. Sadly, Atreyu's beloved horse, Artax, gets lost in the swamp. Atreyu continues alone. Morla doesn't have the answer but tells him to find the Southern Oracle.

Help from Falkor the Luck Dragon

Gmork gets closer to Atreyu. Atreyu is very tired in the Swamps. But he is saved by a friendly luck dragon named Falkor. Falkor takes Atreyu to the home of two gnomes. They live near the Southern Oracle's gates. Atreyu passes the first gate. The second gate is a mirror that shows your true self. It shows a boy who Bastian realizes is himself!

The Southern Oracle and The Nothing

Atreyu finally meets the Southern Oracle. It tells him that only a human child from outside Fantasia can save the Empress. This child must give her a new name. Atreyu and Falkor quickly leave as The Nothing destroys the Southern Oracle.

The Truth About The Nothing

During their escape, Atreyu falls off Falkor's back. He loses the Auryn. He wakes up in some old ruins. There, he finds pictures showing his adventure, including one of Gmork. Gmork then appears. He explains that Fantasia is like human imagination. It has no limits. The Nothing is what happens when people lose their hopes and dreams. Atreyu fights and defeats Gmork. The Nothing starts to swallow the ruins.

Bastian's Role in the Story

Falkor finds the Auryn and rescues Atreyu. They find themselves in a void. Only tiny pieces of Fantasia are left. They think they have failed. But then they see the Empress's Ivory Tower. Inside, Atreyu says sorry for failing. But the Empress tells him he succeeded. He brought her the human child who was following his story: Bastian! She explains that others are following Bastian's story too. This makes it part of the Neverending Story.

As The Nothing starts to destroy the Tower, the Empress tells Bastian he must call out her new name. This will save Fantasia. Bastian can't believe he is part of the story. But the Empress asks him directly. He runs to the attic window and shouts the name he chose: "Moon Child!"

Fantasia Reborn

Bastian wakes up with the Empress. She gives him a single grain of sand. It is all that is left of Fantasia. The Empress tells Bastian he has the power to bring Fantasia back with his imagination. Bastian uses his wishes to re-create Fantasia. He flies on Falkor's back. He sees the land and its creatures restored, including Atreyu and Artax.

Falkor asks Bastian for his next wish. Bastian wishes for Falkor to come to the real world. They then chase down the school bullies. The movie ends by saying Bastian had many more wishes and adventures. "But that's another story."

Characters in the Film

  • Barret Oliver as Bastian Balthazar Bux: A shy boy who loves books.
  • Noah Hathaway as Atreyu: A young warrior from Fantasia.
  • Tami Stronach as The Childlike Empress: The ruler of Fantasia. Bastian gives her the new name "Moon Child."
  • Patricia Hayes as Urgl: A healer and Engywook's wife.
  • Sydney Bromley as Engywook: A scientist and Urgl's husband.
  • Gerald McRaney as Mr. Bux: Bastian's father.
  • Moses Gunn as Cairon: A loyal servant of the Empress.
  • Alan Oppenheimer as the voices of Falkor, Gmork, Rockbiter, and the Narrator.
  • Thomas Hill as Carl Conrad Coreander: The grumpy bookseller.
  • Deep Roy as Teeny Weeny: A tiny messenger who rides a snail.
  • Tilo Prückner as Nighthob: A messenger who rides a sleepy bat.
  • Darryl Cooksey, Drum Garrett, and Nicholas Gilbert as Ethan, Todd, and Lucas: The bullies who bother Bastian.

Music from the Film

The music for The NeverEnding Story was created by Klaus Doldinger. He is from the German jazz group Passport. The famous theme song for the English version was made by Giorgio Moroder. Christopher "Limahl" Hamill sang it. This song was a big hit in 1984. It reached No. 4 on the UK music charts.

The German version of the film uses only Doldinger's orchestral music. It does not have the pop theme song. The theme song was also performed by Dustin and Suzie in the TV show Stranger Things.

An official soundtrack album was released. It includes Doldinger's music and Moroder's theme song. Here are the songs:

In Germany, a different album with Doldinger's music was released:

The Film in Popular Culture

The NeverEnding Story has appeared in other movies and shows.

  • In The Simpsons episode "New Kid on the Block", a lawyer jokes about the film's advertising.
  • In 2019, the theme song was used in the final episode of Stranger Things season three. This helped the song become popular again.

Future of the Film

In 2009, there were talks about making a new movie based on the book. Companies like Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions were interested. They wanted to explore more details from the book. However, in 2011, producer Kathleen Kennedy said it was hard to get the rights to the story. So, a new movie might not happen.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: The NeverEnding Story (película) para niños

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