We Finally Understand The Ending Of The NeverEnding Story

Wolfgang Petersen’s 1984 fantasy film The NeverEnding Story was a wild, dark, and magical ride into the fictional wonderland world of Fantasia. It brought the work of German fantasy writer Michael Ende to life along with its wondrous, strange, and terrifying creatures and characters.
The movie follows the story of a boy who stumbles on a magical book that tells a tale of a young warrior who takes on the task of stopping an evil force that is taking over the world of Fantasia.
The movie is filled with various twists and turns and filled with subtle messages that still remain timeless. It’s easy to get lost in the world of Fantasia, but we now finally understand the ending to The NeverEnding Story.
#Movie #Fantasy NeverEndingStory
The Heroes' Journeys | 0:00
Friendship through trauma | 3:05
The fight against despair | 4:21
The Luck Dragon | 5:10
The Swamps of Sadness | 5:48
Apathy and cynicism | 6:49
Triumph of the spirit | 7:39
The anti-bullying message | 8:09
The magic of reading | 8:50
The NeverEnding sequels | 9:58
The NeverEnding Story that never ends | 10:57
Read Full Article: www.looper.com/161273/the-end...

[@Looper]

What movie series from your childhood do you want to learn more about?

[@Totalchaos0228]

Wizards the animated one...its a bit before my time, i found the VHS in my uncles old stuff, i love that movie.

[@princesssolace4337]

There is NO ending!! You are missed inform🙄

[@DotDonahue]

Ok, so I finished the video. Everything else is pretty accurate and well-said. So kudos on that. But the name thing has just got to be corrected!

[@chamab.6800]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Adventures In Babysitting, The Land Before Time

[@essamarz164]

the land before time, the goonies, the wizard and flight of the navigator

[@phillylilmermaid7802]

I don’t care how old I am, that horse scene messes me up for a whole day.

[@jamedraa8472]

Yes. The only thing that comes close is Mufasa's death (Lion King)

[@sammyfangirl]

Just watching this video made my eyes tear up

[@chroniquephilousophique9983]

You can see this movie was made with dedication to convey emotions and purposes. It's not just a fantasy movie, it's a well tought out piece of art. I think that's why these scene still have deep impact on us. And yes...i cry a lot when Atreyu lost his friend. It makes me cry even today.

[@Original-GKP]

just one day....what kind of cold blooded lizard are you... shameful...simply shameful

[@jeremybaker910]

Artex!!!! Stupid horse!! You have to try....you have to care...for me................ Absolutely devastating!!!!

[@EyesOfByes]

I rewatched it 4 years ago as an adult. By myself, on my laptop, in the dark. It felt like I time traveled to my 5 year old self and I cried all night.

[@UnfazedPhoenix]

Watching movies alone is the best. You get to just enjoy it, feel it.

[@oisin1980]

Powerful comment. Bless you

[@thedevilsadvocate8766]

Nothing hits our generation harder than watching Artax sink into the Swamps of Sadness.

[@TheSleepGang]

I just watched it again now 24 and I remember the second one the most

[@Sobie28]

🧁

[@bomboclado8469]

This is my childhood movie. No other film has influenced me as much as The Never Ending Story! I still got this one on original VHS dood.

[@guillegamboa6003]

love this movie same to me best movie ever make me cry

[@pgrothschild]

This and The Labryinth

[@martinmoreno7612]

guillermo gamboa this comment pretty much describes wtf I just witnessed

[@HomeDefender30]

This movie is on Netflix right now... I made my family watch it... I haven’t seen it as an adult.... I was blown away by all the plot points I never understood as a child.

[@ACarr1]

Same I watched this continuously and would constantly replay it.

[@ayeeye1524]

If you’re here, you’re family lol hello 80s kids 👋🏾

[@AlmostHeaven]

Aye Eye Hello 👋 that's me 😆

[@ayeeye1524]

Hey how are ya 😂👋🏾 wasn’t our childhood awesome???

[@ayeeye1524]

Pegasus nah your parents are outstanding lol

[@markdunn9312]

1983 and now I'm 36

[@gaiamethodearthways]

...or the parents of 80's kids. :-D

[@hyshade5132]

I cried SO hard for that horse.

[@deaconblues9178]

HyShade Artix you’re sinking!

[@ashantiphillips3917]

About to cry thinking about it 😭

[@ladydnavarone3447]

HyShade 🥺 I still do

[@antonetteganues5717]

The kids and I all cried.

[@katyburns9758]

Me too, me too 😞

[@SlipperyBream]

They just dont make films like this anymore. Timeless classics.

[@parzivalSkywalker]

True so true

[@Hoopergames]

@@parzivalSkywalker ok boomers

[@Gymantis]

They do. What you consider to be a timeless classic is not the same timeless classic to another generation.

[@marykay8587]

@@therecanonlybeone7131 the book is so much better

[@manuelmolina5368]

I agree. ☺️👍👍

[@matthewwriter9539]

There is a scene in the movie where Atreyu stops to have lunch, and Bastian also stops in that moment to eat. I ALWAYS pause the movie right there and get something to eat. Who else is with me on this?

[@Ivy94F]

It also makes you want an apple. He tears that apple up like its the tastiest thing on the planet.

