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The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Die unendliche Geschichte (original title)
Trailer
1:23 | Trailer
A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Wolfgang Petersen (screenplay by), Herman Weigel (screenplay by) | 2 more credits »
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Popularity
883 ( 550)
5 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barret Oliver ... Bastian
Gerald McRaney ... Bastian's Father
Chris Eastman Chris Eastman ... 1st Bully (as Drum Garrett)
Darryl Cooksey Darryl Cooksey ... 2nd Bully
Nicholas Gilbert Nicholas Gilbert ... 3rd Bully
Thomas Hill ... Carl Conrad Coreander
Deep Roy ... Teeny Weeny
Tilo Prückner ... Night Hob
Moses Gunn ... Cairon
Noah Hathaway ... Atreyu
Sydney Bromley ... Engywook
Patricia Hayes Patricia Hayes ... Urgl
Tami Stronach ... The Childlike Empress
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Storyline

Bastian is a young boy who lives a dreary life being tormented by school bullies. On one such occasion he escapes into a book shop where the old proprieter reveals an ancient story-book to him, which he is warned can be dangerous. Shortly after, he "borrows" the book and begins to read it in the school attic where he is drawn into the mythical land of Fantasia, which desperately needs a hero to save it from destruction. Written by Graeme Roy <gsr@cbmamiga.demon.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

book | dragon | reading | hero | horse | See All (156) »

Taglines:

A boy who needs a friend finds a world that needs a hero in a land beyond imagination!


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 1984 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The NeverEnding Story See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,325,823, 22 July 1984

Gross USA:

$20,158,808

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,250,857
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (international)

Sound Mix:

Dolby | 70 mm 6-Track | DTS (5.1)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The metalcore band Atreyu took their name from the film. See more »

Goofs

Toward the end of the movie while she is speaking with Atreyu, the middle two rows of beads in the head piece that the child-like empress is wearing, change position between closer together and further apart from 81:00 to 85:00 on the DVD. See more »

Quotes

[last lines]
Narrator: Bastian made many other wishes, and had many other amazing adventures - before he finally returned to the ordinary world. But that's... another story.
See more »

Alternate Versions

The German language version is 102 minutes (98 minutes on PAL video). Some scenes are longer and some scenes in the German version are completely missing in the English/international version. The German version has score by Klaus Doldinger only, no score by Giorgio Moroder and no song by Limahl. The opening credits in the German version are only white text on black background. See more »

Connections

Featured in Reimagining the Neverending Story (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Swamps Of Sadness
(uncredited)
Composed & performed by Giorgio Moroder
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

My life changed that autumn afternoon...
23 June 2001 | by JohYowzaSee all my reviews

The Neverending story is by far the best "Fantasy" film ever made and I doubt that it will ever be topped. I saw this movie with my dad one cold autumn afternoon, and my life changed forever that day. This movie taught me that fantastic places and wonderful creatures really do exist. You only have to want them to. Even today, aged 23, working in the computer industry, I find myself slipping in the Neverending Story soundtrack in my CD player and dreaming away to Fantasia...

This movie the most beautiful and touching movies ever created. It's an example of a timeless story, told with wonderful creatures and dazzling vistas of the land of Fantasia. The amazing and perfect soundtrack help capture your heart and won't let go until the end credits fill the screen. At which time you notice that you've been crying for the last ½ hour. I consider myself extremely lucky that this wonderful movie was shown to me at such a young age, telling me that the world is what you make of it.

And luckily, this September I can watch it all on DVD!!

This is a masterpiece, nothing less


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