Jonathan crushed by THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984) Movie Reaction FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@sp72929]

"They look like big, good, strong hands, don't they... " Even decades later that line breaks my heart every - single - time. The movie (and the book it is based on) "not pulling punches" as you put it is what makes it so powerful - high stakes, great heartbreak, great joy and great wisdom. The 80's were still a time when stories for children were not yet watered down to be so overly "children friendly and appropriate" that they became so safe and always happily-ever-after that you completely stopped to even expect something bad to happen.

[@MichaelSteffan-x5m]

"People who have no hopes and dreams, are easy to control...and whomever has the control, has the power"...that is incredibly deep and true about the world, and you will never hear a kids' movie today ever again explain something that plainly. The Gmork is one of the realest villains in a children's movie...

[@IanFindly-iv1nl]

And that swamp scene (21:37) appeared to be an allegory of depression, which personally resonated with ME cause I've BEEN there! .. . and it CAN kill you (it almost did me).

[@Realbeatz86]

@@IanFindly-iv1nl which is one of the representations of what the nothing means

[@Johnathan-g3m]

G'mork was the perfect villain other than The Nothing. Perfect movie imo

[@the_hopelesshobbit]

Gmork still scares the crap outta me

[@cjfire913]

What’s really crazy if you think about Jonathan, is that all of the viewers watching you watch this movie are somehow taking part in your own story as you experience it. Adds a whole extra layer to it.

[@Johnathan-g3m]

@@cjfire913 i can't disagree with that fantastic statement

[@chrism7541]

In the beginning of the movie during the Father-Son chat, Bastian tells his dad he was drawing unicorns, his dad replies "What?" Bastian replies with "nothing." This is the point where the Nothing starts eating up Fantasia, starting with the unicorns you never see, as they were already gone by the time he starts reading the book.

[@breeze1138]

My dog's name was Falkor. I miss him. 😢Although I do have a new dog, I've named him Fizzgig

[@angeladonohue4592]

First time I saw this movie was when I was in a psychiatric ward in a children's hospital. This movie was played so often that it was forever printed on my mind. The little man with the racing snail is the same actor that played all the oompa loompa's in the Tim Burton, Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

[@danwood7888]

When I saw this film in theaters I was a child. I remember not thinking about the meaning of Bastion’s grieving. I saw it as a kid close to my age going on an adventure. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized its meaning. This is what makes a story a classic that can draw in all ages.

[@peterschmidt4348]

Steven Spielberg was given the original Auryn prop by director Wolfgang Petersen as a "thank you" gift for his help with the film! It hangs in a glass display in Steven Spielberg's office!

[@adamcarlson2192]

That is a fact that I never knew, and FUCKING AWESOME. Stephen Spielberg remains one of my heroes.

[@barefootanimist]

@@peterschmidt4348 Auryn '84, remains the best design for that incredible medallion.

[@EntertainmentFan11]

Seriously? Spielberg helped out with the making of this movie?

[@BadMoonHorrors]

@@EntertainmentFan11 Petersen asked him to polish it for an American audience's viewing habits. The US/ international cut is about 7 minutes shorter than the German/ European cut, has some alternative footage and additional music.

[@sweetwentworth]

And now? Especially children? Where are you?

[@johnw8578]

This movie greatly helped me deal with the death of my father when I was 9 (saw the movie like a year or so later). I needed all the darkness in this movie. Also, I never really heard the mother's name. I assumed it was garbled somewhat intentionally so we would all put our mother's name in that shout. My friends and I, watching this in the theater, were betting that his mother's name was Hope. It wasn't until I read the book later on that I found out her name was Moon Child.

[@gregorm93]

"If he doesn't ride a unicorn in this book ...." - oh boy, just you wait!

[@kennethdennis7624]

As a child Artax sinking was the most traumatic part. As an adult, the rock biter talking about his hands is the most traumatic.

[@exoterric]

Child of '81 here. This movie is powerful! I mean he's kind of a little shit, but his heart is so brave and kind. Looks like I'm not gonna have kids of my own to share this with, but it still means a lot to see other men recognize empathy as strength.