[@kaboart]

Every time

[@alexm4994]

Yes! But..”not too much. We still have a looong way to go!!

[@babylondon9893]

😂🤦🏽😂😂😁

[@gokublack7658]

The "Neverending Story" and "Chrono Trigger" are in my top 10 greatest stories ever told!

[@adnaanu]

The never ending story, The Dark crystal, Labyrinth, Willow and Legend are the quintessential 1980s dark fantasy films for kids.

[@amouramarie]

LEGEND. That movie messed me up as a kid because I was disturbingly sexually attracted to Tim Curry as the demon. Like, he oozed sexuality, and kids do actually pick up on that, but they know they're considered too young and *shouldn't* know anything about that, so it causes anxiety and guilt. I should watch it again so I can just enjoy his sexuality now that I'm an adult! :p

[@adnaanu]

@@amouramarie lol I know what you mean.

[@jasongonzalez5638]

Yes Sir!

[@kokomo74149]

Don't forget about the Goonies and Ghostbusters. While aimed to be slightly more light hearted... both deal with dark themes hard for kids to understand. There's others I can't think of on the spot but I grew up in louisiana so of course I was drawn to the dark themed movies. Lol In fact, I would throw in Ladyhawke. A lesser known movie that was along the lines of legend and Willow.

[@jamesking1033]

and Flight of The Navigator

[@cattmeowmeow]

Growing up in the 80's, I watched this film religiously. Ugly crying into a pillow every time Artax sank into the Swamp, and getting choked up at the scene where the Rockbiter describes losing his friends. As an adult, I now proudly sport an Auryn tattoo and wait until my little girl is old enough to watch too.

[@niene82]

Read the book to her. It's even better than the movie.

[@MessianicJewJitsu]

Did you read her the book yet?

[@nickwarren60]

Ive read the book. I also have Auryn tattooed in the middle of my chest

[@shodannadohs4045]

Atreyu killed Artax. He had the Auryn on

[@RaikenXion]

So glad i grew up in the 80s and early 90s. We were truly in the best time, a very Creative time. I wouldn't trade it at all for growing up in this messed up era today.

[@thediabeticpup]

I think this film validated all the kids of the world who lives their lives with noses buried in books, or video games. Role-playing, this film, it made me feel special.

[@Totalchaos0228]

It was definitely one for the misfits.😉

[@vmorales225]

Only if you are able to apply it in the real world like the protagonist. Its suppose to inspire you in the real world, but if you never go back well then it's a loss.

[@thediabeticpup]

@@vmorales225 of course. If you never leave, what is the point. Using it as an escape for a while is fine. Forever, never.

[@swanpride]

Well, the movie covers only half of the book. The first half is about the importance of fantasy. The second half is about the importance of finding your way back if you delved into a fantasy world. It is also exploring story-telling on a meta-textual level. The book is actually studied on university level over here. The movie, while quite good, doesn't even come close to it. And the ending is one of the reasons why it doesn't. The thing is that in the book NOTHING which was lost in the first half comes back. Bastian creates a new fantasia, but Atrax aso stay dead.

[@FreyaEinde]

@@swanpride Yeah, that never say die quality of fantasy is definitely an American and specifically a Disney influenced quirk. Old school fantasy is typically a pinch more cruel and less neat in their endings.

[@mhavocstl1275]

My daughter (born 2012) now shares my love for this classic childhood fairytale. It truly is a timeless story. Neverending Story is one of her's and my top favorite films.

[@mandiemoore3272]

That is doing parenting right

[@kristhoperlukemcfadden7620]

This was the harry potter of my generation. Such an incredible book, and movie.

[@janci00019]

interesting! i grown up on both.

[@Andrew-df1dr]

So much better than Harry Potter.

[@nifftbatuff676]

Harry potter who?

[@t1bb1es]

The neverending story is one film I have a strong connection with- in part due to my great great uncle being in the movie. He played engywook, the old man who helps atreyu through the gates. His name was Sydney Bromley. ^^

[@Hinatachan360]

That is so cool!

[@t1bb1es]

@@Hinatachan360 right? :3 unfortunately Im too young to have ever met him- the stories I bet he could tell xD

[@Tinuvielthefair]

Awwww, that's so awesome! I love this movie. Everyone did such a great job on it!

[@Nipponsuki]

That’s really cool. I wonder if the cast ever kept any set moments.

[@t1bb1es]

@@Tinuvielthefair it's one of my favourites :3 aside from that, my favourite childhood movies are Pokémon the movie and watership down

[@wetterschneider]

The narrative does happen again and again, every time the book is read. That's the point.

[@stephenmcook]

That wasn't the "Never-ending Story", though. The Never-ending story was the story that the Old Man of Wandering Mountain was forced to write by the Childlike Empress. The movie kind of skipped several chapters, there. The title of the movie makes no sense, really, when you leave out those chapters. The (movie) story _isn't_ never-ending. It ends and starts over over and over, yes, but that's not "never-ending". The story that the Old Man was writing, however, WAS never-ending (with only one possibility of escaping the eternal loop).

[@Beetwixt_N._Janeen2112]

One of the most supreme movies ever made - then and now. "Come for me Gmork, I am Atreyu!"

