It is SO genius. The idea that the Nothing is the lack of children’s imagination makes me realise, if we stop reading the book we are fuelling the Nothing! The idea that it’s a book in a book in a book (that we are reading it, and Bastian’s reading it, all while the Old Man of Wandering Mountain is writing it as it happens, and as things happen he chronicles everything), the idea that the Empress tells the Old Man to read The Neverending Story to her, but then when he reads it it begins with Bastian and not with Atreyu cos now Bastian’s included in OUR version of the book, and then they go into a loop where the story happens over and over until Bastian can scream her name and stop it - it’s so philosophical, it’s so metaphysical, honestly puzzling and absolutely genius.
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At least in Germany the novel got the fame and reputation it deserved.
I’m rereading the book and I have a theory: The Childlike Empress sent for Atreyu after Bastian started reading. I think she chose Atreyu in real time. When Bastian started reading, she sent for a boy warrior who’s story would appeal most to Bastian.
OMG. You’ve made me realise, as you said, without opening a book, nothing happens. Meaning THE Nothing happens because it IS the lack of childhood imagination; without bringing a book with imagination, the contents will just disppear ahahhahah
The sentence about their is another time to tell this Story ... is emphasized in the Book... there is several storys and character Plots that never have a ending emphaisizing the Idea that the reader of the Book himself would think about and dream into fantastica and find his own way how these storys could end
Omg! I think I'm going to cry after your Artax remark! Now I absolutely have to read the book. You were also spot on about not even knowing that this was a book. I grew up with the movies and had no idea. Now I know and now I'll read it! Fantastic video and wonderful analysis.
This is pretty much every thought I've had about The Neverending Story, my favorite novel of all time. The book has meant so much to me throughout much of my life, and it's awesome to hear that other readers have similar experiences with it.
You nailed the themes of the book and how they were omitted or altered in the movie. There was a huge focus on the necessity of imagination, the dangers of growing up and discarding imagination, and the effects of identifying with a main character. I love how you described the yin-yang reflection between Atreyu and Bastian. I felt much more emotionally invested in Bastian's struggles with feeling unworthy in the book than the movie. His physical description was a huge part of his identity, like you said. I think the movie did a good job of validating Bastian towards the end, but the book was so much more complex, especially with the whole anti-hero twist. Loved this video! Amazing analysis!
i totally forgot how GREAT the relationship between Bastian and his father was in the book. Along with everything else. That theme sure is epic and missed in the movie. Thanks for the video! It's one of those that are worth rewatching too
@@GetWriteOnIn I HAVE to reread it some time. It'll be a few years, but I have to. I LOVE this book. when you reminded me of that theme, the importance of keeping imagination as an adult, UHHHHHHH the feelz
I need to read the book! The movie is one of my absolute favorites from my childhood. I never would have thought Bastian's looks would have been so important!
I'm here because of Johanna! ☺️ The movie is really nostalgic to me, and I first read this book as a 13 year-old (many things went over my head and I was quite confused haha), then I reread it last year at 25 and got so much more out of it. The THEMES are so important in this novel (especially about identity, as you underlined it), the movie is very surface level in comparison, and you're right, the characters lack depth in the movie and especially in the true nature of their relationships. It's one of my favourite middle-grade books, but you're right, I think adults can appreciate it so much more. And I feel the same about The Chronicles of Narnia, for example. I love novels that can be both mesmerizing to children and adults in different ways, it takes so much talent to succeed in such a task!
Omg thanks for stopping by! I was so honored from her shoutout and mention of this video - it’s gone on to be more popular than I expected! Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts here with me
Well... now I want to read the book even more! The full story sounds fascinating! Especially the reliance of the two characters upon each other :o great analysis!
@@GetWriteOnIn I just stumbled on this video, and you're making me want to read this book, I have it somewhere. I tried reading it in my early teens but it was so different from the movie I put it aside, deff going to be taking it off the shelf and giving it a second chance!
Mr. Peter Jackson must be in charge of producing a thrilogy of this masterpiece. I strongly belevieve he'll be capable of treasuring almost everything from the book. This story must be made by using the latest movie tech. It'll be simply amazing.
I agree with you it’s 100% an adult’s book, for it’s ideologies and for the fact that kids wouldn’t understand the philosophy and how puzzling the concept of Fantastica is
I absolutely loved this video! I want to read the book even more now. I am glad to know that I'm not alone in being unaware that this was a book, and I feel like a fool for not knowing haha. This video is everything 💜 you articulate your thoughts so well. Also now I'm extra nervous about Artax now
Hey thank you so much!! I had a great time making this video so I’m glad you enjoyed it 🥰. You are definitely not alone in not knowing it was a book first, especially since it was originally German and never really took off in the states (although I don’t actually know if you’re in the states, ha.) and yeah, the Artax scene....
@@GetWriteOnIn haha thank you for the normalization 💞 and I'm from Canada, and we get most of our media from the states so pretty close 😅 oh man. Well I have ordered the book now, and I'll have to find a cheerful read following the Artax scene to get me through it 💔
What I don´t like about the Swamp of saddness scene in the movie is the fact that Atreyu could simply put the Auryn around Artax´s neck and ride him - that way both of them would be safe, since it was Auryn that protected Atreyu from sinking. In the book, he actually proposed it, but Artax shut him down, saying that its not his place to entrust Auryn to anybody else, no matter what. But in the movie, where Artax is "just" a normal horse, it doesn´t make sense why Atreyu didn´t do that.
I think you’ll be all right. I definitely think you’ll end up preferring the book but I don’t think it’ll kill the movie experience. Didn’t for me, anyway
Agreed. Although the film covers half the plot present in the book, it is fundamentally telling a very different story. The first half of The Neverending Story is, essentially, a hero's journey played straight. It describes the importance of imagination and the dangers that come from an absence of dreams and fictions. If we stop there, it is a pretty shallow tale, which is why I think the film feels much more flat. The second half deconstructs those same ideas and deals much more heavilly uncovering Bastian's psychology and his moral/spiritual and philosophical development. And, by extension, it asks the reader to examine those same things in themselves. There is a point made in the second half of the book - this idea that our true wishes are actually obscured from us - that feels terribly relevant to me. I think many of us, especially as we age, understand that there are questions and desires that we often do not explore because the answers might be painful. Do I really understand myself? Do I actually believe that I have value? Am I really a moral person? Have I done irreconcilable or unforgivable things, and what does that mean? These are essential questions that Bastian examines over the course of the second half, and very pointedly the book shows how a desire for interdepence, community and love are at the heart of his wishes, and the antidote for his pain. It is powerful and timely storytelling for adults. I will say, I love this book but I am not confident that it can effectively convey its messages or themes in another medium. A lot of what makes this book so special to me is the ways it leverages the relationship between the book and reader. As Michael Ende said, the book mirrors the reader and the reader mirrors the book. Film has its own advantages, but I don't know that it can do the same thing, or do it as well, as written text in this instance. I inevitably cry when I read this book. I'm not certain that a film could make me do that - at least for the same reasons.
Wow...thanks for review on the differences between the book and the movie. Like you and so many others I like the movie but I'm definitely going to check out the book!!
