What do you remeber the most about this movie as a kid??

You guys have no idea how traumatic that horse scene is as a child lol. When I think of a sad childhood movie memory, this is it 😩😆

I watched it in the cinema as a child. Believe me, at the reveal of "other children have watched Bastian as he watched Atreyu" all of the kids (me included) gasped out loud!🤣 This was so mind blowing at that age!

You glossed over what I think is the most important line in the movie, where Gmork explains that the Nothing is "the emptiness that's left. It's like a despair, destroying this world. And I have been trying to help it....Because people who have no hopes, are easy to control. And whoever has control, has the power." Look around at what's happening in the world today. How many people are dying young, from things like, drug overdoses, suicide, and alcohol-induced liver disease? There actually is a term for it: deaths of despair. Yes, really, that is what they're called, and you can look it up. Taking away a person's hopes and dreams, can kill them long before their physical body expires. What happens when an entire population is immiserated?

The Nothing in the book wasn't a violent storm, like in the movie. It was just a slow, creeping, blind spot. Quiet. In order to make Bastian break down enough to say her name, the empress actually went to an old man in a mountain, that turned out to be the story teller, and he started the story all over again. Only instead of starting at the beginning of the Fantasia story, or even at the beginning of Bastian's story, it goes full meta and starts with YOU, opening the book and reading about Bastian. The story keeps starting over and over again until Bastian relents and realizes he can stop it by saying her new name. The end of the movie was actually only the middle of the book. In the book, you actually get to follow Bastian and all of his wishes and creations. The sequel kind of touches on it, but really I would skip any sequels, as they are all terrible and do the story no justice. Michael Ende actually didn't even like the first movie, for being "too Hollywood," but at least that one is still a good movie.

The 80s cloud effect was a very tricky but rewarding technique, basically, a water tank would be filled part way with salt water, a thin piece of plastic put on top, then filled the rest of the way with fresh-water , the plastic would be removed and the water left to settle. With the water being different densities there's actually two layers of water, paint or ink would be injected where the two layers of water meet, and it gives the effect of rolling clouds.

This movie pulled me out of my depression as a child. I was in a really dark place and fiction/film was my only escape. Then CGI started ramping up, and there was less and less practical effects, and It hurt me so much to think there wouldn't be any more. So at 12 years old, I vowed to give my life to keeping practical effects alive. It's almost 20 years later, and I'm doing it! I've been a professional in the industry for 10 years now.

One of the best parts of the book is that Gmork says everyone taken by the Nothing becomes a lie - "Who knows what use they’ll make of you? Maybe you’ll help them to persuade people to buy things they don’t need, or hate things they know nothing about, or hold beliefs that make them easy to handle, or doubt the truths that might save them.”

Artax’s death had been listed by some as one of the saddest movie deaths

His mom‘s name that he yells is Moonchild. The main thing I remember is being confused about that. And rewinding it over and over again to try to figure out what he was saying. Also the wolf thing scared me to death. To death. I had nightmares about that thing. I only just managed to rewatch the movie a few years ago and enjoy it because all I remembered was being terrified.

As an 80s child I honestly thought quick sand was going to be a big problem for me growing up 😂😂😂

Legend with Tom Cruise is another cool 80s fantasy movie. Also Fantasia is a name of a Disney movie as well as being the world's name in the book of this movie. So might have heard the name from either.

Thank you for contributing your imaginations to help perpetuate Fantasia and its Never-Ending Story. After all, that _is_ what you do here. As long as stories continue to be experienced, enjoyed, and shared to inspire more imagination, they never truly end.

Fun fact: The real Auryn pendant used in the film is currently hanging in Steven Spielberg's office.

Legend has it that The Neverending Story suggests that Atreyu's journey has happened many times before, and will probably happen again. This cycle of life and destruction and life emerging again is a neverending story.

You guys should definitely check out the movie legend with Tom cruise and Tim Curry. It's like labyrinth and the Neverending Story type movie.

This is an absolute classic. Remember this movie fondly. One of those that was always shown to the whole school last day of school before the holidays back in the 80s as a kid. Glad that young people are getting to experience these movies.

That's an old-school trick for opening jars - holding the lid under hot water for a few seconds. Most matter expands when heated, and the thin metal of the lid expands faster than the thicker glass of the jar; hence, the lid 'loosens' by becoming slightly bigger than the jar.

