The NeverEnding Story (1984) – Full movie

- Morning, Bastian.
- Morning, dad.

Ow!

Mm.

I had another dream, dad.

About mom.

I understand, son.

But we have to get on
with things, right?

Bastian, we each
have responsibilities.

And we can't let mom's death..

...be an excuse for not getting
the old job done, right?

Yeah.

Son, I think it's time
you and I had a little talk.

I got a call from your
math teacher, yesterday.

She says that you were..

...drawing horses
in your math book.

Unicorns. They were unicorns.

What?

Nothing.

She also says that you haven't
been turning in

your homework on time.

And I'm very disappointed
that you didn't even

try out for the swimming team.

'As to those riding lessons
you wanted..'

'You say you love horses
and yet you seem'

to be afraid
to get on a real one.

Now, Bastian, you're old enough
to get your head down

out of the clouds
and...start keeping

'both feet
on the ground, right?'

Okay.

Stop daydreaming.
Start facing your problems.

Okay?

- Okay.
- Okay.

Yeah, I think
we've had...a nice talk.

We should have more.

You have a good day, son.
Don't be late for school again.

But y-yesterday I wasn't..

'Hey, it's the weirdo.'

Hey, weirdo,
got any cash for us today?

- Let's get him!
- Yeah!

Hey! Where're you goin'?

'You're dead, weirdo!'

Can't get away, you jerk!

You're dead, chicken!
We're gonna get you!

- Where's your money, man?
- I don't have any!

No money? Mama's boy's
holdin' out on us.

If you ain't got no money on
you, you go in the garbage can.

No!

- Yeah, alright!
- Way to go!

'Maybe the chicken
can lay an egg in there.'

'Hey, man, who said
you can get out of the garbage?'

Get back in there!

No, not again.
No, not again!

'Where do you
think you're going, wimp?'

'Hey, where'd he go?'

- 'He went that way.'
- 'Which way?'

'That way!'

'Get outta
here! I don't like kids.'

Are you still here, didn't you
hear what I said, boy?

Um, I was, uh..

- 'You're hiding, aren't you?'
- No, I was jus--

The video arcade
is down the street.

Here we just sell
small rectangular objects.

They're called books.

'They require
a little effort on your part'

and make
no bee-bee-bee-bee-beeps.

- On your way, please.
- I know books!

I have 186 of them at home.

- Ah! Comic books.
- 'No.'

I've read "Treasure Island,"
"The Last Of The Mohicans"

"Wizard Of Oz,"
"Lord Of The Rings"

"20,000 Leagues
Under The Sea," "Tarzan.."

Ooh ooh oh.. Come.

Who were you running away from?

Um, just some kids from school.

Why?

They wanna throw me
in the garbage.

Why don't you give 'em
a good punch in the nose, hm?

Well, I don't know.

What's that book about?

Oh, this is something...special.

Well, what is it?

Look..

Your books are safe.

By reading them,
you get to become

Tarzan, or Robinson Crusoe..

But that's what
I like about 'em.

Ah, but afterwards you get
to be a little boy again.

Wh-what do you mean?

Listen..

Have you ever been..

...Captain Nemo

trapped inside your submarine

while the giant squid
is attacking you?

Yes.

Weren't you afraid
you couldn't escape?

But it's only a story.

That's what I'm talking about.

The ones you read...are safe.

And that one isn't?

Don't worry about it.

But, but you just said it was..

Forget about it.

This book...is not for you.

'Coreander's.'

'Oh, yes.
What can I do for you?'

'No, I don't, I don't have it'

'but I can find it for you.'

'Well, their run
may be 300, 375..'

'Might take me
a couple of weeks.'

Good-bye.

'Math test. Oh, no.'

"It was midnight
in the Howling Forest.

"The wind whistled through
the tops of the ancient trees.

"Suddenly, something enormous

crashed and rumbled
through the eerie woods."

Ah!

What's that?

Excuse me.

Would it be alright
if I joined you this evening?

You see, I've been
traveling all day.

Ah!

Mm. Mm. M..