Great video ! I totally agree with your analysis. Have you seen the original cut of the movie ? The german one. Not the "American" cut with 6 minutes less as we know it. The one without the georgio moroder score and without the classic limahl pop song. The original cut is fascinating because of the different way sound and music is used. There´s a ton of sound differences between the original cut and the "American" cut, (which was done by Spielberg uncredited) out of the original 6 minutes longer german cut. The original german cut, is fascinating because it has a fantastic haunting atmosphere, more in tune with the actual book. The initial credits in the original cut make the movie fell like a sequel to the Exorcist. It´s how different both cuts are in terms of editing. That nightmare atmosphere in the original credits totally make sense because when the movie starts we see bastian waking up startled after a bad dream. The "American" cut with the classic limahl pop happy song , does not make sense because after that the movie starts with bastian waking up scared. That is the first big difference between the original cut and the "American" cut. Some scenes are extended in the original german cut. For example the initial scene between bastian and his dad, the swamp scene added bits make it a lot more tense and sad, there are some additional dialogue moments with the childlike princess at the end which make her moments even more anguished and awesome and the german cut has more complex dialogue which was simplified for the American cut. For example Gmork has more lines about the importance of dreams that were cut in the American cut everyone knows. Like I said the sound differences are awesome and totally make watching the neverending story a whole new experience if you know the "American" cut by heart as I do. Dialogues and voices were replaced for the American cut. In the original, we ear the original voice of the racing snail ridder for example. The music is used in different places than we are used to expect , and there's a couple of additional scenes that are not that important actually. Watching the original german cut of the movie and compare it to the "American" cut we all know, it´s a crazy experience as its the perfect example of how sound and dialogue changes can totally create a whole different vibe. The "American" version we all know is more light and with that type of Disney vibe, the original german cut feels like a Conjuring horror movie at some points. This is how different things sound and how different the atmosphere is in both cuts. Also the "American " version we know is really colorful but the original german cut , is a lot more atmospheric as most of everything is presented in some old "sepia" tone. Theres a fantastic 4k german bluray with the original cut. I grew up with the "American" cut as everyone did here in the west but now that I've seen the original german cut I don't know what is my favorite. Overall, great review ! I totally agree with you although I still think movie 1 was not that bad and they did their best with the material with what was technical possible at the time. The characters development in the movie are not that accurate as you say but Wolfgang Petersen´s movie is still a good attempt to at least be faithful to the atmosphere of the first half of the book. I saw the movie when I was 14 back in 1984 and this movie is the reason I became an illustrator. The first image of the Ivory Tower changed my life that afternoon in the theater. When the movie ended, i got in again to see it once again, just to soak that first image of the Ivory Tower again. It´s not by chance that all my fantasy landscape illustrations somewhere in them have a touch of that Ivory Tower image on the movie. Either in color, detail, whatever. The 1984 movie totally made me want to create worlds like those myself and now 30 years later Im still doing it , professionally. Also the book which I read about a week before I sawy the movie became my go-to fantasy novel. I´ve read it so many times that I´ve lost count now. Up to this day it´s still my favorite fantasy novel bar none. Not even Tolkien can compare with the imagination that Michael Ende displayed in less than 400 pages of a single book. The characters, the legends inside "Fantasia/Fanstatica", and the imaginary landscapes are truly awesome still. One of the reasons Michael End tried to sue the producers of the movie back in Germany and prevent the movie from being released was because he absolutely hated the final minutes when bastian takes falkor into our world in a finale that feels like a bad Disney kids movie and has nothing to do with what happens in the book. The second half of the book gets really dark and if this is a children´s book , it wouldn´t be released as one this days where everyone is so sensitive. The second movie made when Hollywood bought the rights , is truly an example of what not to do with a fantasy novel. Michael Ende was dead by that time but if he would be alive, he would die. The second movie took the definition of "childish" to another level. The second half of the book was totally obliterated and sanitized for American audiences. Movie one is not a kids movie per se as it can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, but the second movie is so dumbed and childish than only kids could relate to that. Also they changed , the character designs and voices which was a joke. It was like the Rings of Power of its day. Absolutely one of the worst products based on a novel ever created. And lets not even talk about Movie 3.... where rockbiter rides a motorcycle on an American freeway and there´s scenes set in McDonalds.... The book is an absolute masterpiece. And one of the reasons i don't get is why its not being printed in red and green in all editions when those page color distinctions are so important to the narrative and to make the reader feel we are actually part of the novel too within an infinite loop. Many publishers choose to totally ignore the red and green text to save costs i guess, but reading this novel in a plain black font page is not the right way to go. Also, they took the chapter pic illustrations away too, which is just stupid. Here in Portugal there was only one good edition of the novel. The one wich came out back in 1983/84 and reprinted around 86/88. The modern editions either have no pics at all and are just in plain black text, or are in color but they don't have the pics. Which is leads me to believe that any publisher who chooses to put the book out there without being in red/green and having the pics present, Im sure didn't even bothered to read the novel to understand why those things are extremely important to the story.
This was such a great comparison, it's fascinating to see how much they changed and I can't believe the film is only half the book! I need to read the book 😅 100% agree character over plot!
In german the name of the land in the book and movie is "Phantasien", so the movie is actually closer ^^ also... loved your video, please make a complete book review of it :D
in spanish it's "Fantasia"☺ i too love both the book and the movie even tough as an adaptation the movie didn't do that great (i feel like the essence of the book got partially lost in transition) i still think its a great movie and the song slaps 👌 Also if u haven't read it yet i highly recommend Momo by the same author, its a much shorter book but u can definitely tell in the story telling and the massages it gives that it's the same author, i might even like Momo better in some aspects
This is one of my favourite novels. Where in the novel does it say that his last name is pronounced "books?" This is the second video that I have found to mention it, but I haven't been able to find that reference. (I remember his name being stated, but I thought it sounded differently.) Thanks.
The book itself never states it. When I first read it, I pronounced it “bucks,” but it was the audiobook that pronounced it “books” and I liked that better haha. The audiobook is on scribd, if you have that! At least, it should be
@@chanahminuk8485 until very recently (as in, last month haha) I felt totally the same. Still do, really, but now I’m so into immersion reading (listening to the audiobook at whatever speed while you read along with the physical.) I never knew how much I’d love that
I HAVE A THEORY ABOUT THE NEVERENDING STORY!!! Chapter 14, The Desert of Colors, top of page 221: “All Fantastica, he (Bastian) said to himself, was contained in the book that the Old Man of Wandering Mountain had written. This was the Neverending Story, which he himself had read in the attic. Maybe his present adventures and sufferings were in the book even now. And maybe someone else would read the book someday - maybe someone was reading it at that very moment.” This leads me to think that the Childlike Empress is a former reader of The Neverending Story who has gone into the book like Bastian! And just like Bastian is the ruler of the Desert of Colors because he created it, the Childlike Empress is the ruler of Fantastica because she created it and this is why her AURYN can guide the people in it, because all Fantastica is her own creation. And this is also why if the childlike empress dies, Fantastica ceases to exist. She is the beating heart of Fantastica. There was never any explanation as to why her illness was connected to the Nothing! Either this, or all Fantastica exists within the imagination of a little girl (the Childlike Empress) and that is why she is the ruler of it. the Nothing exists because she is growing up and becoming less imaginative. Fantastica, as we know, represents imagination and creativity. Maybe Bastian represents fiction books!!!!!!!!!!!!! “Bastian, save us!” the Childlike Empress cried out as the Nothing consumed the Ivory Tower! If he represents fiction books, it means that through US, imagination can thrive and Fantastica will be alive again!