[@darthphayde508]

As a kid in the 80s (born late '76), it's always interesting to see adults react to what we saw as kids and reinforces that the 80s was the best decade to be a kid in. I might be 47 now, but there are 3 moments for the 80s that still cause a few tears, the Swamp of Sadness & Artax being one of those. Alan Oppenheimer voiced both Falkor and G'Mork, but also Skeletor, an absolute legend.

[@howieholmes93]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I hadn’t seen it in many years and worried that it wouldn’t be as good. Watching it through your eyes brought back all the fantasy, wonder and everything that I loved about it. Thank you for this reaction.

[@davidvaughn7239]

You need to watch Legend. Tom Cruise and Tim Curry are in it.

[@kampfer3146]

Whenever I think of goblins, I picture Blix. Tim Curry nailed his role. Classic film 👍

[@SeeliaVachon]

I fantasized about The Lord of Darkness and not Jack. 😅🤣

[@irenemichelleanne]

As well as Labyrinth and Willow. LOL and Lord Darkness use to scare the hell outta me. I seriously couldn't watch Legend for pleasure until I was at least 10. Its one of my favorites though, along with The Never Ending Story, Labyrinth, and Willow.

[@angelavalentino5146]

One of Tim Curry’s best performances.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

YAAAASS. I thought I was the only one reccomending this movie. I've loved it since I was 6, along with Neverending Story, and Labyrinth.

[@fabianenriquez2814]

I’m so glad you’re watching these Jonathan!! You’re bringing a big smile to my heart and recreating good memories for me!🥰🙏🏼

[@fabianenriquez2814]

I had to come back because you said you were geeking out and you got so excited towards the reveal! You are so freaking cute when you geek out! And I’m all here for it. 🥰

[@Hauke-ph5ui]

6:14 This movie is based on a novel written by German writer Michael Ende so don't assume American standards to do things. In Germany kids usually go to school by themselves, that is perfectly normal. The dad acts quite differently from his book version btw. He is in so much pain about the death of his wife that he is barely functioning anymore. You really should read the book.

[@snorpenbass4196]

There's actually a lot of hints that his dad is broken - he and Bastian's mom are former hippies (hence her name, Moonchild) but he's gone cold and 80's business instead, he has a hangover cure for breakfast (that weird drink he makes? For hangovers, he's definitely drinking too much), and is making a bunch of mistakes regarding Bastian. The Director's Cut has a few more seconds on the scenes with his dad that gives more.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

We went to school on our own through the 80s and 90s too.

[@marshallprince2583]

Great reaction, Jonathan! I never miss a reaction to this film, and yours had been one of the best I've seen so far. This movie broke my 4 year old heart, but I've cried watching it as an adult and father several times since. It just hits so much harder once you've grown up and can personally appreciate the message. You earned this subscriber's loyalty today!

[@GenXCellent1970]

This is why I feel us GenX’ers have such a unique outlook on life. We were introduced to pain, suffering and the beauty of life at an early age. We were not talked down to by the media of the time but treated as adults even as children. I’ll always be thankful to be a child of the 80’s.

[@snorpenbass4196]

Eggs, orange juice and cayenne or tabasco - hangover cure. The dad is drinking his grief away. Edit: Also, Bastian's mother's name was Moonchild. It's hinted that she and the dad were both hippies in the 70's.

[@johnw8578]

We put raw eggs in all out shakes then -- it would add protein for our workouts. Every morning -- eggs and OJ or Milk, some sugar for taste and fruit.As least we did that (it was a fad for a bit) when I was a kid.

[@MrDarkwing78]

It does sound like Moonchild, but is that actually confirmed? I’ve always wondered. (Yes, I could check, but hey)

[@Mangolite]

@@MrDarkwing78 For me, it was unfortunate because once I heard it, I could never unhear it including this reacrtion’s cut. In the original release, the mother's name was barely audible amidst the clash of thunder and howling winds. But in some versions, Bastian's voice is much clearer, and "Moonchild" is distinctly heard. I preferred the ambiguity, as it resonated with me-I lost my mother as a child, and this story was a meaningful part of my childhood.