Aha!

Now I see why
you picked this camp.

- Now..
- Oh...oh..

Oh. Oh, no!

Oh!

A delicious looking
limestone rock.

Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm.

Nice bouquet.

Must be a real vintage year.

Yes, you're right.

Those delicious rocks
are the reason

we camped here, alright.

- Is he, ssst, a nut case?
- No, he's a rock biter.

- A rock bi.. A rock biter!
- Sh-sh!

Hey!

- Now..
- Ah!

- 'Oops. Sorry.'
- Poor baby.

'Pardon me. Mm.'

'That was limestone,
with a dash of quartz.'

Very tasty.

Where-where I come
from in the north

we used to have exquisite
gourmet rocks.

Only now..

Now..

..they're all gone.

I know how it happened.

Oh! I-I swear it wasn't me.

No. I think I know
what it was. Tell us more!

Near my home there used to be
a beautiful lake

but then..

..then it, it was gone.

Did the lake...dry up?

No, it just wasn't
there anymore.

Nothing was there anymore.

Not even a dried-up lake.

- A hole?
- A hole would be something.

No, it was nothing.

And it got bigger and bigger.

'First, there was no lake
anymore and then, finally..'

...no rocks.

If he keeps
stuffing his face like that

soon there won't be
any rocks here either.

Night Hob,
this could be serious!

Rock Biter,
what you have told us

is also happening
where I live in the west.

A strange sort of nothing
is destroying everything.

Yes. We Night Hobs live in
the south, and it's there too.

So, it's, its not just

in our part of Fantasia?

Maybe, it's already everywhere.

Ah.

Maybe our whole land
is in danger.

What can we do?

My people are sending me
to the Ivory Tower

to The Empress for help.

- We are on the same--
- We are.. Sh-sh!

We are on the same mission.

After all, if The Empress
can't save us, who could?

'Then why are
we all just sitting around here'

instead of taking off
for the Ivory Tower?

- Right!
- Ah!

What are we waiting for?

Yes! Yes! Let's go now.

Hey, wake up.

Come on, old girl.

We can't just hang around here.

Wake up. Ready for take-off.

Oh, stupid bat!

We can't wait for a snail.

Can I carry you?

Don't worry,
it's a racing snail.

'Oh.'

But, but, but we can't
even wait for a racing snail.

Tally-ho!

Hey...it really
is a racing snail.

And nobody gives a hoot
about me and my stupid bat.

Maybe I'll take a few

of these yummy gourmet rocks,
uh, for the road.

Ah.

Oh, no.

The Nothing.

Look.

There it is.

The heart of Fantasia.

I never knew
it was that beautiful.

Oh.

Stay awake!

I told you to stay awake!

The home of The Empress.

She's our only hope.

Friends, I know
why you are all here.

The Nothing..

...is destroying our world.

I also know
that you have come to beseech..

...The Empress for help.

But I..

...I have terrible news.

The empress herself
has become deathly ill.

Ooh.

There seems to be
a mysterious link

between her illness
and The Nothing.

She's dying.

So she cannot save...us.

But there just
might be one chance.

The Plainspeople who hunt
the purple buffalo

have among them a great warrior,
and he alone has a chance

to fight The Nothing
and save us.

He is our only hope.

His name..

...is Atreyu.

Atreyu.

"The empress had already
sent for the great warrior.

"When he finally appeared
on the terrace

"of the Ivory Tower,
he carried with him

the hopes of all Fantasia."

Heh. Huh. Huh?

A little boy.

I'm sorry

but this is not the time
nor place for children.

I must ask you to leave.

If you don't want me here,
you shouldn't have sent for me.

- Is he a nut case?
- It was not you we sent for.

- We wanted Atreyu.
- I am Atreyu.

Not Atreyu the child,
Atreyu the warrior!

I'm the only Atreyu
of the Plainspeople.

But I'll be happy to go back
hunting the purple buffalo.

No, wait!

Come back, please.

If you really
are the Atreyu we sent for

you would be willing
to go on a quest?