[@Dr.Bright87]

*Gmork.

[@Beetwixt_N._Janeen2112]

@@Dr.Bright87 Thanks professor Peabody! 👍

[@deliquescencemusic]

I can’t handle seeing his horse sink....it still kills me

[@selfademus]

Delique Scence it kills the _horse._

[@RVC1510]

First time I saw this movie I was so immersed that when the movie ended I felt completed disoriented. It was hard to come back to reality.

[@jasong9492]

So you, like Bastian, were drawn in to the world of Fantastica (look it up). Read the book. Its so freaking good.

[@TearsoftheAeon]

Me too

[@atherwitch]

Same, this move and the Dark Crystal totally transfixed me as a child

[@miith]

This movie was like weed for me as a kid.

[@Weightlossjourney24]

2+3 neverending story wasn't as good as 1

[@Robin-Marlo]

The Nothing is actually depression.

[@MWcrazyhorse]

The nothing is fear. PHOBOS. Another name for Satan. Or you could say despair.

[@phoenixmoon5580]

The black dog/wolf was apparently a political person's name for 'depression'. I think it was Winston Churchill. Interesting symbolism huh?! Also, the self-worth, Atreyu's continual 'I can't do it!'.

[@MWcrazyhorse]

@@phoenixmoon5580 Well Churchill was easily one of the most evil people of the last century so it would be fitting.

[@richardlandis793]

Robin Marlo Including hopelessness and all other negative aspects of life if we allow ourselves to give in to them. We can overcome these things as we learn about ourselves with God's help (James 1:5-6), and stay true to our core values.

[@julide88]

When I watched the movie as a child I thought it was about growing up and losing your dreams and imagination. That's why everything disappeared. Because people were (like Bastian's father) more about superficial things, which would also fit into the 80s becaue people were hyped about wealth. He even said something like he should keep both feet on the ground when they were talking about how bad he was at school and how he drew unicorns in his maths book or something.

[@HopeRock425]

His dad doesn't bully him, he is just as depressed as Bastian is about Bastian's mom's death you got the character completely wrong. He is hopelessness and despair not a bully.

[@poisonerlady]

Most bullies are, a bully is not evil encarnated, most of the time is confused, lonely and depressed but the result is the same. Bastian feels desqualified by his dad's words, uncared for (his feelings are not recognized as important). I don't think that the father was doing it out of evil, he was in a bad situation, probably struggling within himself and probably that was the way he was brought up but that is not an healthy approach.

[@Adam.Rushing]

I have dealt with very similar to this, personally. The father is ABSOLUTELY NOT "bullying", you are correct. He's showing his son, by example, how to pick himself back up. He has to show his son how to be a man...that's in the job title of being a father. In order to be a man, you cannot let life keep you down. It is your job to provide for your family, and to be a role mode of strength for your children. Life cannot win, pain cannot overcome you. You must triumph. Period. Thank you dad, for teaching me this lesson.

[@MurphySullivan]

I disagree and angry with u. The father is not a traditional bully but he is using a bully-ing tactic on his son. The father is depressed and is trying to cope with his emotions by suppression and avoidance. Like the author in this video says he is making his son ashamed of his sadness in the mask of adulthood and masculinity. Bullying is defined as a constant and continuous emotional or physical attack on another. Though I agree the father has his best intent, he is ‘bullying’ the boy. I’m not an emotional person and find weepy or sensitive ppl annoying, but I can not fault them for coping with whatever they are going through. Everyone reacts differently to lose. It takes someone more educated than me to help navigate that mess. Someone can be going through the worse, be sympathetic but still a bully..... IMHO

[@HopeRock425]

My opinion is based on the book and that's what the book was portraying him to be, a depressed adult who doesn't know how to deal with his emotions so he pretends they're not there and since Bastian reminds him of his wife he ignores him too. I do agree that the movie portrayed him as ignorant for no reason and maybe that's why some people think he's a bully but he is not.

[@boedye]

@@Adam.Rushing The concept of being an adult male is lost on a generation of perpetual children. They would call what you describe "toxic masculinity" because they lack the fortitude to actually cope with life and push on through. To be sure, there are healthy ways to deal with loss and grief. But here is a man who is a husband first, and a father second, who is now coping with the loss of his entire world, and the sudden responsibility of maintaining a house and a son on his own. The man's entire life was ripped away from (and most married men would understand what I mean by this... and married women, too). Bastion lost his "world" effectively, but in vastly different way. Bastion does not have the responsibility of his father, and the whole world in front of him, whereas his father is reaching those years where his life is behind him. Perspectively "moving forward" looks worlds different as Bastion will have more opportunity to fall in love, date, make choices, have companionship, his father, his world, his reality has been shattered whereas Bastion is still making his world and his reality.

[@KiLovely]

Rest in Peace Jonathan Brandis. It's 2019 and I still miss seeing his face. I loved watching him on TV shows and movies.

[@Labyrinthine_Complexities]

Yeah it sucks when Hollywood molests you and gay shames you.

[@nykiasmith7404]

I always thought he was cute as a kid lol but yes it’s sad

[@avalonspawn]

Agreed, this broke my heart as a kid. I had the biggest crush on him as a kid, and I took his loss so hard.