[@autonomouspublishingincorp8241]

Yes, raw egg and OJ is the original nutrient smoothy. Eggs contain every protein and vitamin except vitamin C, which Orange Juice contains. The cooking process removes some of that nutrient. While Apple juice contains far more vitamin C than orange juice, that isn't as well known, and the natural viscosity and texture of orange juice can conceal the taste and texture of raw eggs that many find displeasurable. Plus the combination gives the resulting solution a wide range of levels the mixture can be aerated to, depending on personal preference. This makes eggs and OJ the perfect balanced nutritious meal relied on by health professionals and athletes for the past few centuries. (Ever since mass transit made oranges as widely available as eggs)

[@missjenna6449]

@@MrDarkwing78 It’s confirmed. Her name is Moonchild in the book.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

I remember crying in the theater, in 1984, watching the scene with Artax. Great film, but very sad. The Neverending Story is about rebuilding after the loss of a loved one, and rebuilding your dreams. We see it again and again: Atreyu loses Artax, the rock eater loses his friends, the tutle loses its mind, the Empress loses her realm, and Bastian loses his mother. The answer is not to despair and sink into the sadness. It's not to give up on caring, it's not to try to keep your feet on the ground: the answer is to keep dreaming, keep living, be confident in yourself, and never give up hope. It's a great message for all ages, not just kids.

[@SeeliaVachon]

I love your reaction so much! 😍🤣🥰 Never seen anyone geek out so much over a movie breaking the 4th wall! It was how I felt when I watched this for the first time. 😂

[@TomCat777]

The boy who plays Atreyu also played Boxie from the original Battlestar Galactica

[@annmariemills1554]

OMG, thank you that's been driving me crazy for awhile😂😂

[@stephenvincentgiles1306]

A tweet by Tami Stronach, the actress who played the Childlike Empress, posted upon being asked what Bastian’s mother’s name is: “Well, wonder no longer. Bastian’s mother’s name was ‘Moonchild!’”

[@QuayNemSorr]

Hard to hear in English. But the name itself was never important. It was the act.

[@Hynrah]

It sure is, that is what Bastian calls out. However, the reason it was done while the thunder omits the screen, is because you yourself are suppose to name her, as you are a part of The Neverending Story, revealed by the Empress herself.

[@peterdennis4394]

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend you do. The events of the film are only about the first third of the story. The rest of it is Bastian wishing Fantasia ( or rather, Fantastica in the book) back into existence and he has a truly wild imagination. It's nuts.

[@shanehenry7699]

I just finished the book. There's loads more story and characters than in the movie.

[@majkus]

As Tolkien wrote, when a Fairy-story is good, “the story-maker proves a successful ‘sub-creator’. He makes a Secondary World which your mind can enter. Inside it, what he relates is ‘true’: it accords with the laws of that world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside”

[@robertcomeau6873]

Bro, I've seen this movie at least 100,000 times, and I've never had the insight that Bastion was ALSO being tested by the mirror gate when Atreyu was. But of course...it's a mirror gate. Works both ways. I can pretty much cite this movie line for line, and you just taught me something about it on your first watch through. Color me impressed my friend.

[@freddieparks1417]

in case no one else has said, his mother's name is Moon Child. Growing up with this beautiful classic I could never understand what he said

[@chrisofstars]

yes he says it in three syllables instead of two but he indeed says Moon Child

[@Atlas_Redux]

I absolutely love Jonathan, I 100% would support if the channel was 100% Jonathan Reacts XD

[@vincentramirez8266]

The swamp of sadness scared me as a child 😭

[@michaelanderson5301]

Fun reaction! I've read the Empress, Moon Child, aka Mondenkind, actress had a bit of a lisp due to the clip on teeth she had to wear

[@EvilHandyman]

I saw this when I was little, Im now in my 40's, and this film has been with me my whole life. Always in my mind, in the background somewhere, then pops back up, and i have to watch it. ive prob seen it close to 200 times by now. something about it just stuck with me. every bit of music is amazing. sometimes i just start humming the different themes randomly.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

Another classic one is Labyrinth with David Bowie and Jennifer Connely

[@juliehamilton1270]

My 2 boys still love this film today at 34 and 37 years old! Beautiful story.