Yes. Of course.

What kind of a quest?

To find a cure for The Empress.

And to save our world.

No one can give you
any advice except this.

You must go alone.

You must leave
all your weapons behind.

It will be very dangerous.

Is there any chance of success?

I do not know.

But if you fail,
The Empress will surely die.

And our whole world
will be utterly destroyed.

When do I begin?

Now. And you must hurry, Atreyu.

The Nothing
grows stronger every day.

Take this.

The AURYN.

'He who wears the
AURYN speaks for The Empress.'

'It will guide and protect you.'

- Wake up!
- Farewell, Atreyu!

Take care.

"At the same time,
elsewhere in Fantasia

"a creature of darkness

also began his quest."

"They had been traveling
aimlessly for almost a week

"but they could not find
a cure for The Empress.

"Neither Atreyu,
nor his horse, Artax

"had the vaguest suspicion
that the creature of darkness

the Gmork, was already
tracking them down."

What is it, Artax?

Is it time to...go, already?

Oh. I know what you want.

It's time to eat. Hm?

Good idea.

No. It's a great idea!

No. Not too much.

We still have a long way to go.

"Atreyu and Artax had searched
the Silver Mountains

"the Desert of Shattered Hopes
and the Crystal Towers

"without success.

"And so, there was only
one chance left.

"To find Morla

"the Ancient One

"the wisest being in Fantasia

"whose home
was the Shell Mountain

"somewhere in the deadly

Swamps of Sadness."

Come on, boy. Come on.

That's it.

That's it, boy.

It's okay.

"Everyone knew that whoever
let the sadness overtake him

would sink into the swamp."

You're doing fine, Artax.

'That's right.'

Come on, Artax.

What's the matter?

What's wrong?

Come on, boy.

What's the matter?

I understand.

It's too difficult for you.

Artax, you're sinking!

Come on! Turn around!
You have to! Now!

Come on! Artax!

Fight against the sadness,
Artax.

Artax, please.

You're letting the sadness
of the swamps get to you.

You have to try.
You have to care.

For me.

You're my friend.

I love you.

Artax! Stupid horse!

You got to move or you'll die!

Move. Please.

I won't give up. Don't quit!

Artax! No!

The Shell Mountain.

Morla, the Ancient One.

Morla.

Morla!

Ah!

Ah!

Huh?

Hm.

But that's impossible.

They couldn't have heard me.

Are you Morla, the Ancient One?

Not that it matters..

...but yes.

Please help me, Morla.

Do you recognize this?

Well..

...we haven't seen

the AURYN in a long time.

We?

Is there someone else here too?

We haven't spoken to anyone else

for thousands of years

'so we started talking'

to ourselves.

Morla, I bring terrible news.

Did you know The Empress
is very ill?

Not that it matters..

...but yes.

Actually, we don't care.

If I don't save her, she'll die!

There's a terrible Nothing
sweeping over the land.

Don't you care about that?

We don't even care..

...whether or not we care.

- Do you have a cold?
- No.

We're allergic

to youth.

You know how I can help
The Empress, don't you?

Not that it matters..

...but yes.

If you don't tell me
and The Nothing keeps coming

you'll die too! Both of you!

Die?

'That, at least'

would be something.

Please help me.
You said you knew the answer..

'We are tired of sneezing.'

'Go away! Nothing matters.'

That's not true.

If it didn't really matter
to you, you could tell me.

- Clever boy.
- Tell me, please!

We don't know.

But you can ask

'the Southern Oracle.'

How can I get there?

You can't.

It's 10,000

'miles away.'

But that's so far.

That's right.

Forget it.

Give up.

No.

Atreyu wouldn't quit now.

Ah.

Oh, boy.

"After days and nights
of unconsciousness

"Atreyu slowly opened his eyes

"and found himself
in strange surroundings.

He was clean
and his wounds were dressed."

Huh?

Phew.

Leaving so soon?

Hm?

I-I, I was just going to..

I-I, I have to..

- I was trying to--
- Sneak away?

'Yeah.'