i think one of the most terrible stuff of the Moving is Ignoring Atrejus terrible adventure with Ygramul the Spider and the first meeting with the dragon and secondly ... The Old from the wandering Mountain... Bastian was not able from himself to give the child like empress her Name. So the Empress visists the Old from wandering moantain and here we find out 1 Reason why this book is called Never ending story ... oh and ... The dragon in the end in the human world makes no sense
@@GetWriteOnIn i just wish someone remakes the story in a 3 Part Movie and way more close to the book... The first part needs to be as close as possible the second part .. which would be about Bastians first travels ..can be after the Desert part be cut a bit and the third part needs to be aswell be very close. Im sure you can cut stuff but more in the middle of the book the stuff that happens after Bastian leaves Graograman the Lion till the Moment the Battle around the tower happens. After that you cant cut .. because then the last travel happens the one Bastian makes to find himself ... which has some of my favourite moments .. like the Madame Ayola and her house of change and in the end how Bastian achieves the water of life
Even if Bastian's not unattractive, he can still be that weird kid that draws unicorns and reads all the time, that's enough to not feel comfortable in your own skin, and the actor showed that I think. Still, it would be nice to to have the lead of this sort of movie be fat and strange looking, since audiences aren't normally challenged that way. Hard disagree regarding Artex - I feel sad about him in the book, but it nowhere near the gut wrenching fear and tear jerking sadness we get from the movie. I think largely because he can't talk in the film works to it favor: we can sort of understand a thinking being wanting to die, but when your basic animal companion - especially something as loyal and free spirited as a horse - feels depressed enough to die, with his boy is screaming at him to not give up, that's staggeringly traumatizing IMO (still gets me). I love the book - just finished it for the 3rd time - but it's first half doesn't hit me in the feels the way so much of movie does with it's music and acting. In contrast the books more intellectually stimulating - maybe it's a translation issue? Don't get me wrong, it hits emotionally too, but that's a slower build that pays off more in the second half and then really at the end. The movie, while lacking the fascinating depth you described, is still pretty heady with the basic themes, especially for a child: the apocalypse of the human imagination, determination vs. despair, the sense your own life could be informing some unknown observer, while we watch Bastian watch and attach himself to Atreyu. What it accomplished puts it below the book, but also above it - and what's more it led me, you and others to the book. I hope Michael Ende realized the good in that. Since I first read it though, I can't stand that last "Falcor on Earth" scene, I just skip over that to the credits! lol
Wow what a thoughtful response! Thank you! I agree with your opinion on the Bastian actor's portrayal of the character's discomfort. In this day and age, I think they'd recast it to be closer to his physical traits from the book just for representation purposes, but I do think the original actor did a great job. I think Artax is just heartbreaking all around. Poor thing. I definitely agree with you thought on the emotional buildup of everything coming to a head in the second half of the book. That's one of the main reasons I keep trying to tell everybody to read it -- it's SO much different and the character of Bastian just goes through so much growth during that. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video and to share your thoughts and opinions with me! I'm glad to know you're a fan of both the film and the book, same as me
I just watched this tonight, for the first time in (I really cant remember) with my 4 year old son. I forgot so much of it. But hell, now I need to read the book and make it required reading for him too. Nice review my dude.
Thank you so much for creating this! It's so hard to find a solid analysis of the book (as opposed to the films) - which is so upsetting, since the book is so heartfelt and has such depth. I am sure that not every person who reads this novel identifies with Bastian. However, I think many, many people can connect to a character with such a rich inner world and a pervasive sense of... I don't know... inadequacy or of being ill at ease with who they really are, or even unsure of who that even is. Bastian is such a relatable character, and the way that the book examines that is really beautiful. The idea of discovering our true wish, the thing that fundamentally drives us and can heal us feels so resonant. As is the idea that the journey to find what we truly want can destroy us. There are so many facets of human experience in this, and I find it is a book that I have to return to from time to time, not just out of longing but because my own understanding of its messages expand each time I read it. I hope you will eventually analyze the second half of the book.
Oh you’re welcome!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I should analyze the second half of the book! People always focus on the movie and there’s just so much more awesome stuff in the book
Im nearing the end of the book now. Im regretting not reading it long before. Well more so listening as its the audiobook. I'd love to see a remake of this film to be more close to the book. As you said and other comments have limited cgi unless it's done really well.
I haven’t seen the movie or read the book but I’m really interested in reading the book now. Wasn’t there a sequel to the movie? Is it connected to the book in any way?
I’m kinda surprised you’ve never seen it! Yes, there is a neverending story 2 and 3. They both suck. Number 2 has SOME themes from the second half of the book but for the most part they’re just awful movies that never needed to happen
Moonchild was kind of shafted in the movie. She’s depicted as this source of pure good with no depth beyond that. She gets Bastion to name her by giving him a confidence boost. But in the book she’s much less noble than that and essentially tortures Bastion into finally naming her. It shows that she’s like her emblem suggests, is fully neutral person only concerned with keeping Fantastica alive. And that’s why everyone respects her symbol. Her getting morally nerfed and Ygramul not showing up to highlight that even the evil creatures are invested in saving Fantastica are my only real issues with the adaptation.
You got it wrong. She never forces Bastian to do anything in the book, he chooses to get involved, even if she does give him some nudges. Her role seems more like a guide or catalyst for him to discover his own potential, rather than some plot to use him. The film doesn't depict her as a force of good, but a force of necessity. While it is true that the film gives her a more pleasant aura, the Childlike Empress was never meant to be a character at all in either the book or the film. Rather, she is the ultimate avatar of a child's imagination, fantasy and the creativity of feminine energy. This is very clear in the book (at least in the original German version), even if it was never outright stated, and was eventually confirmed by the creator itself. And yes, I am aware that she withholds important information from Bastian about the consequences of wishing, but she does so out of pragmatism rather than malice. If she told him the entire truth, Bastian would not want to save her empire and his journey would be incomplete.
@@vetarlittorf1807 I didn’t get anything wrong. She tortured him in a time loop when he refuses to name her. His only choices are to remain stuck forever or give in and name her.
I agree with everything you said, and to add on,I think the entire message of the book was changed in the movie. The book gets into the dark part of emotions. I think the movie just kind of took the cream off the top of the story. I love them both but they had very different feels for the same story.
Great video friend! How strange is it that they only did the first half of the book... like does it feel like a cut off in the book? Or is it as weird as it sounds?
Isn’t it cool that the movie ends exactly half way through the book, so if you watch the film first and then read the book, you’re like holy shit, the books neverending…
I'm pretty sure big part of why Ende hated the movie was because it was Hollywood Movie. He loved Momo made in Italy. He also hated the sexual references of the Sphinx and the doors of the Magnolia Terrace. I think the Movie did really good and even made it better than him with the Ivory Tower, Gmork and the nothing. The book has a better Falcor and a more sophisticated concept of Fantasia being more mysterious and esotheric but that's it.
@@GetWriteOnIn And the doors looking like a Vagina didnt help much either. But that's how Hollywood worked at that time. If the Execs want to change something to make sure the movie sells the Producer have no choice but to comply. Still, Ende was way too harsh and unfair to the effort made by the Art Directors. The Art directors made sure the movie had an elevated sense of artistry and avoided as much cheesiness as they could and it shows. For me their concept of the Ivory Tower was an improvement of the book as well as how they cutted some of the redundancy of the book in certain areas. What the movie did wrong for me was exposing ceirtain elements of the plot like being too vague in the explanation why the Empress needed a new name to reinvigorate or explaining the whole proccess of the Oracle. Still the Movie had some beautiful artistic elements that mimic the mystery of Fantasia. Making a movie like the book is an artistic nightmare. It's more suited for an animated short series.