[@ericapaul7989]

Omg I thought I was the only one!! He will forever be my biggest crush. I wallpapered my room with pictures of him from tiger beat!! ❤❤😍

[@thegreatrainman2336]

This movie is so underated. I saw this as a child and it shook my world wtf

[@vperkv6554]

This movie still holds up to this day.

[@roberthudson5283]

...........................does it though?

[@Luccimatic]

It's good for how much is missing. I'd be ok with it being twice as long plus put in all the stuff missing from atreyus adventure and maybe the entire second half of the book.

[@velara314]

@@Luccimatic In the future, in another time when money is not an object hopefully someone will make a series of it.

[@mischarowe]

@@roberthudson5283 Even without 21st century technology, The Neverending Story is still a far better movie than most movies (if not all) now.

[@charlesmetal8224]

The special effects are lacking by modern standards, but could easily be worse. The movie is still pretty good, though can be spooky and surreal in some places for younger children.

[@HopeHendershot-Moskal]

Upvote if you've actually read The NeverEnding Story.

[@alexanderschick835]

As always the book was better.

[@DJenser]

Way better. I love how it had red type for the real-world chapters and green type for the Fantasia chapters.

[@sophiasarafova1584]

The movie entirely misses the part about Bastian almost losing himself as he recreates Fantasia and then has to go on a journey of self discovery that allows him to understand and forgive his father. Powerful stuff, that book!

[@tim-kevinwahlert250]

It was the best Singlebook oy my entire life! I really loved it!!!🥰❤

[@pastapartyify]

Luther Moskal I saw the movie once but read the book many times. I feel like I can’t love the movie the same way I love the book. The movie is so unfinished

[@traceydelfs2657]

I hope this movie is never lost to time and forgotten. Its sad to think how many children don't even know it exists.

[@alitabooger8664]

If this movie gets a reboot, it will suck so bad.

[@zarephal4998]

Haha ignoring the 2005 remake continue to ignore the remake and the 3rd movie jack blacks first movie never ending story 3 I mean there's only 2

[@nunyabizness6376]

Shhhh, they'll hear you...

[@MajinBuuButtercup]

@@nunyabizness6376 {don't wake DISNEY... 😱}

[@matsujonen]

@@zarephal4998 those are called sequels. Remakes are different...

[@franklinwenzler6023]

I’m sure if they do remake it. They will some how make It Woke as fuck and then go broke because of it An all female cast and basin and falkor gets killed in the first two seconds of the movie. (R.i.p. Terminator franchise )

[@Mimi-cq4bg]

That scene in the swamps of sadness still chokes me up. Im 41 and its still there.

[@SethHMG]

I read that as “I’m still there” at first and thought “Relatable”.

[@jonathanchang1574]

After hearing her go through the synopsis for the second time, it's obvious Looper has no idea what the Neverending Story was about. But what Looper does have is some social message it wants to project onto the movie, so it keeps haphazardly picking out examples to supports what it wants to say. It didn't even bother to organize, which is why it sounded like the synopsis went through 4 times. The trope in The Neverending Story is not new: Children, who are growing up, leave the innocence and imagination behind. Fantasia represents the collective worlds and characters we all dream up. The Nothingness represents the children abandoning their imaginary worlds. However, all it takes is another child to reaffirm the fantasy for Fantasia to exist. It's not rocket science. It doesn't require anything about hope, cynicism, or any social political commentary of our modern world. It is a timeless inversion of the coming of age story. Instead of growing up, the child reaffirms his childhood.

[@nifftbatuff676]

In the book, the "Nothing" is an instrument of control and fascism.

[@joshuaesposito5409]

completely agree with you.Themes of colonisation had me lost. What on earth is she trying to shoe horn in. your analysis is spot on

[@GobiSubramaniam]

Never ending Story is a timeless tale. Even 100 yrs from now, kids will still watch it and understand its metaphor.

[@rickg8015]

Looper: “Dad bullying” Me: Parenting in the 80’s

[@DivaEsquire]

Her voice is so annoyingly patronizing, it makes me want to hurl. This mans wife died, and his son is spacing out. They are both grieving and he’s not bullying.. he’s parenting to the best of his damn ability.

[@itdadof3]

It is sad that she sees the father as bullying his son. He is hurting, just differently than his son. Instead of getting closer he's trying to protect himself and he thinks he's helping his son.

[@michellem5647]

Wish the word bullying would go away...in the 80’a it was called being picked on...& everyone went thru it

[@melody8923]

This made me so angry. It's not bullying. They both suffered traumatic loss, they're both grieving and they both have trouble communicating that to one another. The catharsis of the book (not really shown in this movie) is that they learn to communicate their feelings for one another that they've been holding in. Has nothing to do with parenting in the 80s at all, except maybe that people were less aware of how important it is to talk to their children.

[@michellem5647]

Brent Larcom yes but today every one is beyond over sensitive & it sux

[@santosreyes6682]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I am 38 years old and the scene where Artax dies is still very painful to this day. But the movie has taken on a different meaning for me as I’ve grown and experienced my own hopelessness and challenges.

[@Metafron]

Books and video games (RPGs especially) were my escapes from real life so this movie really resonated with me on a personal level as a kid. Still does to this day.