I, I mean, no, no.

- I like children.
- For breakfast?

Never.

I'm a luck dragon.

'My name is Falkor.'

- And my name is--
- Atreyu.

And you're on a quest.

How did you know that?

You were unconscious..

...and you talked in your sleep.

What?

Could you...get around

and scratch behind my right ear?

I can never quite reach it.

- Here?
- Uh..

Yeah...yeah!

Oh!

That's so good.

Thank you.

So, little fellow

you're on your way
to the Southern Oracle?

Yes.

But it's hopeless.
It's too far away.

Oh, I wouldn't
necessarily say that.

You, you know how to get there?

Why, sure.
It's right around the corner.

How did all this happen?

With luck.

You've already brought me
the entire 10,000 miles?

No.

Only 9,891

'as the dragon flies.'

You're amazing!

Having a luck dragon with you

is the only way
to go on a quest.

Things will work out fine,
Atreyu.

Never give up

and good luck will find you.

It's good to have
a friend again.

Hm. Hm.

You have more than one.

Look.

Hm..

Get out of my light, wench!

You're disturbing
my scientific work.

You and your scientific work.

What the boy needs now
is one of my potions.

The boy will need my scientific
advice much more.

Yes, yes,
but not until he's well.

- Get back to your own corner--
- I'm going this way.

I'm always finding you
in my place.

Ah! He's well.

Now it's my turn with him.

Oh, no, you don't!

I'll decide when he's well.

It's your turn
when I say it's your turn.

Well, little man, still in pain?

Mm, a little, but it's alright.

I like that.

The patient telling the doctor
it's alright.

It has to hurt if it's to heal.

Here.

Drink that.

- Ugh!
- Good, hm?

That's my bat-wing broth.

There's eye of newt in there,
tree mold, old lizard brains

scales from a rancid
sea serpent.

Just where did you
and your dragon come from?

What are you on to?

Anything of interest
to the scientific community?

My name is Atreyu. I came here
to find the Southern Oracle.

- Oh!
- Here we go again.

You've come
to the right place, my boy.

I am somewhat of an expert
on the Southern Oracle.

"It is my scientific
specialty."

It's my scientific specialty.

Why don't you sit down
and be quiet for once?

- You keep quiet, wench.
- Oh!

It's now my turn.

My name is Engywook.
Uh, she's Urgl.

Ever heard of me?

- I don't think so.
- Oh.

You don't move
in scientific circles.

I am the expert
on the Southern Oracle.

Oh, you've come
to the right place, my boy!

There's no fool
like an old fool.

Wait! Stay here.

The observatory.

To the winch, wench.

Come on, lazybones!
Can't you go any faster?

I've been studying the mysteries

of the Southern Oracle
for years.

Some day I'll publish my book

"A Century of Studying
the Southern Oracle

"by Professor Engywook.

Volume One, The Early Years."

Have you ever been
to the Southern Oracle?

Eh, what do you think?

I work scientifically.

Look.

Is that the Southern Oracle?

Oh, no.

It's the first of the two gates
you must pass through

before you reach
the Southern Oracle

and get me the final
information for my book.

Of course...most people..

...never get that far.

Why?

The Sphinxes' eyes

stay closed until someone

who does not feel his own worth
tries to pass by.

Ah!

Here comes one that looks fancy.

Let's see what he really
thinks of himself.

Look, look.

Hee-hee! Go on, scaredy-cat!

Oh, go on!

Oh, it's my turn. Let me see.

I'm the scientist.

He's going on.

I think he's gonna make it.

The Sphinxes' eyes

are they open or shut?

Let, let me see!

'They're shut.'

Oh, is he in?

- No, wait!
- Huh?

The eyes are opening!

Oh, no!

Did he make it, did he?

No.

Fancy armor doesn't help.

The Sphinxes can see

straight into your heart.

'Listen, boy, next time,
let me see what happens.'

It's my telescope.

- I'm gonna try.
- No!

Don't go yet. I have not
told you about the next gate.

It's even worse than this one.

Atreyu!

Atreyu!