[@angelavalentino5146]

The 80’s didn’t know how to hold punches. Imagine being 8-12 years old watching the horse scene. Can’t take a break, can’t pause. It was rough

[@southbayspike]

This was one of my favorite films as a child. I had a cat named Falcor, and I’ve had a horse named Artax. I literally wear the Auryn around my neck daily. I always know someone is cool when they recognize what it is.

[@absolutehonor141]

this was one of my big childhood favorites, and your reaction is the best I've seen, thanks

[@BouillaBased]

This film has traumatized generations.

[@martinrayner6466]

_And inspired them..._

[@greenpeasuit]

Trauma? Bah! This movie is a classic example of why Gen X are so damned grounded! Ataxia from this film? Antie from Honey I Shrunk the Kids? Morph from the original X-men cartoon? OPTIMUS F'ING PRIME!!? Nah, it wasn't trauma, it was training for LIFE!

[@waywardmind]

@@greenpeasuit Seriously. We Gen X didn't have time/weren't allowed to be traumatized. This was just another '80s kids movie, along with The Dark Crystal, etc.

[@JaRyCu]

@@greenpeasuit I still remember seeing Snoopy run away from home and bawling. My Mom asked me what was wrong, and all I could say was "Snoopy ran away!!"

[@barefootanimist]

Engywook's wife was also Finn Raziel in Willow.

[@shanehenry7699]

I just learned something. Thanks.

[@zvimur]

@@barefootanimist also... the eye witness in "A Fish called Wanda"!😈😋

[@Mangolite]

Before Deadpool and Ferris Bueller were breaking the fourth wall, *The NeverEnding Story* gave us its own Russian nesting doll revelation. As Bastian follows the events in Fantasia, you’re right there with him, and so are we-watching you, watching him, watching Atreyu.

[@s.c.sanchez1610]

I never noticed it as a kid but during the initial Ivory Tower sequence, there are several silhouettes of various pop culture characters such as Mickey Mouse & Gumby, along with some Star Wars characters, suggesting that Fantasia was home to all creations born of the imagination.

[@warithwaheed7014]

@@s.c.sanchez1610 and E.T.

[@JanaeSmith]

I bet that's where the South Park guys got the ImaginationLand idea...

[@josoffat7649]

cool, I never noticed that all these years!

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

It is the land where exists all human imagination and fantasy.

[@MjrCoxwell]

there are many themes in this movie- and all are about dealing with LOSS in different ways.

[@LazloHo]

So, I watched this as a kid. I'm about the same age as the actor I think, maybe a year younger. From what I remember, there were no parts that were too tough. The parts I understood, I was old enough to enjoy, and the parts I wasn't old enough for, I just didn't understand. It gave the movie a lot rewatchability in that the older I got, the more I enjoyed it.

[@justinlaboy6837]

In my almost 40 years watching this movie, I never noticed the giant footprints until you pointed them out 😮

[@autonomouspublishingincorp8241]

Yes, raw egg and OJ is the original nutrient smoothy. Eggs contain every protein and vitamin except vitamin C, which Orange Juice contains. The cooking process removes some of that nutrient. While Apple juice contains far more vitamin C than orange juice, that isn't as well known, and the natural viscosity and texture of orange juice can conceal the taste and texture of raw eggs that many find displeasurable. Plus the combination gives the resulting solution a wide range of levels the mixture can be aerated to, depending on personal preference. This makes eggs and OJ the perfect balanced nutritious meal relied on by health professionals and athletes for the past few centuries. (Ever since mass transit made oranges as widely available as eggs)

[@TimSeraphiel]

I was 10 when I watched this film at the cinema in '84 and yes, it left a significant impression on my young mind. I read the book after seeing the film too. Growing up in the 80s was a fantastic adventure. ❤

[@seasaltwaves]

There's something so satisfying about seeing a film reach the right audience. Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this classic :)

[@dracoargentum9783]

9:51 note: the attic is full of all the art and theater props, that the school no longer uses.

