You could actually follow the story, once things kicked off because the action was gripping and you wanted the hero to win.

It was funny to watch how the boy would read the story and that made things happen in the dream world.

The chosen boy (Atreyu) to seek out the saving grace for Fantasia was very strong-minded and wouldn't give up for anything.

What was most interesting was that I liked this a lot as a kid and could watch it now as a 23 year old adult.

Probably worth another watch in a few months.

3.8 stars.

German director Wolfgang Petersen, the man responsible for the harrowing WWII epic Das Boot, may seem like an odd choice to direct a film adaptation of Michael Ende's children's book, The Neverending Story. However, his knowledge of technical filmmaking and his passion for adventure stories proved to be the perfect combination, as can be seen in this campy classic 1984 film.

The story concerns young Bastian, an imaginative boy who prefers to retreat into books rather than face the harsh truths of reality, as he borrows a magical book from a bookstore and reads it in the creepy attic of his school. All his life Bastian has been bullied by other kids at school and misunderstood by his overly practical widower of a father. But as Bastian's mind absorbs the details of the book, The NeverEnding Story, he finds both escapism and empowerment while reading of a heroic young hunter named Atreyu. Atreyu is a member of the Plainspeople and he was chosen to save his world, Fantasia (in the book the fantasy world is known as Fantastica), from the devastation of The Nothing, a living void which spreads across Fantasia devouring all in its path and leaving nothingness in its wake. As Bastian follows Atreyu's daring exploits, he becomes astonished to discover that Fantasia really exists and that he may be the only one who can save it from oblivion, so long as he finds the courage in himself to do as he dreams.

Since the film's release, it has become something of a family classic, but after almost twenty-five years it's hard to imagine this film having the longevity of the fantasy classics that preceded it. The film is charming and entertaining, but it lacks the heart of films like The Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and lacks the sophistication of a film like The Dark Crystal. The film does, however, have some ingenious special effects and some truly bizarre costumes and make-ups, which are at time reminiscent of the first Star Wars film.
The plot itself deviates from that of the book, but does so in order to make the film accessible to the average viewer.
With a wondrous array of characters and creatures including a Rock Biter, a racing snail, a fearsome wolf-like creature known as the Gmork, a Luck Dragon named Falkor, and the fragile and beautiful Childlike Empress, it's not hard to see why the film has such great appeal.

Also recommended:
Labyrinth
The Princess Bride
Willow
The Pagemaster

The NeverendingStory is a children's classic film. At least in my mind it is. I remember growing up watching this movie, and how science fiction movies today that has that same premise in mind wants to make magic just like the Neverending Story like the Spiderwick Chronicles. No movie can compare to children's novels like the Chronicles of Narnia, but there is something still magical of the Neverending Story, and how it can touch each and every one of us at some time in our lives. I just have fond memories of this movie.

This movie is charming. It has fantasy elements, real life childhood struggles and a real personable touch. If you are an avid reader you will relate to the lead character in this film. While I did not experience the bullying the lead character did as a child I definately related to his love of books and the escapism they represent. It's a thrill that this movie really puts you back in touch with, in only the way a child can experience. That is probably my favorite part of this film. Books were exciting worlds as a child, complete mysteries to be revealed; this movie captures that and brings it to life in a fantastic way. I thought it was clever and charming and very entertaining, fun for all. I still enjoy this film all these years later.

This film effected me in a way that no other ever did as a child. When I saw it recently for the first time as an adult, I now appreciate the film now more than I did before. A fantasy that speaks to human nature and the thoughts of child and man alike. May I also add that the special effects here were at times beautiful and blow a lot of the modern fake looking computer graphics out of the water. Film makers should think about looking back into expensive animatronics and stop motion. It is better in my opinion.