I don’t know. I prefer the version of the Ivory Tower in the book. A giant city carved out of ivory and built up into the form of a looming mountain, and surrounded on all sides by a vast labyrinthine garden. Kind of like an amped up Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings, but with a particularly lofty elegance.
@@nathanashmore2131 The empress is the representation of Bastians mother, standing virginal and pristine in the Ivory Tower, unreachable surounded by mountains far from good and evil. You can't see an entrance as presented in the movie.
@@shodannadohs4045 I didn’t mention the entrance, and it’s true that there isn’t a direct path to the Magnolia Pavilion at the top. I was just expressing that I liked the design of the Ivory Tower better in the book. Also, is it really confirmed that the Childlike Empress is a representation of Bastian’s mother? I can’t get over that one part where Falkor and Atreyu are talking about the Empress and AURYN and what’s happening to Bastian, and Atreyu almost says something (presumably negative) about the Empress and Falkor cuts him off to preserve the honor of the Empress from slander. I get the sense that the Empress may be something else, but I’m not sure what.
I am not sure if the "Michael" in his name is pronounced as "Mick-Kel" or "My-Ker" in German. According to this TH-cam video, it would be pronounced as "Mick-Kel" in German: th-cam.com/video/sQg1LL48pz0/w-d-xo.html But in some TH-cam videos where they interview Wolfgang Petersen about the movie, he pronounce it the typical English way as "My-Ker".
There’s a Neverending Story 2 movie that KIND OF follows the second half of the book. It has the Lake of Tears, the dragon, the witch….. and that’s about it. Very loose. It’s awful, tho, so, don’t bother.
I'm pretty sure that the phrase "sitting Indian style" had nothing to do originally with the Native Americans, instead dating back to the British impression of Indian culture. Not that no Native Americans before European colonization ever sat cross-legged. It's just a common posture for meditation in several parts of Asia. It's because this has not been exclusive to India for probably thousands of years that "sitting Indian style" is no longer a regular figure of speech among any educated people, not because it's inherently offensive to Indian people. Of course, it is offensive to Native Americans to call them Indians, just because it is ignorant of the reality that they actually have nothing to do with India, and that problematic practice has indeed led to confusion before about the original expression to numerous people and about various other uses of language.
I never even knew the movie was a thing until a few years ago and I hated it so much... The book was so great, so insightfull... The movie was campy and not very convincing...
ME NEITHER UNTIL NOW TILL COMING CROSS YA VID HERE! IM SUCH A FAN OF THE FILM. AND I BELIEVE THIS FILM IS NOT RECIEVING THE TOTAL RESPECT IT DESERVES BACK!! LIKE ITS BEEN IGNORED ALL OFF A SUDDEN!! THERES NO MENTION ON IT OR TALK ON IT!! BACK TO THE FUTURE STAR WARS WIZARD OF OZ AND SHIT BUT NOT THIS!! FILMS WERE SO WHOLESOME BACK THEN,. I DONT KNOW IF REMEMBER THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD! WHICH ALSO WAS A BOOK WHICH I NEVER KNOWN TO BE OF ONE ALSO! FILMS LIKE THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA NEVER ENDING STORY INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD AND COURSE HARRY POTTER!! BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THEY NEED TO BRING BACK NEVER ENDING STORY BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN!! BUT IM PICTURING THIS FILM IN 3FRESKING D!!
I think both are good but I think Michael's reasoning for despising the movie is pretty stupid. They cut out quite a bit of stuff. Yeah of course they did. It was 400 pages and the movie is 93 minutes long. What did people expect? I have noticed a lot of authors despise adaptations but it is usually because it is not exactly their version. Do people not know what an adaptation is? This should be obvious.
With all due respect to the author, I think the first movie still did a great job in portraying the plot in its own way and is a very enjoyable representation of it. Especially given the fact when it was made, with only practical effects at play and no hollow CGI, not to mention the fantastic soundtrack accompanying it. That achievement is a masterpiece of its own. The sequel movies were not so good, though.
Basically you said the book is 95% accurate in the movie 😂😂😂😂 so i dont get it why the author got so angry about , the NE sequel THAAAAT WAS BLAAAASPHEMY 100% 😂😂😂 that one was one of the worst movies of all time and an insult to the book and the author
The book is a masterpiece. Should be up there with Alice in Wonderland. It makes me so angry so few people know how outstandingly genius it really is.
I am inclined to agree
It is SO genius. The idea that the Nothing is the lack of children’s imagination makes me realise, if we stop reading the book we are fuelling the Nothing! The idea that it’s a book in a book in a book (that we are reading it, and Bastian’s reading it, all while the Old Man of Wandering Mountain is writing it as it happens, and as things happen he chronicles everything), the idea that the Empress tells the Old Man to read The Neverending Story to her, but then when he reads it it begins with Bastian and not with Atreyu cos now Bastian’s included in OUR version of the book, and then they go into a loop where the story happens over and over until Bastian can scream her name and stop it - it’s so philosophical, it’s so metaphysical, honestly puzzling and absolutely genius.
At least in Germany the novel got the fame and reputation it deserved.
I’m rereading the book and I have a theory: The Childlike Empress sent for Atreyu after Bastian started reading. I think she chose Atreyu in real time. When Bastian started reading, she sent for a boy warrior who’s story would appeal most to Bastian.
That’s a good theory!
I think she pretty much says so as well. But I haven't read it in some years.
OMG. You’ve made me realise, as you said, without opening a book, nothing happens. Meaning THE Nothing happens because it IS the lack of childhood imagination; without bringing a book with imagination, the contents will just disppear ahahhahah
Exactly!! Which is what is just so crazy about it for me. I can’t look at books and not wonder what’s between the covers
The sentence about their is another time to tell this Story ... is emphasized in the Book... there is several storys and character Plots that never have a ending emphaisizing the Idea that the reader of the Book himself would think about and dream into fantastica and find his own way how these storys could end
I have plenty of ideas on a fanfiction ahaha!
@@GetWriteOnIn i can see that. its a big world with a lot of potential for further adventures
I am so nostalgic for the movie. I watched it countless times growing up. I need to get my hands on the book now.
Omg! I think I'm going to cry after your Artax remark! Now I absolutely have to read the book. You were also spot on about not even knowing that this was a book. I grew up with the movies and had no idea. Now I know and now I'll read it! Fantastic video and wonderful analysis.
The book is just so good. Thank you so much for watching! If you do read the book, I hope you enjoy it because I really think it’s worth it ❤️
This book is already next on my list to read and NOW I can't wait
This is pretty much every thought I've had about The Neverending Story, my favorite novel of all time. The book has meant so much to me throughout much of my life, and it's awesome to hear that other readers have similar experiences with it.
Awwww good, I love this book so much so glad to hear you do, too!
Good old Ende was sooo angry and i can understand it .. the Move is in a way a heartless adaptation of one of the best Books ever written
100% agree
You nailed the themes of the book and how they were omitted or altered in the movie. There was a huge focus on the necessity of imagination, the dangers of growing up and discarding imagination, and the effects of identifying with a main character. I love how you described the yin-yang reflection between Atreyu and Bastian. I felt much more emotionally invested in Bastian's struggles with feeling unworthy in the book than the movie. His physical description was a huge part of his identity, like you said. I think the movie did a good job of validating Bastian towards the end, but the book was so much more complex, especially with the whole anti-hero twist. Loved this video! Amazing analysis!
