THE NEVERENDING STORY
Die Unendlinche Geschichte
Wolfgang Petersen's film from Michael Ende's work
Identification sheet:
1984, West Germany
Running Time: 94 minutes
Direction: Wolfgang Petersen
Scenario: Wolfgang Petersen and Herman Weigel
Photography: Jost Vacano
Special effects: Brian Johnson
Sound Track: Klaus Doldinger and Giorgio Moroder
Production : Neue Constantin, Bavaria Studios
Main characters:
Young Barret Oliver, starring Bastian, is the hero of this fantastic adventure. When reading a book, he enters the incredible world of Land of Fantasia, and there he finds Atreyu, an Indain boy played by Noah hathaway, and the pretty Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach).
A German literary success, an internation film:
Michael Ende is a vey well-known writer for young reader in Germany. He will always be remembered for two books in particularly: Die Unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story) and Momo, the story of an anticonformist young girl who fights against money and our lack of time. With The Neverending Story, Ende wrote a tale where books can free human-beings. His message lies in enhancing the importance of imagination and creativity. Petersen's film is an accurate adaptation of the book and it was so successful that it took the book out of the German borders. Nowadays, The Neverending Story is an international best-seller.
1991: an American film sequel to The Neverending Story
In 1991 The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter was released, directed by George Miller. In this American adaptation, Bastian is called again to defend Land of Fantasia against the evil forces that attack the Childlike Empress' kingdom. We are presented with the same characters, yet different actors play them. Jonathan Brandis is Bastian, Kenny Morrison plays Atreyu and the pretty Alexandra Johnes shortly appears in the role of Childlike Empress. Only the improved special effects and a world of wonderful bizarre creatures make this sequel a worth watching film.