Only a died in the wool grump could possibly dislike this engaging fantasy movie ,based on Michael Ende's novel of the same name .It is imaginative and thoughtful.It revolves around a young boy named Baslian -played by Barret Oliver-who lives with his Dad (Gerald Mcraney)who gets on his case for Basilan's constant daydreaming .He is bullied at school and desperately misses his mother who has recently died .One day he cuts school and wanders into a mysterious bookshop where he picks up a book entitled The Neverending Story and as he begins to read the book the events in the story come to life.
The key figure in the tale is a child like Princess (Tami Stronach).She is ill and fears that if she dies her land ,the land known as Fantasia , will be taken over and its essence destroyed .She sends a young warrior Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) to find a cure for her lingering illness.What menaces Hantasia is a plague of "nothing".The people of the land are losing hope and forgetting their apirations and Fantasia is dying as a result.Atreyu's journeyings bring him into contact with all manner of weird and wonderful creatures ,and gradually Basilian becomes sucked into and becomes part of the story himself.
The tale with its state of the art for its era)animation ,puppetry and prostetics owes a great deal to Alice in Wonderland and ,in some sequences to the science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still. with traces of The Wizard of Oz and The Dark Crystal .The special effects team of Brian Johnson (Alien )and Bruce Nicholson (The Empire Strikes Back)create menacing swamps and spooky wooods on a Bavarian sound stage which arte easily the equal of Industrial Light and Magic and are a vital part of a movie which is excellent for children but which also has a vital message for adults .Yes -this is a message movie folks .The warning is clear among the fantasy and charm-it warns of a generation that has turned its back on imagination in favour of media in which everything is laid out on a plate for the audience .It si apen of praise to then power and importance of the imagination .Our imaginations are under threat -amd if that does not worry you ,it sure as Gehenna should!

The message here is a tad simplistic but overall it is a bold ,and daring movie with something to say

It remains ,still,among the best movies of its era

Bastian is a young boy of higher than average intelligence and imagination struggling to deal with bullies and the recent death of his mother. The hardships that have befallen his life, along with the hard instruction of an out-of-touch father, have taken their toll on Bastian's ability to fantasize and dream, convincing him that he must grow up and keep his feet on the ground. Luckily for him, while taking refuge in an old bookshop one day on his way to school, Bastian is introduced to "The NeverEnding Story". This mysterious book takes his imagination on a daring quest with a young warrior named Atreyu to save a child-like empress and the entire land of Fantasia from the mysterious and terrible Nothing that is sweeping across the land and destroying everything it touches.

If any movies from the now much celebrated 1980's can truly be called classics, "The NeverEnding Story" is without a doubt one of the most worthy. It was a time when fantasy films for young people were insanely popular, all with dazzling pre-CGI effects and eerie, otherworldly music, and this film is the finest example. Based on a famous German book (it's said that the author was not pleased with the film version), "The NeverEnding Story" is an exciting and magical tale about the restoration of a boy's imagination against great odds. The land and creatures of Fantasia, while sometimes rather ugly, are brilliantly brought to life, the cast is excellent, and every young boy growing up in the '80's was totally in love with beautiful Tami Stronach as the empress (now a lovely and accomplished dancer). We all also wanted a luck dragon of our own!

The Warner Bros. DVD release could use an update, as all the extras are in the form of text information (little tidbits about the characters and effects), but at least the film is presented in widescreen (on the flip side) and a trailer is included as well. There were two sequels made to "The NeverEnding Story", plus a cartoon series and something called "Tales from the NeverEnding Story," which I believe was a live-action TV series. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of that stuff, so I can't recommend or discourage seeking it out. However, you can't go wrong with the enchanting original!

The NeverEnding Story is a wonderful film for all ages.

I grew up loving this movie, from the rock biter, to the flying fog dragon, to the beautiful child empress. It delighted with its fantasy, saddened with its humanity, and frightened with the scary wolf creature!

As an adult, though, I love it just as much. If anything, I appreciate it more, because I understand my childlike love for it, and actually get the jokes and stereotypes that are thrown in.

I would definitely recommend viewing, owning, and loving.