[@waywardmind]

Everyone thinks the dad is mean or harsh. That is literally the most empathetic conversation any '80s father could have with his son after the loss of his mother. The father is also grieving, yet he acknowledges Bastion's pain but also recognizes that you can't live in grief. He never raises his voice -- not even the tiniest bit. (f-cking unheard of, certainly in my family) Even some of his admonitions are half-hearted; you can feel a bit of a smirk about drawing horses ("unicorns -- they were unicorns") in his math book. The dad doesn't say he's disappointed in Bastion; he says that he's disappointed that Bastion didn't try out for swim team that year, meaning that Bastion had been on the swim team in previous years. But he isn't disappointed in Bastion. His son is even confortable being the one to start a conversation about his mother and having had a dream about her. It's not like his dad says, "What's your damn problem, huh? Snap out of it. We all have things to deal with." His dad helps him with the jar and gives him a comforting wink, and then Bastion, unsolicited, opens up to his dad. His dad does his best, even as he himself has to deal with the grief of having lost his wife. (edit: If you need any proof that the father has a lot more to him, which that first scene shows, Mr. Corporate Man fell in love with and married a woman named Moonchild. Seriously. Let that sink in. The dad is GOOD.) That first scene is genuinely one of my most favourite in all of cinema.

[@sarahstardust]

@@waywardmind added to that, eggs and orange juice were supposed to be a hangover cure (I've seen it in several movies anyway). Poor dad was getting drunk at night to deal with his grief.

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

Yea and he brought up walking to school alone, that happened, a lot.

[@WulfysGamingTidbits]

And then there's the Rock Biter and his talk about not being able to hold onto the things most precious to him no matter how hard he tried they were just pulled away by the nothing. He can represent both Bastion (who is a child trying to wrap his head around such a horrible loss at such a young age) and his father (who probably feels like it should have been him, it's his survivor's guilt).

[@wham-shirt-trimmer]

Gerald McRaney is best known for the tv series Major Dad.

[@barelzass8847]

At that time it was Simon and Simon 😉

[@wham-shirt-trimmer]

​@@barelzass8847I forgot about that.

[@ToABrighterFuture]

And less known for "Promised Land," a spinoff of "Touched By an Angel." Met him at an MWR event when my ship was deployed to the Med in '93.

[@stephburdick]

Wow! I’ve heard 6 or 7 people react to this movie, and this one tops them all. You love the fantastic story, and you love its messages about real life even more. I really enjoyed watching this roller coaster of a movie with you.

[@ingsve]

What's great about the song is also how it fades in at the beginning going straight into the melody and in the end it just fades out quickly. That way you can just play it back to back as an endless loop without a beginning or and end.

[@remyazharyyosef1811]

I was 8 when this movie was shown at the theater. At the same time, they were also showing A Nightmare On Elm Street in another theater. Guess what! I begged my late dad to bring me to see "Nightmare" instead. I know how twisted that is. But it seemed like I was more curious about horror than a kid's movie.

[@ImpossibleCaseEdits]

This movie and its soundtrack are so iconic! It's been a while since I last watched the film, and I found myself tearing up during your wonderful reaction. I was 12 when this movie came out and I remember how traumatizing the Swamp of Sadness scene was. Talk about a punch to the heart!

[@cullencase3114]

In the book, Artax can speak. The Swamps of Sadness scene in the book is BRUTAL.

[@JeremyMoore-mg1sk]

I love when 1st time watchers realize that they are part of the story too!

[@whoguy4231]

So happy you really enjoyed and appreciated for what an amazing film it was as my generation saw as children. Props to you man 💯

[@ToABrighterFuture]

Noah Hathaway technically wasn't acting in the swamp sequence. They were filming on a wet stage, and Noah's costume somehow got caught in the machinery. So he actually was getting dragged into that muck, and he was in genuine danger of drowning. The panic you see, is real.

[@TheTrueRatPack]

WOW!!! I've NEVER EVER watch somebody celebrating movies like YOU do, Jonathan! It's people like YOU, who lets "Fantasia" NEVER DIE!!! GREAT, GREAT JOB! // Greetings from Germany (the home country of Wolfgang Petersen, the director of this wonderful movie!!) And by the way: Nearly two decades ago I've had the privilege to meet him in person (as well as Bernd Eichinger, the producer) due to my job in the event-business.) // God bless you Jonathan!!!! Those movies are truly made for people like YOU!! WELL DONE!!! "Our Wolfgang" will look down from heaven and I'm absolutely sure, that he enjoyed YOUR joy watching and understanding his movie, the way YOU do... :-))))

[@tazmedic232]

I loved this movie as a kid, and loved watching you enjoy it and connecting with the story. On another note, Jonathan, if you want a ring on your finger, I'll give you one. You are my type of fella.

