The NeverEnding Story

Name: The NeverEnding Story
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Family
Released: July 20, 1984
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 46
Cast: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach

1984

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Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 106 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 106 Ratings

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Neverending Story

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 20, 1984 | PG

Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach

Summary: A dreamy young boy discovers an extraordinary storybook-and the fantastical world within its pages. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

Wolfgang Petersen's The NeverEnding Story is a marvelously realized flight of pure fantasy. Read full review

Michael Blowen

The Neverending Story, Wolfgang Petersen's sophisticated fantasy film, is so wonderfully appropriate to children that it seems to have been made by kids. But there is enough artistic merit in the tale to enchant adults equally. [20 Jul 1984, p.1]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Director Wolfgang Petersen combines the elements into a charming film that is excellent for children and won't put any adults to sleep, either. Read full review

Julie Salamon

This fairy tale is a weirdly enchanting mixture of old-fashioned whimsy and up-to-the-minute special effects. It brings back the early excitement of reading as a child, when the act of turning pages took on a magical quality. [19 Jul 1984, pg.1]

Empire Ian Nathan

This was sweet and charming at the time but now it just lacks either the comedy or sophistication of kids' fantasy film that we've all become accustomed to. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Despite the sophistication of the source material, this 1984 film isn't particularly successful: Petersen insists on forcing the superficial moral lessons, and the half hour removed from the film by its American distributors leaves it with a harsh, choppy rhythm. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The Neverending Story is a graceless, humorless fantasy for children, combining live actors and animated creatures in mostly imaginary settings. Read full review

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User Reviews

ILHM

Jan 31, 2013

THE NEVERENDING STORY is a feat in fantasy filmmaking, truly one of the most incredible fantasy adventures ever made. The imaginative character designs and enchanting environments bring the world of Fantasia to life in amazing detail. Director Wolfgang Petersen employs an astonishing arrayTHE NEVERENDING STORY is a feat in fantasy filmmaking, truly one of the most incredible fantasy adventures ever made. The imaginative character designs and enchanting environments bring the world of Fantasia to life in amazing detail. Director Wolfgang Petersen employs an astonishing array of special effects, from life-like puppets to matte paintings and miniatures that meld together to give the film an epic look unlike any other. Although it is based in childhood fantasy, the film touches on many darker tones and twisted villains that, along with its haunting score, often make for a frightening viewing experience for younger audiences. A series of meaningful and memorable characters are introduced to fight the forces of darkness, characters who personify the values of courage (found in the brave warrior Atreyu), wisdom (shown by the ancient one, Morla), and valor (as seen in the self-sacrifice made by The Rockbiter and others). In the face of such heroism, the corruptive creature that is attempting to destroy this whimsical world fares no chance. On top of the High Fantasy elements the film possesses, it also delivers a powerful message against the death of imagination at the hands of apathetic parents and their disenchanted children. By frequently breaking the fourth wall, THE NEVERENDING STORY engages young Bastian as well as the viewing audience to enter the world of Fantasia and participate in the events as they unfold on screen right beside Atreyu and his companions, thereby saving all who live within this realm. THE NEVERENDING STORY holds a special place beside other timeless classics like THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE DARK CRYSTAL, and LABYRINTH.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

robertoiglesias

Jun 18, 2017

The neverending story is a fantastic movie! The characters are so amazing, the plot is well developed, Fantasia is a great world to be in, and the way the story is made is just wonderful. I rate this 10/10. Also, are the other critics controlling the Metascore high on something? Because theyThe neverending story is a fantastic movie! The characters are so amazing, the plot is well developed, Fantasia is a great world to be in, and the way the story is made is just wonderful. I rate this 10/10. Also, are the other critics controlling the Metascore high on something? Because they have given mixed reviews about this.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

MovieLonely94

Oct 20, 2010

this fantasy adventure movie kicks a**. it has great character development, awesome visual effects, and beautiful music.

Rating: 10/10

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

Dec 9, 2007

A great fantasy tale that left a lasting impression. It may pale in comparison to children's movies today, but it was way ahead of its time back in 1984.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

FilipeNeto

Nov 29, 2020

For me, this is a film that takes me back to my childhood, in the Nineties. It was a film that I watched whenever it was shown on television and therefore, due to the emotional burden of memories, it is difficult to make an impartial assessment, but I will do the best I can. I do not know ifFor me, this is a film that takes me back to my childhood, in the Nineties. It was a film that I watched whenever it was shown on television and therefore, due to the emotional burden of memories, it is difficult to make an impartial assessment, but I will do the best I can. I do not know if we can consider this film a classic of recent German cinema, but it is certainly a film that was successful, won cult status and a legion of admirers.