Oh, oh, oh..

He'll never make it.
He'll never make it!

Oh, no!
Don't start to doubt yourself.

Be confident!

Be confident.

Be confident!

Run, Atreyu, run!

Run, Atreyu!

Run! Now!

He made it! He made it!

He made it!

Ha ha ha..

He made it!
He made it!

You could do with a dose
of juicy vitamins, too.

He made it!

Atreyu, he made it
through the Sphinx gate.

- I always said he could do it.
- Oh, good!

But that's no reason for you
to fall out of the basket again.

- Oh, tssh!
- I knew he would be safe.

Nonsense!
You don't understand anything.

The worst one is coming up.

Next is the Magic Mirror Gate.

Atreyu must face his true self.

So what?
That won't be too hard for him.

Argh! That's what
everyone thinks.

But kind people find
that they are cruel.

Brave men discover
that they are really cowards.

Confronted with their
true selves

most men run away screaming!

Now, this is going too far.

What if they..

...really do know
about me in Fantasia?

The Southern Oracle?

Do not be
afraid. We will not harm you.

We have been waiting
for you a long time

Atreyu.

Are you the Southern Oracle?

Yes, we are.

Then you must know
what can save Fantasia.

Yes, we do.

Well, what is it?
I have to know!

The empress..

needs..

...a new name.

A new name, that's all?

But that's easy!

I can give her
any name she wants.

No one from Fantasia..

...can do it.

Only a human child..

...can give her this new name.

Huh?

A human child,
where can I find one?

'You can only find one..'

'...beyond the boundaries
of Fantasia.'

'If you want to save
our world..'

'...you must hurry!'

'We don't know..'

'...how much longer we can
withstand The Nothing.'

Falkor! Falkor!

'Hurry, Falkor!
'The Nothing's everywhere.'

Don't worry.

We'll reach the boundaries
of Fantasia.

- Do you know where they are?
- 'I have no idea.'

Then how do we find
a human child?

With luck.

'Faster, Falkor,
faster! We have to hurry.'

Alright, hang on tight!

Aah!

Oh!

Wow!

Yaah!

Oh!

What a shame they don't ask me.

My mother

she had such a wonderful name.

"On and on they flew
until they reached

"the Sea of Possibilities

where they could go
no further."

'Look, Atreyu. The Nothing!'

Aargh..

Falkor!

Atreyu, Atreyu!

Atreyu.

Huh!

Falkor!

Falkor!

Where are you?

Falkor.

Atreyu! Where are you?

Atreyu!

Falkor!

- Falkor.
- Atreyu!

Hm.

'They look like big'

good, strong hands..

...don't they?

I always thought

that's what they were.

Uh...my little friends.

'The little man
with his racing snail'

the Night Hob

even the stupid bat.

'I couldn't hold on to them.'

'The Nothing'

pulled them right out
of my hands.

I failed.

No, you didn't fail.
I'm the one who failed.

I was the one chosen
to stop The Nothing.

But I lost the AURYN.

I can't find my luck dragon.

So I won't be able to get beyond
the boundaries of Fantasia.

Listen.

The Nothing..

...will be here any minute.

I will just sit here

and let it take me away, too.

They look..

...like good..

...strong...hands..

...don't they?

Um.

Aah!

Morla?

Artax!

Artax.

If you come any closer..

...I will rip you to shreds.

Who are you?

I am Gmork.

And you, whoever you are..

...can have the honor
of being my last victim.

I will not die easily.

I am a warrior.

Hah! Brave warrior.

- Then fight The Nothing.
- But I can't!

I can't get beyond
the boundaries of Fantasia.

What's so funny about that?

Fantasia..

...has no boundaries.

That's not true.
You're lying!

Foolish boy!

Don't you know anything
about Fantasia?

It's the world of human fantasy.

Every part..

...every creature of it

is a piece of the dreams
and hopes of mankind.

Therefore..

...it has no boundaries.

But why is Fantasia dying then?

Because people have begun
to lose their hopes

and forget their dreams.

