Cast
View All
Noah Hathaway
as Atreyu
Barret Oliver
as Bastian
Tami Stronach
as The Childlike Empress
Alan Oppenheimer
as Rockbiter / Falkor / G'mork / Narrator (voice)
Sydney Bromley
as Engywook
Patricia Hayes
as Urgl
Moses Gunn
as Cairon - Empress' Servant
Frank Lenart
as Teeny Weeny / Night Hob (voice)
Robert Jadah
as Morla the Ancient One (voice)
Gerald McRaney
as Bastian's Father
Tilo Prückner
as Night Hob
Deep Roy
as Teeny Weeny
Chris Eastman
as 1st Bully
Darryl Cooksey
as 2nd Bully
Nicholas Gilbert
as 3rd Bully
Crew
Director
- Wolfgang Petersen
Producer
- Bernd Schaefers
- Bernd Eichinger
- Dieter Geissler
Reviews
CinemaSerf
I remember seeing this film when I was young - spurred on by the Limahl theme song that was in the charts at the time, and rather enjoying it. Based on just the first half of Michael Ende's original novel, it's a gentle fantasy tale of a young boy - "Bastian" (Barret Oliver) - who is being bullied by three classmates. When one day he seeks refuge in a bookshop, the owner shows him a mysterious book that he "borrows" and reads - introducing him to the magical, and dangerous, kingdom of "Fantastica" where he learns that it's benign, kindly young "Childlike Empress" is dying and that only he can help "Atreyu" (Noah Hathaway) save her and everyone from disaster at the hands of "The Nothing". The youngsters are strong with their performances, and Wolfgang Petersen's adaption of his own screenplay remains reasonably faithful to the delicate story with clever, engaging animation - a combination of intricate puppetry and blue-screen effects that is both charming and fun: the luck dragon ("Falkor") and the "Gmork" greatly add to the story of wishes and secrets as "Bastian" races against time to accomplish his task. Time has been quite kind to this film (apart from, maybe, the haircuts!) and it still holds up well.
Jun 8, 2023
r96sk
A fantasy flick of real quality!
I got to watch this at the cinema thanks to its release as part of its 40th anniversary, the second movie I've seen re-released on the big screen after <em>'Trainspotting'</em> back in May. That Danny Boyle flick from 1996 is great, as is this Wolfgang Petersen feature from 1984. I wasn't sure what to expect, I only knew of its genre and that famous theme song.
One of the first things to note about <em>'The NeverEnding Story'</em> is how well it has aged, it looks awesome. The practical effects still look top quality and are super effective, I watched <em>'Big Trouble in Little China'</em> yesterday and that has aged rather poorly in the effects department - and was released two years after this!
I really loved seeing the world come to life. The effects are a big reason for that, though this shows the importance of getting strong voice actors. Alan Oppenheimer is fantastic in the roles of Falkor, Gmork and Rockbiter, credit to Robert Easton as Morla too. As for the 'normal' actors, Sydney Bromley, Moses Gunn and Tilo Prückner are excellent in their respective roles.
Younger actors Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway and Tami Stronach all do good work. I could've done without, and this my only thing close to a criticism (which it even isn't), the constant leaps back to the reader (Oliver's Bastian), it's not bad but sometimes doesn't feel necessary; less is more, sorta thing.
A brilliant film, one with an edge to it as well... 🕊️🐎
Aug 2, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The NeverEnding Story examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Wolfgang Petersen brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1984, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The NeverEnding Story took approximately 27 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $27.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 102 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 161 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 67 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 2042 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 305 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1984, when this film was released:
- The Cold War was entering its final phase.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The NeverEnding Story shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Ero in guerra ma non lo sapevo, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The NeverEnding Story offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Great Dan Patch and Rumpelstiltskin explore similar territory, The NeverEnding Story stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 6, 1984
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Budget: $27,000,000
- Revenue: $20,158,808