[@bensun432]

This movie is amazing, heart-wrenching and inspiring

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

When I first saw the childlike empress I instantly fell in love back in 1984.

[@parzivalSkywalker]

The Neverending Story should never be remade

[@AnthonyWilliams_83]

Jacob Sullivan Agreed

Then you haven't read the book. There are many changes from it, some of them big. The scene of the swamp is even more depressing. The horse *speaks* and tells Atreyu that he want's to die. And the scene were the Child Empress gets her new name... let's say she doesn't beg for a name.

[@parzivalSkywalker]

@ I know it's different from the book but it's still a good movie to watch though

@@parzivalSkywalker what I mean is that someone could make a closer-to-the-book version, covering the whole book.

[@parzivalSkywalker]

@ you make a good point there

[@KrypticNerve]

The most amazing part about this movie is that , as old as it is . this movie still draws crowds/has a huge audience as well as the fact that those who know and love the movie have passed it on to future generations!

[@CullenRick]

Back when film makers remembered how narrative is supposed to work. Films telling a story that matters, where the hero(es) have to struggle to overcome their doubts - rather than a 120 minute socio-political rant. Films that live on in the heart of some of the people who watch them for decades - rather than being forgotten almost as soon as the credits roll.

[@josedolores6623]

even a warrior is not immune to grief.

[@Kap00rwith2os]

I loved this movie when I was a kid, I watched this with my dad 100 times, and the symbolism was never lost on me. Thanks for the Nostalgia kick Looper ❤️

[@TheOn3LeftBehind]

I cried during this because I connect with it so much. I've always loved this movie. I was bullied from elementary school until the end of high school and dealt with abuse at home. To go to school to be bullied and to go home and be abused is why I have such bad PTSD and probably why I developed rheumatoid arthritis (people with trauma have an increased risk for autoimmunity). My escape was and still is books and art. Art is my creative outlet and when I don't create I my depression gets worse. I think many of us with trauma have an internal world where dreams come true. I used to daydream all the time (and still do sometimes) about my ideal life without pain. My trauma has turned me into an advocate for those who are stepped on, and I'm grateful for being able to stand up and fight for what's right when no one does, but I also now have the price of severe mental health issues and autoimmunity complications that bring me down daily.

[@mjmj919]

I am hope your doing ok now. Please know you can manifest your new reality , very similar to this story.

[@TheSlayerPlayer]

Get over it.

[@eshun-niiroyal8093]

​@@TheSlayerPlayer not nice....you've not walked in this individuals shoes...TO have a lack of understanding

[@peteallyn412]

I hope you’re doing better

[@claymore9032]

​@@eshun-niiroyal8093 there's a cool Seneca nation saying that is also used in a book title "walk two moons in their moccasins".

[@mathewmcgill6266]

This is a really great picture that was perfectly cast, especially the empress who was a magnificently beautiful young girl. I loved this picture.

[@whoanellynelnel3874]

Whenever I would watch this as a child, I would eat an apple with Bastian

[@darkb4light06]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ashantiphillips3917]

Me too!!

[@DistractibleDan]

"that's a great idea"

[@charleyhill9867]

Did you cry with him too?

[@whoanellynelnel3874]

@@charleyhill9867 bless, it's ok. No need to ask, you're amongst friends. If you wanna admit you cried then admit it.

[@InTheGlow135]

I grew up in the 80’s, there is only one Neverending Story for me!

[@LoriCrabtree31]

I didn't know there was a second one, then she mentions a third?!

[@mzjoz83]

@@LoriCrabtree31 Same here!!!

[@Sunbro413]

I grew up in the 90's and I didn't know about the sequels either. As much as I want to see a young Jack Black, I'ma hafta pass on those and stick with the original

[@rachagainstthemachine.]

Ditto 👍

[@grantzelenick8200]

@@LoriCrabtree31 Part 3 has Jack Black in it

[@WWTaveler]

I never got over seeing this movie when I was a kid in the 80s. Never. I recently watched on Amazon Prime and yes, the scene with the horse always got me. Always did. Always will.

[@damiynkail616]

If this movie gets a reboot, they only need one script...the original book by Michael Ende.

[@GretSeat]

Never understood why they don't just use books as the script. Who cares if it isn't "Hollywood", the people who will go and see it are the fans.

[@pyloros6906]

This movie is only the first half of the book

[@davidhonez8859]

@@GretSeat they don't want to make a movie just to appeal to the fans, it is a much smaller audience. Just look at infinity war.

[@joechitengwa4017]

Easily one of my favorite movies.. one of two movies that actually brought me to tears..💯

[@joechitengwa4017]

@sean pittaway E.T. lol.

[@AngelVoice23]

Bastian was literally me all through school and I am using 'literally' correctly in all ways except I'm female. Books were always my escape. I guess this is why The Neverending Story is one of my favorite pieces of fiction. I've even read the book and suffered through the third film.

[@XDrakeX1]

Did you also crush on the childlike empress or where you jealous of her or something else? I always wanted to know how little girls felt about her since i certainly know how little boys felt about her ^^

[@CBMOA]

Cartoons were pretty much my escape

[@benjaminandrew9057]

The Child-like Empress was always what I remembered from this movie. Her tortured cry of "Bastian say my name!" for some reason can always make me cry even as an adult.