(The only negative is that the case is a cheap one - it's cardboard, not plastic.)

We received the movie within a week and it was in new condition as promised still in the shrink wrap and everything.

This classic was very innovative for it's time and is a classic.
The Princess created quite a stir at the time, and a cult following.

Product had a problem, with proper channels made contact with seller about it and He corrected the problem 100% and I will use this seller again. Trust his service completely.

This is probably the film that got me into the fantasy genre. I was very young when I first saw this and can still watch it nowadays with fond rememberence. It is a beautiful film filled with great sights and sounds. Children will love it and adults will admire it for it's boldness. It deals with some intense issues, even death but it never loses its heart.

I read all the books and I saw all the movies,and I loved them sooo much that I'm writing a 5th book! I got the inspiration from Barrett Oliver. If you're reading this Barrett Oliver I really really really really really really really really really really really really want to meet you.

This movie will entertain the whole family time and time again. A good movie to grow up with.

This is a classic.
You have to watch it, is so nice.
The only thing that I did not like it about the DVD is that does not have a nice design. It came just silver plane.

Great movie, 80's people

Since this is a older movie my kids thought I was grazy to make them watch this!!! NOW- they love it and watch it all the time! A+++ A.W.

I loved this movie when I was younger and I was so glad to find it on DVD so that I could share it with my daughter. She loves it now too. We have shared it with many other people and they have all fallen in love with story as well. The dragon-dog creature is fabulous- if there ever was one in "real life" my family wants one as a pet :-)

One of the best fantasy films ever made. A story for all ages. Almost makes you want to throw away your video games. Sequels don't hold a candle to the original. We have it on VHS and when I found it on DVD I ordered it immediately.

There's nothing that beats a classic like the original 1984 version of The Never-ending story ( Die Unendliche Geschichte is the German title). The Never-ending story is a charming, and heart warming children's film accessible to people of all ages. It is the ideal in the standards of 1980s fantasy films with very surreal settings and strange yet lovable creatures.

A boy reads a mysterious storybook to find everything he's reading is happening in a strange yet wonderful other world. The story teaches about friendship, love, compassion, the value of imagination and belief and of growing up. The Never-Ending story is such a part of my childhood and has such a powerful hold over my imagination that I still get choked up when I hear the original title track theme song from the film.

I find it tragic that there are many children today who have not yet seen this enchanting classic film. The Never-ending story is based on the novel by Michael Ende and has inspired many film sequels as well as a remake (definitely not as good as the original) and an animated series that aired on HBO in the nineteen nineties.

I think everyone should see this beautiful and fantastic film at least once.

When my daughter was 4 years old (she's now 28) we rented this movie. She cried when I had to return the movie to the rental store. That's how much she loved this movie.

It's been a while since I've seen 'NeverEnding Story', but I now have it on DVD. The last time my daughter came home to visit, we watched this movie together. It was so much fun! And, we both agree, that this is the only version worth watching. Neverending Story II doesn't make us give it a thumbs up.

Bring back some nice family memories, or better yet, make some new family memories and watch a truly magical story come to life before your eyes. Share it with a child you love.

Something I wanted to clear up:
I've read a number of reviews that knock this DVD for only being Full-Screen, but it's actually both.
It's a 2-sided disk that is Wide-screen on one side and Full-screen on the other.
These reviewers just never bothered to turn the disk over.

That aside, yes, this movie is a pure nostalgia trip for anyone who grew up watching fantasy movies in the 80s.

This movie is great for kids who have no problem with imagination and who like to READ. Our four-year old can get bored with some movies since they are not as good as a book (his words!) but this movie keeps his attention just fine. It does have some rather scary parts in it but nothing graphic or poor language and as long as you are watching TOGETHER and explain what is happening, there should be no problem with fright or nightmares. We bought the three-part movie series to our delight.

The Neverending Story has been a perfect childhood movie since it's induction into the greatest kids' movies of all time. I've watched this movie growing up and continue to share it with the younger friends and family.