[@NetanelWorthy]

Scholastic Book Fairs. Yup - Remember those. Good 90’s memories!

[@marcomatroso3575]

these movies from that time really gave valluable meassages to the people watching it. today its all about the effects and getting bigger and bigger. true messages about life are just hiding somewhere. only a few movies these days are really good. born 87 , not really part of the 80´s but my parents showed me alot from that decade and the decades before that time. i think it is important not forget about those eras.

[@IanFindly-iv1nl]

THIS is a FANTASY film, but not a CHILDRENS film necessarily.

[@notsure9802]

I was born in '81. This is one of my favorite childhood movies. Also on the list is Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, Legend, The Dark Crystal, Flight of the Navigator, Hook, and many more. Fantacy movies from that era didn't shy away from deep topics for children. It was fun to rewatch these as I grew up and I would gain new perspectives and insight. I'm a mother of two teenage sons now and it has been such an adventure.

[@DirtyEmpire85]

I almost had an anxiety attack watching that with you... I haven't seen the movie since I was 6 or 7, and I'm almost 40. Those 4th wall breaks really suck you in when you're all alone, make you feel apart of the story itself. 😊👍

[@farrelfoster-lynam6683]

Genuinely traumatizing as a kid in the 80's. First time we learned you could die because of sadness

[@mortisrat]

Not traumatising. We learned that being sad and just giving up could kill you - so we learned to keep moving forward and keep trying. The films back then had things that would make kids sad, but you keep watching it and it all ends well. The first time we experienced these negative emotions it was fake, temporary and in a controlled environment. We learned that things will pass and we learned coping mechanisms for the future - when, inevitably, bad things happen for real. Kids now are so protected that the first time they experience loss or grief, or any of those negative feelings we got from these films, they're adults and it's all real and they've been coddled into having no coping mechanisms for it. THAT'S traumatising.

[@RockBandito]

Mate, Physics, film friend, I love that you're analyzing the aspect ratio and the perfect size of the characters during the effects shots. as well, this gave me bad dreams for years afterwards (at 8 years old)!! To which I say "YEEEESSSSS". GO Wolfgang Petersen :0

[@melissaflora8450]

When I was in college, I found the soundtrack at a used CD store. When listening to it, the music from Artax’s death scene made me cry. That’s how much this movie affected me from my childhood. Similarly, the Gmork music made my heart race.

[@christypriest30]

It was the IN fitness/health idea at the time that it was good for you to eat or drink a raw egg and that’s what the dad did in the beginning

[@scoundrell]

@@christypriest30 I remember reading about how some people use raw eggs and orange juice as a hangover cure. So in my head canon, the dad was dealing with his own grief with alcohol

[@deanahicks6744]

Falkor is the first Dragon I feel in love with❤ This movie open up my love of fantasy at 4 years old ❤ Now with adult eyes I see all the themes and messages and I hold this movie so close to my heart ❤I’m so happy you are enjoying it ❤

[@johnw8578]

May I suggest reacting to: Watership Down, Plague Dogs, Return to Oz, and The Last Unicorn.

[@matttyree1002]

42:30 Movies were just different back then, especially kids movies. They dared to be deep and have mature themes in them, especially before the invention of the PG-13 rating. They respected the intelligence of kids to not only grasp these concepts, but to grow as a result of thinking about them. We 80s kids were a different breed :)

[@cullencase3114]

In the book, Bastian's mother's name was Moon Child. Clearly she was a hippie, or an ex-hippie, at the very least.

[@dcaslick]

It’s also been shown in the subtitles for years too.

[@shinca5044]

@popcorn roulette You gave me new insight on what the film was possibly actually trying to say. That is amazing help. Now, I understand this part one film of the trilogy.

[@neomimzyneomimzy5095]

The German version of this movie (it's a movie from Germany) has differen't music and it's cut (just seconds) differen't to lean even more into the sadness and depression of Bastian. Absolutely wonderful movie that i will always love and will always cry to.

[@christophervillalba4139]

Of all the traumatizing things in this movie, the raw egg in OJ leaves the worst impression.