[@topshonuff]

The Childlike princess’s name is “Moon Child!!”. It’s Sebastian’s mom’s name. Except, I don’t ever remember ever saying her name.

[@outdoorcoaching]

This story coloured my childhood. These days, seeing the story, brings back deep felt memories of a magic time in my life, a time long gone. My mother passed away this year, and she loved this story... ,,It has to hurt if it's to heal"...

[@cardiacade]

Yup, I've had the same year, stay strong.

[@Demogorgon47]

I've always loved the idea of "The Nothing" or "Emptiness". It's a deceptively powerful metaphor for human existentialism. I don't remember watching The Never Ending Story but I might re-watch them. At best for inspiration for my own story I'm writing about hopelessness and the feeling of emptiness and how it leads to nothing. They're very powerful metaphors and they resound to so many people.

[@GreatMCGamer]

Wasn't the movie about people losing their ability to "Imagine" And Nothing was simply the lack of imagination. Same way the story book "Gradually lost words the further it got" to force the reader to "Imagine"/""fill" them.

[@floorvandeven7151]

Thats how I saw it too, especially since the old man in the book shop was critisizing the growing interest in technology and decreasing interest in books

[@carmenm.rodriguez2440]

The Neverending Story, Labyrinth and The Princess Bride is my perfect trilogy of movies... I can watch them anytime... ❤🥰

[@thabuloodles9209]

I remember watching this movie as a kid Made me pick up a book hoping I could experience what Bastian experienced lol

[@aidanmccarthy8278]

I’m only here for the jokes about finding the end to a never ending story

[@raymondgerlach3148]

That's just the point. There is no end.

[@lilsammich8252]

Appendix C Ending.

[@vperkv6554]

But, it doesnt end. It should have but then the sequel came out and it ended ......

[@jtownants3215]

You know what else never ends? This is the song that never ends. Yes, it goes on and on my friends. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was. And the'll continue sing it forever, just because this is the song that never ends. Yes, it goes on and on my friends.

[@jedhawkins1769]

The Neverending Story is one of the greatest films ever made. It's just as powerful as it was back in 1984. A cult classic and a timeless masterpiece of 80's fantasy films. I just really wish that it would've gotten the whole book that it was based on.

[@BP-BotPro]

you can get the book, but it looks nothing like the book in the movie...

[@jedhawkins1769]

@@BP-BotPro At least it got the spirit of the book

[@willythewhale2235]

I was born in 2000 but I’ve seen all these movies. They were stuck in my head for a while not knowing where I got these faint memories from. Now that I’m an adult I will rewatch these movies again

[@TheRennDawg]

I don't care how old, how tough or anything else, when Atrax dies you cry.

[@maguffle]

Truth

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

Truth. Especially, if you own horses. If you have horses on your farm, you love them like your kids.

[@muhammadal-baghdadi9660]

But seeing him at end was magnificent

[@cIeetz]

trying to understand the ending of a neverending story is redundant

[@divergent_bowtie1066]

just trying to understand what name he shouts is hard enough lmao

[@raymondgerlach3148]

Duh

[@lilsammich8252]

It always ends with "Say my name biatch!"

[@brianschumacher891]

Check My PLAYLISTS no it’s not redundant, it’s.... inevitable.

[@mystierayn1077]

@@divergent_bowtie1066 Same! I never understood what he shouted!!

[@Hottool365]

The original movie is the only one we acknowledge.

[@marcimousie]

gregory18000 the first movie only actually goes through the first half of the book. The second half of the book is the second movie. Those wishes to fix Fantasia come at a pretty big cost and the point is the book actually heals the wound between father and son.

[@scribblingjoe]

Just watching the clip of Artax sinking got me choked up.

[@FlintlockRebel]

That scene with the horse? It still hurts.

[@kukukachu]

It's gonna hurt even more when you find out that that horse actually died during that scene and the kid almost died.

[@RivendareRogue]

@@kukukachu The horse was actually given to Noah Hathaway after filming as a gift. It didn't die.

[@FlintlockRebel]

@@kukukachu Thats a myth. The actual horse didn't die during the scene.

[@kukukachu]

@@FlintlockRebel If it's a myth then why is it in the bonus features?

[@kukukachu]

@@RivendareRogue ...no Go watch the bonus features that came with the DVD.

[@Icetoka2]

best classic movie ever. you know they really dont make movies like this anymore.

[@macaroniman6555]

This movie will always hold a special place in my heart

[@moderusprime]

I understood the ending when I was a 5 year old kid when the movie came out.

[@jan-erikella7772]

Michael Ende's novel (on whose first half the film is based) is heavily influenced by Aleister Crowley's Thelema. The most obvious references are the Auryn's inscription ("Do what thou wilt") and the name Bastian gives to the Childlike Empress ("Moonchild"), but it doesn't stop there. As for the hero's journey, the real fun begins in the (nearly unfilmable) second half of the novel, where Bastian misinterprets the Auryn's inscription and loses his whole identity to the hero-persona he crafts for himself by wishing for all sorts of strengths and powers.