Thank you so much ❤️ I really enjoyed doing this so I’m glad the end result came out well ❤️❤️
I call for a Netflix series to hopefully do it justice ;) Great video on the comparison. Awesome job! Keep them rolling.
Fine, but only if they use minimal CGI
Thank you!
I tooootally agree
If they use the same quality as Dark Crystal.....it would be amazing to see a new take on Neverending Story
Series of films of new adaptation of TNS incoming. I believe the aim is to film the entire novel this time.
i totally forgot how GREAT the relationship between Bastian and his father was in the book. Along with everything else. That theme sure is epic and missed in the movie. Thanks for the video! It's one of those that are worth rewatching too
awww thanks Uri!! I'm just happy you've read the book before, so you know how epic it is!
@@GetWriteOnIn I HAVE to reread it some time. It'll be a few years, but I have to. I LOVE this book. when you reminded me of that theme, the importance of keeping imagination as an adult, UHHHHHHH the feelz
@@urigatt6815 I'm glad it resonated with you
I need to read the book! The movie is one of my absolute favorites from my childhood.
I never would have thought Bastian's looks would have been so important!
Sooooo important!
Flamboyant dainty guy isn't he?
Who cares? You?
@@DelilaSloan Nah.. just an observation... But.. his life😂🤣😂
I never realised this was a book until recently. I haven’t seen the film in years but I am still traumatised by THAT scene
Yep and you’ll be even more traumatized by THAT scene after the book lol
@@GetWriteOnIn 😭😭😭
The horse talks in the book omg 😲.
@@GetWriteOnIn Actually, I think that scene was one of the few aspects handled better in the film than in the book.
I'm here because of Johanna! ☺️ The movie is really nostalgic to me, and I first read this book as a 13 year-old (many things went over my head and I was quite confused haha), then I reread it last year at 25 and got so much more out of it. The THEMES are so important in this novel (especially about identity, as you underlined it), the movie is very surface level in comparison, and you're right, the characters lack depth in the movie and especially in the true nature of their relationships.
It's one of my favourite middle-grade books, but you're right, I think adults can appreciate it so much more. And I feel the same about The Chronicles of Narnia, for example. I love novels that can be both mesmerizing to children and adults in different ways, it takes so much talent to succeed in such a task!
Omg thanks for stopping by! I was so honored from her shoutout and mention of this video - it’s gone on to be more popular than I expected! Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts here with me
Well... now I want to read the book even more! The full story sounds fascinating! Especially the reliance of the two characters upon each other :o great analysis!
Thank you so much! I'd love to hear your thoughts if/when you do end up reading it!
My trauma has been reignited with you talking about Artax. WHY DID I WATCH UNTIL THE END? 💜
Bahaha I'M SORRY!! I tried to protect the general population lmfao but yeah... that was a hard part to get through, always
"Artex you stupid horse!"
-Atreyu 1984 to his dying horse
Ahahaha for real
@@GetWriteOnIn I just stumbled on this video, and you're making me want to read this book, I have it somewhere. I tried reading it in my early teens but it was so different from the movie I put it aside, deff going to be taking it off the shelf and giving it a second chance!
@@corcor1122 awww well I hope the journey goes well for you this time!! I loved this book
My mother language is spanish, and my dream is to read Lord of the Rings in english and The Neverending Story in german.
I love this movie, and you've made me want to read the book
11:02 - You say "Nobody's son" but the screen says "Noboy's son."
It’s definitely worth the read!
Mr. Peter Jackson must be in charge of producing a thrilogy of this masterpiece. I strongly belevieve he'll be capable of treasuring almost everything from the book.
This story must be made by using the latest movie tech. It'll be simply amazing.
I'm so happy you made this video! The book sounds like a MUST READ!!
In my opinion, it is!
I read this when I was eight and I felt it was geared towards eight year olds
I agree with you it’s 100% an adult’s book, for it’s ideologies and for the fact that kids wouldn’t understand the philosophy and how puzzling the concept of Fantastica is
No they really don’t!!
It is a kids book tho. I am German and it is considered a kids book classic. just because it is complicated doesn't mean that it's for adults
I absolutely loved this video! I want to read the book even more now. I am glad to know that I'm not alone in being unaware that this was a book, and I feel like a fool for not knowing haha. This video is everything 💜 you articulate your thoughts so well.
Also now I'm extra nervous about Artax now
Hey thank you so much!! I had a great time making this video so I’m glad you enjoyed it 🥰. You are definitely not alone in not knowing it was a book first, especially since it was originally German and never really took off in the states (although I don’t actually know if you’re in the states, ha.) and yeah, the Artax scene....
@@GetWriteOnIn haha thank you for the normalization 💞 and I'm from Canada, and we get most of our media from the states so pretty close 😅 oh man. Well I have ordered the book now, and I'll have to find a cheerful read following the Artax scene to get me through it 💔
@@katjacklyn7918 On the plus side, at least the Artax portion gets done quick, so you'll have the rest of the book to "forget" about it
@@GetWriteOnIn haha, well that's some comfort
@@katjacklyn7918 I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
What I don´t like about the Swamp of saddness scene in the movie is the fact that Atreyu could simply put the Auryn around Artax´s neck and ride him - that way both of them would be safe, since it was Auryn that protected Atreyu from sinking.
In the book, he actually proposed it, but Artax shut him down, saying that its not his place to entrust Auryn to anybody else, no matter what. But in the movie, where Artax is "just" a normal horse, it doesn´t make sense why Atreyu didn´t do that.
I totally agree!!
I need to get a copy of the book and read it. I hope it doesn't utterly destroy my love for the movie though!!
I think you’ll be all right. I definitely think you’ll end up preferring the book but I don’t think it’ll kill the movie experience. Didn’t for me, anyway
Agreed. Although the film covers half the plot present in the book, it is fundamentally telling a very different story. The first half of The Neverending Story is, essentially, a hero's journey played straight. It describes the importance of imagination and the dangers that come from an absence of dreams and fictions. If we stop there, it is a pretty shallow tale, which is why I think the film feels much more flat.
The second half deconstructs those same ideas and deals much more heavilly uncovering Bastian's psychology and his moral/spiritual and philosophical development. And, by extension, it asks the reader to examine those same things in themselves. There is a point made in the second half of the book - this idea that our true wishes are actually obscured from us - that feels terribly relevant to me. I think many of us, especially as we age, understand that there are questions and desires that we often do not explore because the answers might be painful.
Do I really understand myself? Do I actually believe that I have value? Am I really a moral person? Have I done irreconcilable or unforgivable things, and what does that mean? These are essential questions that Bastian examines over the course of the second half, and very pointedly the book shows how a desire for interdepence, community and love are at the heart of his wishes, and the antidote for his pain. It is powerful and timely storytelling for adults.
I will say, I love this book but I am not confident that it can effectively convey its messages or themes in another medium. A lot of what makes this book so special to me is the ways it leverages the relationship between the book and reader. As Michael Ende said, the book mirrors the reader and the reader mirrors the book.
Film has its own advantages, but I don't know that it can do the same thing, or do it as well, as written text in this instance. I inevitably cry when I read this book. I'm not certain that a film could make me do that - at least for the same reasons.
Best analysis of the book and book/movie comparison. Well done, my friend.
Wow...thanks for review on the differences between the book and the movie. Like you and so many others I like the movie but I'm definitely going to check out the book!!
