This magical tale about the power of storytelling and faith has so many messages that, like The NeverEnding Story itself, are timeless. Let’s hop on Falkor and explore. This is the ending of The NeverEnding Story, finally explained.
The NeverEnding Story takes the tried and true formula of the Hero’s Journey and gives it an interesting narrative twist by doubling up on protagonists. Atreyu is tasked with finding a cure for the Childlike Empress, whose deathly illness threatens the fabric of Fantasia while a dark force called the Nothing eats everything in its path. From the Ivory Tower to the Swamps of Sadness, the Southern Oracle, and the ends of Fantasia itself, Atreyu searches for a cure at great personal loss. He loses his horse and best friend Artax, which threatens the courage and resolve that got him on this journey in the first place. Fortunately, he makes a new friend in luck dragon Falkor, who helps him get back on track.
At the first gate of the Southern Oracle, Atreyu faces another test: this time he must confront his own sense of self-worth, proving he believes in himself. He then has to confront the vision of his true self in a mousy little boy named Bastian who is reading a book far, far away. Part of Atreyu’s journey is complete when he learns the Childlike Empress needs a new name, and only a human child can bestow it, but there are more setbacks in store. Atreyu loses Falkor and his magical talisman, and is forced to confront the Nothing’s minion with nothing but his own wits and strength.
Meanwhile, Bastian has his own part to play in The NeverEnding Story. At first, it seems like a simple framing sequence, with Bastian reading a storybook about the events unfolding for Atreyu and Fantasia. He’s grieving the loss of a mother who seemed to support her son’s sensitivity and daydreaming, and his escape into flights of fancy are his coping method. When Atreyu loses Artax, Bastian weeps along with him, because he has felt that loss himself.
As he reads, Bastian realizes that he might be the most important hero of them all. And to honor his cherished mother and her memory, he even gives her name to the Childlike Empress, saving her and Fantasia.
If it seems silly that a new name might save someone’s life, then you haven’t considered the power of what we call things. Bastian is called terrible names by the school bullies, which certainly affects how he feels and sees himself. With the arrival of the Nothing, the Childlike Empress also loses an aspect of herself that must be reinvented. Her new name is a new start, not just for the Empress, but for her whole world.
As Bastian makes his wishes, he ensures that all the friendships made before the Nothing’s rampage remained intact. He ultimately gets to experience a ride on Falkor firsthand, and even gives his bullies a taste of their own terrible medicine.
Friendship through trauma
As the Nothing sweeps across Fantasia, a ragtag bunch meets in the Howling Forest on their way to the Ivory Tower: The Rock Biter, the Night Hob and his Stupid Bat, as well as Teeny Weeny and his Racing Snail. They are all members of different Fantasian groups with the same mission of beseeching the Childlike Empress for help restoring their lands. This unlikely group quickly becomes friends as they realize how each can help the others. The Night Hob is able to fly to the top of the Ivory Tower and hear the news. The Rock Biter offers all the little ones protection, and the Racing Snail is here to shatter preconceived notions of what certain kinds of creatures can do. Keep watching the video because we finally understand the edning of The NeverEnding Story!
#EndingExplained NeverEndingStory
The Heroes’ Journeys | 0:14
Friendship through trauma | 3:05
The fight against despair | 4:21
The Luck Dragon | 5:10
The Swamps of Sadness | 5:48
Apathy and cynicism | 6:49
Triumph of the spirit | 7:39
The anti-bullying message | 8:09
The magic of reading | 8:50
The NeverEnding sequels | 9:58
The NeverEnding Story that never ends | 10:57
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What movie series from your childhood do you want to learn more about?
This is a well done commentary.
I actually like the sequel better…
How many here we're scared to death of that wolf who served the Nothing? (shivers)
Why did the stone biter eat his own penis 12 minutes into the movie?
I never finished this movie. it felt…never ending
Im upset now.