[@gibby8018]

Looper: “We finally understand the ending of the never ending story” Me: *Impossible*

[@jasmith0523]

Preston Garvey sure looper, whatever you say

[@NessysSanctuary]

I have only watched this movie once it hurt too much. I did not realize until I watched this I think I blanked it out. I am a grown woman and I am crying as though I was a kid. Man this film devastated me as a child the memorize are flooding back I was not prepared. Thanks for the upload. I mean it in a positive way.

[@charlesballiet7074]

this is one of those childhood story so powerful that it builds character in the viewer.

[@Firejewel1]

If you loved the movie growing up, I really suggest finding the book. The actual book from Michael Ende was wonderful!

[@michaezell4607]

@@PatricioINTP that's what the author had in mind when he wrote it.

[@afriend9428]

*You get the free symbol or medallion too with the book It’s on the cover!*

[@punk1attitude]

But that is another story and shall be told another time.

[@Firejewel1]

I wish I did! Instead I got it tattooed! 😆

[@lakep7798]

punk1attitude 🤣🤣🤣‼️

[@RobCooper-Bachatador]

Over harsh on the father, stoicism is lorded in men however its easy to see his father is still battling his own grief. Ideally he could put it aside to support his son but the 'nothing' that grief brings is a harsh demon to fight when men lack support networks to do so.

[@ellieadkinson3657]

When I first watched the movie as a little girl, I was completely in love with Falkor and all I wanted was to take a nap against his side. Side note: My library actually has or had the Michael Ende book. SIDE side note: the theme song makes me cry because it’s so beautifully done. Anyone else?

[@colleenhahn7205]

I was a young adult when this movie came out, but I cried buckets when that horse died. On a different note, what a fabulous explanation this video provided for the movie!

[@corimyers4985]

The only reaction I had to the horse was that it pulled me completely out of the story, because even as a child, I saw a terrified horse. You brought back that childhood trauma just showing it to me. I remember asking my own mother why they couldn't see how scared that horse was? I could see it.

[@Hocklie333]

I loved this movie. The ending was easy to understand even when I watched it as a child. I was born in the early 80s so movies like this have a special place in my heart. It's right up there with the Goonies. Because it's "🎵Good enough, for you is, good enough, for me is good enough🎵" 😊

[@thoseflippincards3597]

This movie was Wayyyyy ahead of it's time!! Classics never die!!!

[@dontgetcaughtslippn6075]

This movie was one of my favorite movies as a kid. Artax succumbing to the “quick sand” definitely popped a nerve when watching the sequence. Was also very scared when the black cat first made its appearance in the movie

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

I'm 43 years old I was 8 years old when this movie came out.I used to like it alot. it was a great movie filled with adventure .. At least for its time

[@VenomXII]

I cried through this entire video. waves of emotion completely over taking me from the memories of this movie. To this day, this movie is one of the all time best.

[@VengeDracul]

Being the fact I was born in 75, This movie is my Childhood. Well always love this movie. Cause it's so true on so many Levels. I think every child needs to sit down and enjoy this movie. Or Adults that never seen or heard of it.

[@bodipsypha]

A wonderful, great, all time classic movie! Powerful messages throughout the whole film, I absolutely love this film!

[@jimmyfoppiano2822]

Much like the Dark Crystal and other films from my childhood....i love this movie but haven't seen it in years. The first movie I've seen in theaters. My parents brought me so I might have a hard time watching this because I lost my mom earlier this year. R I. P. Mommy, I miss you!

[@alishagadsden8406]

So very sorry for your loss🕊

[@jimmyfoppiano2822]

@@alishagadsden8406 thank you so much, Alisha. I appreciate it!

[@afriend9428]

*Buy a copy of the DVD sir and re-live the memories sir!* ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[@jimmyfoppiano2822]

@@afriend9428 someday I will

[@michaelrogers526]

Sorry for your loss, pal.

[@farstepper8792]

Even the memory of the movie brings even emotions to me. Those memories help me through today's madness coming from all sides.

[@CzarsSalad]

THIS. IS. MY. CHILDHOOD.

[@theoutcast5560]

This was my childhood. And I recently watched it again and man I felt like a kid again

[@badxblondie]

One of my favorite childhood movies 💖💖 The part where he looses his horse gets me every time 😭😭😭

[@inkhaotic4426]

You didn't explain nothing. You just recapped the movie. What about never ending story 2?

[@floodx4947]

It sucked.

[@lenajohnson6179]

We do not speak of such things!

[@bdragon2214]

Part 2 and 3 Do not exist!!

[@csp.9203]

The unfortunate thing is that Part 2 was the actual second half of the book. It was nowhere near as bad at Part 3.