This was a seminal movie for me in my childhood (along with The Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Goonies and others) and I love it to this day. The only thing I'm disgrunteled about is it's poor treatment on DVD. I want a special edition: with a making of documentary highlighting the whole process from the actual book to the script, character sketches and concepts, set design, creature design and building, and all the goodies real film enthusiasts love to watch. And interviews! I mean, even if there is no older footage of the process of making the film can't the people responsible put something together to honor this film. Atleast a director's commentary or something. I love this film and I will continue to watch it from time to time...I just wish that the DVD editions had just a lil' bit extra for all the fans and enthusiasts of this wonderful fantasy.

Great movie, one that you can watch over and over for many years. But if you want the full experience, you should read the book by Micheal Ende.

Remember that moment at the end of Wizard of Oz when the Good Witch tells Dorothy she's had the power to go home all along? Remember the collective "What the (BLEEP)..." from everyone watching, regardless of their age?

I had a very similar reaction when I reached the end of this movie.

That's not to say I was disappointed. Quite the contrary. It was like a slap in the face of "why didn't I think of that?" Often times the best endings are so obvious you overlook them and this movie is a testament to that fact.

That having been said it's also one of the best fantasy rides you'll ever take in 2 hours. A turtle whose shell is an island. A talking wolf. A luck dragon. Two sets of sphinx like characters, both offering riddles. A horse whose own sadness nearly is is undoing... oh and a rock biter.

These are just a few of the fanciful elements that make this very under-celebrated movie worth high praise!

If you saw it as a child and you now have children, show it to your children. Make it something you share for generations. You'll be glad you did.

They don't make movies like this any more. The more we can teach our children to have imaginations, the more likely they are to dream big dreams... and the more likely they are to turn those dreams into reality.

The wonderful adventure of Bastion on the never ending story was my favorite movie when it was released many years ago. I now have the opportunity to enjoy it all over again with my 5 year old. She is particularly intrigued by the Luck Dragon and wants one. Don't we all.
Enjoy this movie as a family.
Sound recording is a bit poor but I guess it was pre digital and has alot of back ground hiss.

I bought this b/c I used to watch it all the time when I was a kid. I loved it, and would watch it over and over again. Thing is, I looked around on Amazon, and this movie comes in a set w/ Part 2 and 3. That is where the value is, so look around. You can get 2 movies for the price of one.

If you don't own this movie, ADD IT TO YOUR CART today :)

always enjoyed this movie as a child so i knew it was a must have and i was right.

this is a very good movie for tha family, we are enjoying it. Thankyou.

This movie was excellent my grandkids love it ages 2 the seller shipped it very quick and great price

I can almost guareentee that if you were born in the 70's or the 80's...you've seen this show and loved it. Pass it on to your kids while they are young so they can still have fun with it.

I bought this dvd as a gift for my nine year nephew. My own kids really enjoyed this film when they were younger, as they watched it many times over the years. It is a well done film, with interesting characters, plus it contains a pertinent message. I've ordered a copy to set aside so that when the time comes, I can enjoy it with my grandkids as well.

For kids and adults who refuse to grow up, this movie is the best fantasy story ever! I loved it the first time I saw it (as a grown adult with a child at the time) and enjoy watching it over and over. Soon I will share the experience with my grandson, when he gets a little older.

This is a brilliant movie not only for kids, but for teens and adults as well. It's a fantasy film that makes us believe that there is always hope in this sad little world we live in. It also has memorable characters (who can forget Atreyu, Falkor, and Gmork?), amazing special effects (the Ivory Tower is purely monumental), and a spell-binding musical score (it's all keyboards instead of an actual orchestra but its still as effective).

It's a shame that this movie didn't get the special DVD treatment that it deserved. Yes, the picture quality is almost perfect, but there are only minimal special features. Let's hope that a Special Edition DVD comes along soon.