My pleasure! I highly recommend the book. If you read it come back and let me know what you think!
Great video ! I totally agree with your analysis.
Have you seen the original cut of the movie ? The german one. Not the "American" cut with 6 minutes less as we know it.
The one without the georgio moroder score and without the classic limahl pop song.
The original cut is fascinating because of the different way sound and music is used. There´s a ton of sound differences between the original cut and the "American" cut, (which was done by Spielberg uncredited) out of the original 6 minutes longer german cut. The original german cut, is fascinating because it has a fantastic haunting atmosphere, more in tune with the actual book. The initial credits in the original cut make the movie fell like a sequel to the Exorcist. It´s how different both cuts are in terms of editing.
That nightmare atmosphere in the original credits totally make sense because when the movie starts we see bastian waking up startled after a bad dream.
The "American" cut with the classic limahl pop happy song , does not make sense because after that the movie starts with bastian waking up scared. That is the first big difference between the original cut and the "American" cut.
Some scenes are extended in the original german cut. For example the initial scene between bastian and his dad, the swamp scene added bits make it a lot more tense and sad, there are some additional dialogue moments with the childlike princess at the end which make her moments even more anguished and awesome and the german cut has more complex dialogue which was simplified for the American cut. For example Gmork has more lines about the importance of dreams that were cut in the American cut everyone knows.
Like I said the sound differences are awesome and totally make watching the neverending story a whole new experience if you know the "American" cut by heart as I do.
Dialogues and voices were replaced for the American cut. In the original, we ear the original voice of the racing snail ridder for example.
The music is used in different places than we are used to expect , and there's a couple of additional scenes that are not that important actually.
Watching the original german cut of the movie and compare it to the "American" cut we all know, it´s a crazy experience as its the perfect example of how sound and dialogue changes can totally create a whole different vibe. The "American" version we all know is more light and with that type of Disney vibe, the original german cut feels like a Conjuring horror movie at some points. This is how different things sound and how different the atmosphere is in both cuts.
Also the "American " version we know is really colorful but the original german cut , is a lot more atmospheric as most of everything is presented in some old "sepia" tone.
Theres a fantastic 4k german bluray with the original cut. I grew up with the "American" cut as everyone did here in the west but now that I've seen the original german cut I don't know what is my favorite.
Overall, great review !
I totally agree with you although I still think movie 1 was not that bad and they did their best with the material with what was technical possible at the time. The characters development in the movie are not that accurate as you say but Wolfgang Petersen´s movie is still a good attempt to at least be faithful to the atmosphere of the first half of the book.
I saw the movie when I was 14 back in 1984 and this movie is the reason I became an illustrator. The first image of the Ivory Tower changed my life that afternoon in the theater. When the movie ended, i got in again to see it once again, just to soak that first image of the Ivory Tower again.
It´s not by chance that all my fantasy landscape illustrations somewhere in them have a touch of that Ivory Tower image on the movie. Either in color, detail, whatever. The 1984 movie totally made me want to create worlds like those myself and now 30 years later Im still doing it , professionally.
Also the book which I read about a week before I sawy the movie became my go-to fantasy novel. I´ve read it so many times that I´ve lost count now. Up to this day it´s still my favorite fantasy novel bar none. Not even Tolkien can compare with the imagination that Michael Ende displayed in less than 400 pages of a single book. The characters, the legends inside "Fantasia/Fanstatica", and the imaginary landscapes are truly awesome still.
One of the reasons Michael End tried to sue the producers of the movie back in Germany and prevent the movie from being released was because he absolutely hated the final minutes when bastian takes falkor into our world in a finale that feels like a bad Disney kids movie and has nothing to do with what happens in the book. The second half of the book gets really dark and if this is a children´s book , it wouldn´t be released as one this days where everyone is so sensitive.
The second movie made when Hollywood bought the rights , is truly an example of what not to do with a fantasy novel. Michael Ende was dead by that time but if he would be alive, he would die. The second movie took the definition of "childish" to another level. The second half of the book was totally obliterated and sanitized for American audiences. Movie one is not a kids movie per se as it can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, but the second movie is so dumbed and childish than only kids could relate to that. Also they changed , the character designs and voices which was a joke. It was like the Rings of Power of its day. Absolutely one of the worst products based on a novel ever created.
And lets not even talk about Movie 3.... where rockbiter rides a motorcycle on an American freeway and there´s scenes set in McDonalds....
The book is an absolute masterpiece. And one of the reasons i don't get is why its not being printed in red and green in all editions when those page color distinctions are so important to the narrative and to make the reader feel we are actually part of the novel too within an infinite loop. Many publishers choose to totally ignore the red and green text to save costs i guess, but reading this novel in a plain black font page is not the right way to go. Also, they took the chapter pic illustrations away too, which is just stupid.
Here in Portugal there was only one good edition of the novel. The one wich came out back in 1983/84 and reprinted around 86/88.
The modern editions either have no pics at all and are just in plain black text, or are in color but they don't have the pics. Which is leads me to believe that any publisher who chooses to put the book out there without being in red/green and having the pics present, Im sure didn't even bothered to read the novel to understand why those things are extremely important to the story.
This was such a great comparison, it's fascinating to see how much they changed and I can't believe the film is only half the book! I need to read the book 😅
100% agree character over plot!
Thank you so much! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, I think you’d really enjoy it based on what I’ve seen on your channel
In german the name of the land in the book and movie is "Phantasien", so the movie is actually closer ^^
also... loved your video, please make a complete book review of it :D
Oh I did not know that!! That's actually very interesting, thank you!
And, thank you! I should do a full review of it, I just love this book so much
in spanish it's "Fantasia"☺
i too love both the book and the movie even tough as an adaptation the movie didn't do that great (i feel like the essence of the book got partially lost in transition) i still think its a great movie and the song slaps 👌
Also if u haven't read it yet i highly recommend Momo by the same author, its a much shorter book but u can definitely tell in the story telling and the massages it gives that it's the same author, i might even like Momo better in some aspects
This is one of my favourite novels. Where in the novel does it say that his last name is pronounced "books?" This is the second video that I have found to mention it, but I haven't been able to find that reference. (I remember his name being stated, but I thought it sounded differently.) Thanks.
The book itself never states it. When I first read it, I pronounced it “bucks,” but it was the audiobook that pronounced it “books” and I liked that better haha. The audiobook is on scribd, if you have that! At least, it should be
@@GetWriteOnIn Oh, that explains it. I have never warmed up to the audio book format. I prefer actual books in my hands.
@@chanahminuk8485 until very recently (as in, last month haha) I felt totally the same. Still do, really, but now I’m so into immersion reading (listening to the audiobook at whatever speed while you read along with the physical.) I never knew how much I’d love that
Names are interesting expically for Egyptian lore
omg YESSSSS and I LOVE Egyptian lore!!
@@GetWriteOnIn me too
I HAVE A THEORY ABOUT THE NEVERENDING STORY!!!
Chapter 14, The Desert of Colors, top of page 221:
“All Fantastica, he (Bastian) said to himself, was contained in the book that the Old Man of Wandering Mountain had written. This was the Neverending Story, which he himself had read in the attic. Maybe his present adventures and sufferings were in the book even now. And maybe someone else would read the book someday - maybe someone was reading it at that very moment.”