[@Tinuvielthefair]

That's what I was going to say, too. She recapped the films and talked about some of the themes but didn't actually go into what any of it actually meant. The NeverEnding Story is about the destruction of our imaginations. The Nothing represents "the Real World", or the loss of childhood imagination. And, I actually love NEII. It's still heartfelt and pretty good acting. The actors are trying and while it has no where near the budget of NE, it's trying to end the whole of the book. A lot of the events taking place in NE2 actually happen in the book. Bastion goes into the world of Fantasia and begans making wishes. Every wish he makes, he forgets who he is in the Human world. This has happened to almost every child who comes to Fantasia before him. I think this is supposed to highlight the dangers of getting too deeply into a fantasy realm that you forget yourself. Ziaeda exists in the book. There is this extremely sad part when they go to this place called the Forgotten City and they find all these past children who've forgotten who they are and lost the ability to go home forever. They all took the same route Bastion had been taking. It shows him how dangerous forgetting your true self can be: absolute power corrupting absoluty, and how Atreyu had been trying to warn him all along the dangers of making wishes with Auryn. It's a beautifully written book and writing this makes me both sad and wanting to read it again. NE3 is garbage, and doesn't exist. The only good thing about that piece of filth is Jack Black. That's it. Don't watch it, seriously, it will make you want to kill things.

[@strickerarts]

This movie was so sad, but soooo good honestly. I just saw this today as well and im an early 2000s kid. Absolutely love the plot.

[@bradleyungles8605]

Watching this as a parent, I can sympathize with dad more. Give him some grace, our kids always do stuff that goes counter to how we were raised and we think it's not normal, but is. I think it's unfair to call him a bully.

[@chimken4532]

Looper: *Finds the ending of the never ending story* Master Chief: Wait that’s illegal

[@afriend9428]

Navy HALO? On the XBOX?

[@thomaswillard6267]

@@afriend9428 The joke is from Red Vs Blue

[@TheKensta88]

@@NavyNexus_ Not Church, It was Caboose who said that.

[@lucindamobley5492]

I saw The Neverending Story II before I saw the first one, and in retrospect I'm glad that I did because partly it made the first movie better for me, and in the second movie they redeemed Bastians father by engaging him in the story this time around and connecting more with his son.

[@retrogamelover2012]

Yeah... Although, it's kind of a shame that the sequal kind of seemed like a let-down in places, and only really seemed to borrow concepts from the 2nd half of the book, rather than really try to adapt it well. Either way, nothing can really be worse than the embarassment that the 3rd movie was. Certainly makes it kind of understandable why the OG author's estate, currently has a vice-like grip on the IP, these days.

[@lucindamobley5492]

@@retrogamelover2012 I felt that way when I saw the third movie. That one just felt like a big cluster f*** in comparison to both of the previous two. At least with the second movie it was fun and enjoyable film, as opposed to the last one which just felt lazy and uninspired.

[@MorroTreece]

This movie and Krull were wild to watch as a kid.

[@AfroCuban4life]

I'll never get over Jonathan Brandis. RIP

[@OtherworldPodcast]

In The Neverending Story, Engywook explains the Magic Mirror Gate to Falkor, he says that the mirror shows a person their true nature. Brave men are cowards. Kind men are cruel. so when Atreyu looks into the Magic Mirror Gate, why does Atreyu see Bastion and Bastion see Atreyu? I think it is because Bastion as the main protagonist of the story is the same as Atreyu, as the empress said: "Just as he is sharing all your adventures, other's are sharing his." Its a 4th wall break inside a 4th wall break. Atreyu realises he is the main character of the book about him, the same way bastion realises he is the main character of the movie that we are watching. This proves to them both that anything is possible. The movie has a great underlining message about the world of books and film and that if people don't pay attention to something it will ultimately fail and turn to nothing. A.K.A - Destroyed by the "Nothing". It's a pretty deep message for a kids movie. What do you think? Maybe I'm overthinking it.

[@Nipponsuki]

He didn’t name her Moon Child after his mom that was just Hollywood making it seems so, the book never really mentions his mom at all. It would be interesting to know why. I book portrays the childlike empress not so innocently or childlike she never sat back and cried and pleaded with Bastian she climbed up a giant icy mountain top barefoot and in her gown where the old man was writing the book as it was being written and trapping Bastain in a Neverending loop thus forcing him to give her a new name he actually didn’t have a choice. Let’s just all agree NES 3 never happened though that empress is a wonderful actress.

[@sillyover4076]

now i am 44 , the horses death still breaks me . this movie reminds so much about my childhood.

[@ShoNuff_Ali]

"It has to hurt if it's to heal!" I felt that...

[@janellestoermer5479]

I watched this movie again and again in the 80's as a kid. I could never understand what Bastian named the Empress. It's hard to hear. Years later (as a teenager) I found the book "The Neverending Story" in the mall book shop, and I bought it, if only to read what word Bastian is shouting. Imagine my shock at seeing that his mom's name was Moon Child. That is so odd, and is not explained at all. I wonder if that was her nickname. Anyway, in the 90's (as a teen) I showed this movie to some Russian kids I babysat. They were kind of hard kids, and they actually laughed at the part where Artax sinks in the swamp. I was kind of shocked by that! My husband and I now love to watch this, The Karate Kid, and Back to the Future when we're in the mood for movies we grew up with. We have 80's movie nights at our house! I never liked The Neverending Story II. I didn't even know there was a number III.

[@crappiefisher1331]

Looper: We Finally Understand The Ending Of The NeverEnding Story gz, it only took you 35 years

[@jasonvoorhees8545]

I watched this movie as an 8, almost 9 yr old child with my mother. She took me to the theatre to see it in 1984. This year I lost my mother and now the story resonates with me more than ever. I feel like the Nothing is coming up behind me.