So The Nothing grows stronger.

What is The Nothing?

It's the emptiness that's left.

It is like a despair

destroying this world.

And I have been trying
to help it.

But why?

Because people
who have no hopes..

...are easy to control.

And whoever has the control..

...has the power.

Who are you, really?

I am the servant..

...of the power
behind The Nothing.

I was sent to kill the only one

who could have stopped
The Nothing.

'I lost him
in the Swamps of Sadness.'

His name..

...was Atreyu.

'If we're about to die anyway'

'I'd rather die fighting!'

Come for me, Gmork!

I am Atreyu!

Falkor!

Falkor!

Atreyu!

'Got you!'

Pfft!

That was the end of Fantasia.

Only a few fragments
of this once

rich and beautiful world

had been left by The Nothing.

'Good old Falkor.'

'Can you see anything?'

'Anything at all?'

'No.'

All the land is gone.

I know.

And all because I failed.

You tried.

Do you suppose the Ivory Tower
is still standing?

Let's hope so, Atreyu.

Let's hope so.

Let the AURYN guide you.

If the Ivory Tower still stands

take us there.

Falkor!

The Ivory Tower!

The Empress..

Go on.

Atreyu.

Why do you look so sad?

I have failed you, Empress.

No, you haven't.

You brought him with you.

Who?

The Earthling child.

The one..

...who can save us all.

You knew about
the Earthling child?

Of course.

I knew everything.

My horse died, I nearly drowned

I just barely got away
from The Nothing.

For what? To find out
what you already knew?

It was the only way
to get in touch

with an Earthling.

But I didn't get in touch
with an Earthling!

Yes, you did.

He has suffered with you.

He went through everything
you went through.

And now, he has come here

with you.

He is very close

listening

to every word...we say.

What?

Where is he?

If he's so close,
why doesn't he arrive?

He doesn't realize
he's already a part of

The Never-Ending Story.

"The Never-Ending Story"?

What's that?

Just as he is sharing
all your adventures

'others are sharing his.'

They were with him

when he hid from the boys

in the bookstore.

But that's impossible!

They were with him
when he took the book

with the AURYN symbol
on the cover

in which he's reading

his own story..

...right now.

I can't believe it.

They can't be talking about me.

What will happen
if he doesn't appear?

Then our world will disappear..

...and so will I.

How could he let that happen?

He doesn't understand
that he's the one

who has the power to stop it.

'He simply can't imagine'

that one little boy
could be that important.

Is it really me?

Maybe he doesn't know
what he has to do!

What do I have to do?

He has to give me a new name.

He's already chosen it.

He just has to call it out.

But it's only a story.

It's not real.

It's only a story.

Atreyu, no!

'Atreyu!'

Bastian..

...why don't you do what
you dream, Bastian?

But I can't, I have to keep
my feet on the ground.

Call my name.

Bastian..

...please!

Save us!

Alright! I'll do it!

I'll save you.

I will do what I dream!

Moon Child!

Why is it so dark?

In the
beginning, it is always dark.

What is that?

'One grain of sand.'

It is all that remains
of my vast empire.

Fantasia has totally
disappeared?

Yes.

Then everything's been in vain.

No, it hasn't.

Fantasia can arise anew

from your dreams and wishes,
Bastian.

How?

Open your hand.

What are you going to wish for?

I don't know.

Then there will be no Fantasia..

...anymore.

How many wishes do I get?

As many as you want.

And the more wishes you make

the more magnificent
Fantasia will become.

Really?

Try it.

Then my first wish is..

Yeah!

Falkor, it's even more beautiful
than I thought!

- Like it?
- Falkor, it's wonderful!

Falkor, it's like The Nothing
never was.

Look!

Atreyu and Artax!

What would you like
to wish for next?

Yes, yeah!

Look, there they are!

It's a monster!

Get 'em, Falkor!

Let's see how you like it,
chickens!

Down here.

We're gonna get you, guys!

Bastian made many other wishes

and had many other
amazing adventures

before he finally returned
to the ordinary world.

But that's another story.