This leads me to think that the Childlike Empress is a former reader of The Neverending Story who has gone into the book like Bastian! And just like Bastian is the ruler of the Desert of Colors because he created it, the Childlike Empress is the ruler of Fantastica because she created it and this is why her AURYN can guide the people in it, because all Fantastica is her own creation. And this is also why if the childlike empress dies, Fantastica ceases to exist. She is the beating heart of Fantastica. There was never any explanation as to why her illness was connected to the Nothing!
Either this, or all Fantastica exists within the imagination of a little girl (the Childlike Empress) and that is why she is the ruler of it. the Nothing exists because she is growing up and becoming less imaginative. Fantastica, as we know, represents imagination and creativity. Maybe Bastian represents fiction books!!!!!!!!!!!!! “Bastian, save us!” the Childlike Empress cried out as the Nothing consumed the Ivory Tower! If he represents fiction books, it means that through US, imagination can thrive and Fantastica will be alive again!
I... am so into that theory. Thank you for sharing.
Great análisis. I agree with your observations. I really loved this book. Greetings from Argentina!!
Thank you so much, and greetings!
I somehow managed to live through my entire childhood without reading this book or seeing the movie 😆
I’m a bit surprised on the movie front!
i think one of the most terrible stuff of the Moving is Ignoring Atrejus terrible adventure with Ygramul the Spider and the first meeting with the dragon and secondly ... The Old from the wandering Mountain... Bastian was not able from himself to give the child like empress her Name. So the Empress visists the Old from wandering moantain and here we find out 1 Reason why this book is called Never ending story ... oh and ... The dragon in the end in the human world makes no sense
Yes! I totally agree with you here. So many wasted opportunities for some really awesome content out of the book
@@GetWriteOnIn i just wish someone remakes the story in a 3 Part Movie and way more close to the book... The first part needs to be as close as possible the second part .. which would be about Bastians first travels ..can be after the Desert part be cut a bit and the third part needs to be aswell be very close. Im sure you can cut stuff but more in the middle of the book the stuff that happens after Bastian leaves Graograman the Lion till the Moment the Battle around the tower happens. After that you cant cut .. because then the last travel happens the one Bastian makes to find himself ... which has some of my favourite moments .. like the Madame Ayola and her house of change and in the end how Bastian achieves the water of life
The py..... name like wtf is that word 🤣🤣
Lmao right?!!?!!!
Even if Bastian's not unattractive, he can still be that weird kid that draws unicorns and reads all the time, that's enough to not feel comfortable in your own skin, and the actor showed that I think. Still, it would be nice to to have the lead of this sort of movie be fat and strange looking, since audiences aren't normally challenged that way.
Hard disagree regarding Artex - I feel sad about him in the book, but it nowhere near the gut wrenching fear and tear jerking sadness we get from the movie. I think largely because he can't talk in the film works to it favor: we can sort of understand a thinking being wanting to die, but when your basic animal companion - especially something as loyal and free spirited as a horse - feels depressed enough to die, with his boy is screaming at him to not give up, that's staggeringly traumatizing IMO (still gets me).
I love the book - just finished it for the 3rd time - but it's first half doesn't hit me in the feels the way so much of movie does with it's music and acting. In contrast the books more intellectually stimulating - maybe it's a translation issue? Don't get me wrong, it hits emotionally too, but that's a slower build that pays off more in the second half and then really at the end. The movie, while lacking the fascinating depth you described, is still pretty heady with the basic themes, especially for a child: the apocalypse of the human imagination, determination vs. despair, the sense your own life could be informing some unknown observer, while we watch Bastian watch and attach himself to Atreyu. What it accomplished puts it below the book, but also above it - and what's more it led me, you and others to the book. I hope Michael Ende realized the good in that.
Since I first read it though, I can't stand that last "Falcor on Earth" scene, I just skip over that to the credits! lol
Wow what a thoughtful response! Thank you! I agree with your opinion on the Bastian actor's portrayal of the character's discomfort. In this day and age, I think they'd recast it to be closer to his physical traits from the book just for representation purposes, but I do think the original actor did a great job.
I think Artax is just heartbreaking all around. Poor thing.
I definitely agree with you thought on the emotional buildup of everything coming to a head in the second half of the book. That's one of the main reasons I keep trying to tell everybody to read it -- it's SO much different and the character of Bastian just goes through so much growth during that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video and to share your thoughts and opinions with me! I'm glad to know you're a fan of both the film and the book, same as me
I just watched this tonight, for the first time in (I really cant remember) with my 4 year old son. I forgot so much of it. But hell, now I need to read the book and make it required reading for him too.
Nice review my dude.
Thank you so much for creating this! It's so hard to find a solid analysis of the book (as opposed to the films) - which is so upsetting, since the book is so heartfelt and has such depth.
I am sure that not every person who reads this novel identifies with Bastian. However, I think many, many people can connect to a character with such a rich inner world and a pervasive sense of... I don't know... inadequacy or of being ill at ease with who they really are, or even unsure of who that even is.
Bastian is such a relatable character, and the way that the book examines that is really beautiful. The idea of discovering our true wish, the thing that fundamentally drives us and can heal us feels so resonant. As is the idea that the journey to find what we truly want can destroy us. There are so many facets of human experience in this, and I find it is a book that I have to return to from time to time, not just out of longing but because my own understanding of its messages expand each time I read it.
I hope you will eventually analyze the second half of the book.
Oh you’re welcome!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I should analyze the second half of the book! People always focus on the movie and there’s just so much more awesome stuff in the book
Part 2 is fan fic style wish fulfillment at its finest,
✨and I freaking love it✨
Haha me too!
Im nearing the end of the book now. Im regretting not reading it long before. Well more so listening as its the audiobook. I'd love to see a remake of this film to be more close to the book. As you said and other comments have limited cgi unless it's done really well.
After watching the movie for almost 40 years, I can't wait to read the book for the first time!
Love this comparison. Learned so much, makes me want to read the book now.
I haven’t seen the movie or read the book but I’m really interested in reading the book now. Wasn’t there a sequel to the movie? Is it connected to the book in any way?
I’m kinda surprised you’ve never seen it! Yes, there is a neverending story 2 and 3. They both suck. Number 2 has SOME themes from the second half of the book but for the most part they’re just awful movies that never needed to happen
Moonchild was kind of shafted in the movie. She’s depicted as this source of pure good with no depth beyond that. She gets Bastion to name her by giving him a confidence boost.
But in the book she’s much less noble than that and essentially tortures Bastion into finally naming her. It shows that she’s like her emblem suggests, is fully neutral person only concerned with keeping Fantastica alive. And that’s why everyone respects her symbol.
Her getting morally nerfed and Ygramul not showing up to highlight that even the evil creatures are invested in saving Fantastica are my only real issues with the adaptation.
You got it wrong. She never forces Bastian to do anything in the book, he chooses to get involved, even if she does give him some nudges. Her role seems more like a guide or catalyst for him to discover his own potential, rather than some plot to use him. The film doesn't depict her as a force of good, but a force of necessity.
While it is true that the film gives her a more pleasant aura, the Childlike Empress was never meant to be a character at all in either the book or the film. Rather, she is the ultimate avatar of a child's imagination, fantasy and the creativity of feminine energy. This is very clear in the book (at least in the original German version), even if it was never outright stated, and was eventually confirmed by the creator itself.
And yes, I am aware that she withholds important information from Bastian about the consequences of wishing, but she does so out of pragmatism rather than malice. If she told him the entire truth, Bastian would not want to save her empire and his journey would be incomplete.