[@Matthewismynamesofar]

You understood the movie and I loved it. This is my favorite move from when i was little and remains one of my favorites to this day

[@4ME2DRV]

All these years later, I still can't watch the Artax death without tearing up. Him yelling at him to move was so REAL to us.

[@freddieparks1417]

The first time my family was able to rent a VHS player we rented two movies, Super Girl and The Neverending story. We might have watched this movie 6 times in three days. It was an immediate favorite for us and always will be.

[@confessionofabookdragon]

First time watching your channel and loving this video. I remember watching this via Blockbuster and I loving it as a kid and how heartbreaking it is. It’s based on a novel from a German author I believe. There are two other movies in this series and they are okay/baldish but I think the second one is better than the third. Can’t wait to see more videos by you 😊

[@yeoldegamer5112]

Just a heads-up: I was wondering why this had so few views but it is unlisted! I happened to find it by looking through the channel's catalogue. Was this intentional? It would be a shame if people who don't know the movie missed out on it and your reaction. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I saw the movie when it came out either on VHS rental or TV here in Germany. At the time it was definitely a huge thing, the movie and the book too which IIRC became a bestswller again. Just a point or two I would like to make: I think you were a bit harsh on the father, he certainly didn't come across to me as a bad parent. And certainly not as "the evil" of the story 😃 As difficult as it is for his son, he certainly was right on telling him he had to also do his schoool work etc. At the end of their talk he affectionately strokes his son's head. That reinforced the impression that they essentially had a good relationship. Remember, the father had also lost his beloved wife of many years, possibly decades. So he also was grieving and trying to cope with the situation. Anyway, cheers for the reaction and the nostalgia of a time seemingly gone by when Kids or Family movies were for all ages and didn't treat younger viewers like idiots and dumb down everything but also handled difficult subjects.

[@michaelespina5202]

The first reaction I wat he'd you do was "Poltergeist ". Then this showed up on my feed. I love your reactions. They make me super happy. Falkorvwas voiced by Alan Oppenheimer, who also voiced the original Skeletor in He-Man.

[@claymccoy]

The actor who play's Bastian's father plays the lead in the sitcom Major Dad. He was also in the Tv series NCIS :Los Angeles, House of Cards and This is Us.

[@instinct9519]

one of my all time fav's

[@pemberliegh]

I was like 3 when this movie came out and it taught me about loss, grief, despair, and existential dread. It explains a lot about genX and elder millennials. But I mean it also had a lot to say about hope, dreams, imaginations, perseverance, and just a soupçon of petty revenge. It was one of my favorite movies throughout my childhood (and who am I kidding, still is). Which explains a lot about me.

[@ganapatikamesh]

I saw this as a kid and yes it was very emotional at times, scary at times, etc for me and the Artax and Swamp moment still hurts every time I rewatch this movie as it makes me cry even though I'm now 46. When the film came out I had only just began reading books on my own. I remember my elementary school librarian overheard me talking about the movie and she mentioned that the library had copies of the book to check out, but she wasn't sure if my teacher would let me as it wasn't in my age category. So she talked to the teacher and got her approval for me to check the book out. I did read it and it's..........interesting. The film basically covers only the first parts of the book and the second film in the franchise covers another section of the book. I will say that if you get the chance to read the book that the way it uses the medium of a book to do what the film does is a really neat way to use the medium that I definitely didn't appreciate at such a young age. I also like the second film. The third film in the series has nothing to do with the book, but it isn't bad for a kid's movie (I think I didn't appreciate it at the time because I was a teen when that film came out, but rewatching it when my niece was a kid made me realize that it's actually a good kid film). Disney now owns the film rights to the book and is working on "remaking" the film and from what I've read about it thus far I'm intrigue. I agree this film doesn't hold back anything. To be fair, I don't really think many family/kids films in the 1980s really did. Barret Oliver, who plays Bastian, is also in a film called D.A.R.Y.L. and if you think he's good in this film, he's amazing in that one! I saw that one as a kid, too (my parents usually watched films ahead of time to figure out if my sister and I could watch it; this was mostly after The Gremlins fiasco. The church my older cousins went to had decided to take the entire teens and kids to The Gremlins and a lot of us kids got way scared at that movie and we ended up huddled hiding our eyes behind the our teen buddies so afterwards my parents, as did many other parents from the church, made it a thing to watch movies ahead of time to avoid another "Gremlins" situation as they called it). I will say, though, that this movie being as imaginative as it was, like The Dark Crystal and several other fantasy films in the 1980s, did have my cousins, neighborhood friends, schoolmates, etc all playing very imaginative games that we made up that we set in fantasy worlds with different rules, etc. I did write short stories based on some of them when I was a teenager, though I don't remember what I did with many of them. I do remember a lot of the basic concepts of many of them. So "Fantasia" definitely was safe with us! :-) Great reaction! Loved watching it! Even though you're an adult, I feel like your reaction mirrored my own as a kid and so many other kids I knew who watched it thereafter whenever renting it on VHS and even my niece whenever I introduced the film to her.