Great vid! Really enjoyed it and love the movie more now. I guess I need people to spell out why I love certain movies so much. Like I really enjoyed TNES but never knew exactly why. I do now. Thanks.
Bastian looked at the book.
'I wonder,' he said to himself, 'what's in a book while it's closed. Oh, I know it's full of letters printed on paper, but all the same, something must be happening, because as soon as I open it, there's a whole story with people I don't know yet and all kinds of adventures, deeds and battles. And sometimes there are storms at sea, or it takes you to strange cities and countries. All those things are somehow shut in a book. Of course you have to read it to find out. But it's already there, that's the funny thing. I just wish I knew how it could be.'
Michael Ende Author of "The Neverending Story"
Moon child, though? I wish I never knew what name he called.
One of my favorite moves of all time. I always thought that my first best friend looked like the empress …she moved away and i never saw her again .
No matter how many times I watch it… I still don't hear MoonChild?. Who names their daughter Moon child anyway.
Comes here Moon child, that enough MoonChild… Stop farting MoonChild. It's neverending?
Wow. The Never Ending Story. Today is my birthday I just turned 39. I saw that when it came out and I loved it!! It’s been so long since I’ve thought about it!! Seeing parts of it in this vid brings back memories and emotions!! The swamps of sadness…. The Nothing…. that’s some dark heavy shit for a little kid!! When Falcor grabbed him from the swamp just before the wolf grabbed him!! Wow!! That’s a movie every young kid should see!! It’s dark at times but unforgettable!!!
Too many ads for a 10 minute video.
The original is such a wonderful film. So many iconic scenes.This was one of the greatest movies of my childhood ?
Still a better written story than the new Star Wars trilogy.
Then the book secret of all ages by manly p hall isnt for you XD
Love this film when I was a kid and still love it still know that I am an adult
I never understood what he was saying when he yelled her name ?
The three gates are ego, shadow self, and self actualization. All of Fantasia is a projection of Sebastian. This is Jungian psychology. It’s thought all our word is a projection of non locality.
Great book. First movie was made well and follows the book up to chapter 12 accurately. Second film was not good. Not interested in the third.
Unfortunately in this day and age this type of message can be hazardous to ppl's mental health. Our world is what it is because not all people are good and the good don't often prevail.
I had such a crush on Atreyu when I was twelve! xD
I don't think anyone til this day knows the name of his mother that he shouted out the window…..
When I first watched the movie as a little girl, I was completely in love with Falkor and all I wanted was to take a nap against his side.
Side note: My library actually has or had the Michael Ende book.
SIDE side note: the theme song makes me cry because it’s so beautifully done. Anyone else?
Although this was a summary of the movie, I really appreciate the beautiful narrative.
This Video is for Dumb people…
The "Never Ending Story" is a Book by Michael Ende which is called "Die unendliche Geschichte" , who is or better was, a german Writer. And the movie has nothing in common with the book. Which has 2 parts! And the Book tells us about the never ending story. Why it is called like that. And it tells about beeing human. The movie is just… a movie.
2:22 I must have rewound this part a million times and I still never understood what he said ?
If you want to understand this movie READ THE BOOK BY MICHAEL ENDE ITS BASED ON!!! The movie is great, but it takes on a level when you read the book. In a way the movie is the very thing the book was discouraging…… READ THE BOOK PEOPLE IF YOU LIKED THE MOVIE YOU WILL LOVE THE BOOK!!!
Actually thought provoking. Well done.
Wait…there is a neverending story 3?? I loved this movie so much but these days for me neverending story is my dishes in the sink!
Ugh even talking about the never ending story makes me all weepy
Do you think you could put more commercials in the video? I have see 6 and I am only halfway through.
Part two the main character, I would like to know why he committed suicide he had a bright future ahead of him too
Your patched on, post modern, woke intersectional interpretation is shit. Please stop destroying good things.
One of my favorite movies of all time??