@@vetarlittorf1807 I didn’t get anything wrong. She tortured him in a time loop when he refuses to name her. His only choices are to remain stuck forever or give in and name her.
@@thehauntedtree What I mean is that the film version is also a neutral figure, not a force of good. She just has a more calming presence.
I agree with everything you said, and to add on,I think the entire message of the book was changed in the movie. The book gets into the dark part of emotions. I think the movie just kind of took the cream off the top of the story. I love them both but they had very different feels for the same story.
Great video friend! How strange is it that they only did the first half of the book... like does it feel like a cut off in the book? Or is it as weird as it sounds?
Thank you! And to be honest, it works with how they’ve done it as far as the cutoff goes. The second half feels like a completely different book
Isn’t it cool that the movie ends exactly half way through the book, so if you watch the film first and then read the book, you’re like holy shit, the books neverending…
@@amytang6915 😅🤣😂
I'm pretty sure big part of why Ende hated the movie was because it was Hollywood Movie. He loved Momo made in Italy. He also hated the sexual references of the Sphinx and the doors of the Magnolia Terrace. I think the Movie did really good and even made it better than him with the Ivory Tower, Gmork and the nothing. The book has a better Falcor and a more sophisticated concept of Fantasia being more mysterious and esotheric but that's it.
The sphinxes were so sexualized!
@@GetWriteOnIn And the doors looking like a Vagina didnt help much either. But that's how Hollywood worked at that time. If the Execs want to change something to make sure the movie sells the Producer have no choice but to comply. Still, Ende was way too harsh and unfair to the effort made by the Art Directors. The Art directors made sure the movie had an elevated sense of artistry and avoided as much cheesiness as they could and it shows. For me their concept of the Ivory Tower was an improvement of the book as well as how they cutted some of the redundancy of the book in certain areas. What the movie did wrong for me was exposing ceirtain elements of the plot like being too vague in the explanation why the Empress needed a new name to reinvigorate or explaining the whole proccess of the Oracle. Still the Movie had some beautiful artistic elements that mimic the mystery of Fantasia. Making a movie like the book is an artistic nightmare. It's more suited for an animated short series.
I don’t know. I prefer the version of the Ivory Tower in the book. A giant city carved out of ivory and built up into the form of a looming mountain, and surrounded on all sides by a vast labyrinthine garden. Kind of like an amped up Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings, but with a particularly lofty elegance.
@@nathanashmore2131 The empress is the representation of Bastians mother, standing virginal and pristine in the Ivory Tower, unreachable surounded by mountains far from good and evil. You can't see an entrance as presented in the movie.
@@shodannadohs4045 I didn’t mention the entrance, and it’s true that there isn’t a direct path to the Magnolia Pavilion at the top. I was just expressing that I liked the design of the Ivory Tower better in the book.
Also, is it really confirmed that the Childlike Empress is a representation of Bastian’s mother? I can’t get over that one part where Falkor and Atreyu are talking about the Empress and AURYN and what’s happening to Bastian, and Atreyu almost says something (presumably negative) about the Empress and Falkor cuts him off to preserve the honor of the Empress from slander. I get the sense that the Empress may be something else, but I’m not sure what.
The Neverending Story was my first foray into issekai.
What is the significance of the clock in the belfrey
To that, I am unsure
Oo so interesting - i havent seen the movie in years but i remember loving it! I'll def have to check out the book
I sincerely believe you will love it!
That was brilliant!! You really made me want to read the book. I never read fiction but this might be my one exception cause I love the film so much
That was a great video- im currently reading it, and I can see the massive difference to the movie. Thanks :)
I've never seen this movie either (as some others in the comments) - haha!
Omg really?? Well... you should lol. But I obvi recommend the book over the movie haha
Fantastica. Nah for me it will be Fantasia. I watched the movie first. In audiobooks which I use to help me read its just not the same.
The audiobook is really well done
Someone may have already said this but it is End’ā, like En’day. German name the letter are pronounced.
Great video, thank you.
I am not sure if the "Michael" in his name is pronounced as "Mick-Kel" or "My-Ker" in German. According to this TH-cam video, it would be pronounced as "Mick-Kel" in German:
th-cam.com/video/sQg1LL48pz0/w-d-xo.html
But in some TH-cam videos where they interview Wolfgang Petersen about the movie, he pronounce it the typical English way as "My-Ker".
There’s a Neverending Story 2 movie that KIND OF follows the second half of the book. It has the Lake of Tears, the dragon, the witch….. and that’s about it. Very loose. It’s awful, tho, so, don’t bother.
Omg it was TERRIBLE!!! Not as bad as the third movie though... that one just hurt my heart haha.
Love this review. 💕💕💕
Thank you so much
Great video.
Thank you so much
Movie only covers first half of the book. I have the book just never got around to reading it. Eyes are getting to old.
like you, i didnt even know it was a book
this is for my exam
I'm pretty sure that the phrase "sitting Indian style" had nothing to do originally with the Native Americans, instead dating back to the British impression of Indian culture. Not that no Native Americans before European colonization ever sat cross-legged. It's just a common posture for meditation in several parts of Asia. It's because this has not been exclusive to India for probably thousands of years that "sitting Indian style" is no longer a regular figure of speech among any educated people, not because it's inherently offensive to Indian people. Of course, it is offensive to Native Americans to call them Indians, just because it is ignorant of the reality that they actually have nothing to do with India, and that problematic practice has indeed led to confusion before about the original expression to numerous people and about various other uses of language.
I never even knew the movie was a thing until a few years ago and I hated it so much... The book was so great, so insightfull... The movie was campy and not very convincing...
I’m glad you enjoyed the book!
ME NEITHER UNTIL NOW TILL COMING CROSS YA VID HERE! IM SUCH A FAN OF THE FILM. AND I BELIEVE THIS FILM IS NOT RECIEVING THE TOTAL RESPECT IT DESERVES BACK!! LIKE ITS BEEN IGNORED ALL OFF A SUDDEN!! THERES NO MENTION ON IT OR TALK ON IT!! BACK TO THE FUTURE STAR WARS WIZARD OF OZ AND SHIT BUT NOT THIS!! FILMS WERE SO WHOLESOME BACK THEN,. I DONT KNOW IF REMEMBER THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD! WHICH ALSO WAS A BOOK WHICH I NEVER KNOWN TO BE OF ONE ALSO! FILMS LIKE THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA NEVER ENDING STORY INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD AND COURSE HARRY POTTER!! BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THEY NEED TO BRING BACK NEVER ENDING STORY BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN!! BUT IM PICTURING THIS FILM IN 3FRESKING D!!
I think both are good but I think Michael's reasoning for despising the movie is pretty stupid. They cut out quite a bit of stuff. Yeah of course they did. It was 400 pages and the movie is 93 minutes long. What did people expect? I have noticed a lot of authors despise adaptations but it is usually because it is not exactly their version. Do people not know what an adaptation is? This should be obvious.
With all due respect to the author, I think the first movie still did a great job in portraying the plot in its own way and is a very enjoyable representation of it. Especially given the fact when it was made, with only practical effects at play and no hollow CGI, not to mention the fantastic soundtrack accompanying it. That achievement is a masterpiece of its own. The sequel movies were not so good, though.
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Basically you said the book is 95% accurate in the movie 😂😂😂😂 so i dont get it why the author got so angry about , the NE sequel THAAAAT WAS BLAAAASPHEMY 100% 😂😂😂 that one was one of the worst movies of all time and an insult to the book and the author
With all due respect, the movie sucks!!!