[@Lucas-Stl]

14:37 I’m glad you saw this version instead of the re-dubbed, the Ivory Tower’s theme just doesn’t have the same impact it has without this Score. 😊 Best Score of the film.

[@NestorCustodio]

I strongly recommend reading the book if you enjoyed this story. The Childlike Empress is given so much more strength and agency in the book, and it has so much more to say about environmental conservation, the need for "home", the desire to care for others, the importance of memories, forgiveness, and so many more wonderful concepts.

[@TheRatsCast]

You had me at Krull

[@larrybee]

❤❤❤ Thank You for reacting to this!!! Your emotions had me tearing up. This movie was part of my childhood, this one and Labrynth. Request I wish you would do a reaction to LEGEND with Tom Cruise, Mia Sara and Tim Curry, it’s amazing and the music aww gorgeous! Done in the early eighties. Thank you for entertaining us!!!

[@ianhill8345]

Great reaction Jonathan to a 80s classic Big thumbs up.

[@yermatedave4930]

For those who really enjoyed the metafictional, nesting-realities aspects of this story, I'd highly recommend the works of Grant Morrison. They're a writer (mostly for comics, but also plays, screenplays and novels) that positively delights in playing with these ideas.

[@cognitiveresonance339]

I couldn't get enough of this movie as a kid in the 80s. I show it to my son and after the horse, he was done. Could never get him to watch it again.

[@michaelsandar]

Those oracles helped a lot of young men through puberty 😅

[@ProBreakers]

This being a reaction video adds one more layer to the Neverending Story.

[@InimicalWit]

Grew up with this movie; definitely an awesome experience. Thanks for letting us see that with you. This is one of the better movies to see someone react to, when we get near the climax lol Other movies like this one that I recommend: "MirrorMask" (2005) "The Pagemaster" (1994) They all certainly go in a pile with The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan 💙💙💙

[@jlerrickson]

This was one of my favorite films as a child, right alongside Secret of NIMH and Hunchback of Notre Dame. Maybe that's why so many kids films now leave me feeling a bit let down. You might really enjoy the book this is based on. It's less about imagination, more about gaining a real sense of self and determining what you truly want. Both are wonderful, though.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

16:25 Bro, how TF did you make this story deeper than it already is? 😮😅

[@Keys-zq1gw]

I like when Falkor and Bastian spots the 3 bullies, Falkor lets out a… RRRROOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!! I bet they never messed with Bastian again and wet their pants. 😂😂

[@frozen1762]

There were a lot of movies like this in the 80s> Return to Oz, Labyrinth, Legend, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time bandits, Princes Bride...This movie also has sequel(s)? I watched only one as a kid and even if it has bad score on imdb I don't think it's that bad. I think kid from SeaQuest tv show plays the lead. But the best content of this type was Jim Henson's series of 9 episodes called "The Storyteller" with John Hurt.

[@EntertainmentFan11]

I was literally watching that show on Prime Video! I really think it could've gone for at least one more season, but NBC was threatening to cancel it due to low ratings. The only way it could gain more notoriety was in The Jim Henson Hour, which Henson originally pitched as a sort of inspiration to the Disneyland TV series that Walt Disney hosted. Too bad NBC wanted him to just condense every idea into an hour. That's what happens when TV studio execs meddle with a great idea: It all goes to pot.