With its own style, it is far from the visual marvels of today's CGI, but it was incredible at the time and it was stupidly expensive to make (it was even the most expensive film ever to be made outside the US and the Soviet Union). The script is based on a part of a fantasy book by Michael Ende and tells how a child, through reading a book, will enter the universe of Fantasia, a place that is threatened by an invisible force called Nothing. I didn't read the original book, but it is public that the film basically ran over it so that the author himself refused to have his name in the initial credits and even demanded that the name of the film be changed. However, despite this, the story is good and is as naive and delicious as it is creative. For a child or teenager, it is a pleasant and funny film. For adults, it depends on how comfortable they feel with this kind of material.

The cast is full of actors who were children at the time and today have either stopped working or almost do not. Barret Oliver gave life to Bastian, the boy who reads the book. He really did a good job and is credible. Noah Hathaway played very well in the role of Atreyu, the protagonist and the main agent in the story that Bastian will read. Equally good was the participation of Tami Stronach, a young Iranian actress who gave life to the role of the Empress, the sweet but wise ruler of Fantasia. The film also features a short and honorable appearance by Thomas Hill as a bookseller.

Technically it is a great film, although limited by the resources and technologies of the time. To our eyes, used to the beauty and realism of CGI, cinematography and effects will seem very dated and there are a series of scenes and fantastic creatures that today even seem too naive and devoid of realism. This is the case of the creature Nighthob, and of some scenes that show the destruction caused by Nothing and that look just like a gale or a very violent storm. When Nothing destroys the Ivory Tower it is quite clear that it is just a set of styrofoam and painted cardboard. Some scenes were also not done and edited in the best way, mainly in the final half of the film: the scene where Bastian gives the Empress a new name is unconvincing and the final duel of Atreyu and Gmork is hurried and anti-climactic. But despite the flaws that really exist, it is a very good film even at a technical level, insofar as it knew how to make good use of what was available: the clouds that announce the presence of Nothing, for example, were very well-made and some creatures, such as the Rock Biters or Falcor, which looks like an adorable giant dog, are iconic. The entire makeup and costume department deserves applause for a job well done, and the construction of the sets was also generally happy. But what many will not forget is the excellent epic soundtrack, including synthesizers and pan flutes, which was composed by Klaus Doldinger, and which for me is better and more cinematic than the song composed for the film by Limahl.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

alejandro970

May 7, 2023

I know that this movie has its fans and I understand them. In itself it is not all bad except that its editing was rushed, since only half of the book was adapted, not to mention that some parts are very dark for children. What I have no doubt is that Guillermo del Toro (and friends) or theI know that this movie has its fans and I understand them. In itself it is not all bad except that its editing was rushed, since only half of the book was adapted, not to mention that some parts are very dark for children. What I have no doubt is that Guillermo del Toro (and friends) or the geniuses of Studio Ghibli could improve it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Jul 18, 2020

Wolfgang Petersen, le réalisateur du fabuleux Bateau a comme qui dirait pété un câble : il s'est mis à torcher en 1984 une niaiserie à chiards ! certes, il faut saluer de jolis effets spéciaux (et non pas numériques...) à une époque où les ordinateurs n'étaient que de grosses calculettes, ceWolfgang Petersen, le réalisateur du fabuleux Bateau a comme qui dirait pété un câble : il s'est mis à torcher en 1984 une niaiserie à chiards ! certes, il faut saluer de jolis effets spéciaux (et non pas numériques...) à une époque où les ordinateurs n'étaient que de grosses calculettes, ce qui devait réprésenter un sacré boulot à l'instar des plus gros films de SF de ce temps-là, on s'en doute...

Malheureusement, ça ne sert ici que le propos niaiseux d'un vague conte de fées pour chiards qui chient dans leur bac ou leur benne et cela semble en effet "sans fin" tellement on s'ennuie vite ici... Une grosse bizarrerie donc dans la filmographie d'un réalisateur réputé pour d'autres choses qu'une espèce de fable poussive, ballote et sans génie aucun, loin de là même...… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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