I had shown my husband (then boyfriend) The Neverending Story, the next day we go to the beach. Someone had made a massive hole and it had gotten covered up, the hole was deep enough I needed help out. Well he made a huge show of it, crying out "ARTAAAAAAX!" while pulling me up -- hilariously embarrassing. You should check out "Little Monsters" (1989) starring the Savage brothers (Fred & Ben) and Howie Mandel -- another movie that gave me some nightmares growing up. :) Also, but I really thought I would name my son Atreyu growing up. lol

If you think this gets eerie when the Childlike Empress starts talking to the audience, try reading the book and having her start talking about the other children reading the same book with the Auryn on the cover, which is what you're holding in your hands! I think when I got to that part as kid, it was in the middle of an actual thunderstorm and I was reading by flashlight because the lights had gone out! (Weirdly, the same thing happened while reading LotR when Frodo goes to Mt. Doom to destroy the ring, but no power outage that time.)

You should do Ridley Scott's "Legend". Iffen ya want high fantasy, elf-creature baby tom cruise (in a loin cloth), glitter - SO MUCH GLITTER - and also the GOAT Tim Curry as Darkness. I just feel like it's in the same family as this movie. :D (Also, there's two versions that are equally good; I recommend the director's cut, though it's a bit longer.)

This honestly was one of the most imaginative movies ever made....but its greatness will always be downplayed because it was originally made for kids. Which is crazy in itself because this is really heavy for a kid's film...it scared the hell out of me when I was a child.

And now we follow your story. Truly NEVERENDING.

Barret Oliver (Bastian) is now a professional photographer. The book, "A History of the Woodburytype," is his. Bastian's father was played by Gerald McRaney, who would later star in "Major Dad," among other things. Noah Hathaway turned 50 last November, and has HE ever led a life: dance instructor, multiple black belt martial artist, motorcycle racer, tattoo artist, and other acting roles, on top of all that. Somewhere in there is one heck of an an autobiography, wouldn't you think?

This movie and The Pagemaster (1994) with Macully Culkin (or however you spell his name I never figured it out XD), but these two movies were the huge factors in making me a big book kid/reader. Which turned me into a writer today. And created the backbone of who I *am* today with all the lessons I got from these movies and the books I loved as a result.

It's trippy how Bastian is reacting to the book. While you are reacting to the movie while I'm reacting to you guys and I bet someone is reacting to me and the real world lol.

In the book this is only the first half of the story, but there's this awesome transition where you're basically reading the book being written and the typeface is in a different colour. The first half is of course about the importance of fantasy and imagination, while the second half is about the dangers and risks of over-indulging in those same things.

Fun fact: At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film produced outside the United States or the Soviet Union. It's a German movie 🇩🇪

This movie came out when I was 8. It's been 38 years. I still have literally every word, every pause and every line of this movie memorized. I watched it THAT many times when I was a kid. Wore out two (TWO) beta tapes. (And beta was of better quality, so it was harder to wreck them).

I met the Child Empress actress at comic con

Aww you guys are on a great hot streak! The symbolism in this story is a lot to unpack. I'm glad you're giving these 80s fantasy flicks a try.

Fun fact: After this movie Noah Hathaway who plays Atreyu would go on to star in a 1986 film called Troll where his main character is named after a certain boy wizard thats popular today i kid you not 😂

This was one of those great movies of the 80's!! If you were a kid in the 80's... you loved this movie!!

They showed us this movie in grade school around holidays when we didn’t have a full day. It was fun, but the Artax scene traumatized me, and I was terrified of the Wolf character. I still watched it multiple times. Another movie that has quite a few practical effects that is fairly true to the book that I watched multiple times when I was little was Return to Oz.

I loved this movie as a child, heck I still love it. Can't watch it as much anymore though because - due to how much I did watch it when I was a kid - I've been forbidden from watching it when any of my family is in the house *lol* For me it's just the...idea, the belief of the imagination building up lands and creatures and beings and people that are real, somewhere, like Fantasia has just always held a very special place in my heart.....and my imagination 💖

This was my favorite movie as a little kid. I've probably seen it 100 times. I still haven't quite gotten over Artax dying.

I loved this book and movie as a child and I actually visited the Bavaria Film Studios once where all of the props and characters are exhibited. I actually rode the dragon there it was so cool haha

If you guys wanna continue in the same line of 80s Fantasy movies as Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story, you should definitely check out: The Princess Bride (1987). A pure classic!

I was born in 1980 and I will admit I cried a little at your labyrinth reaction lol and I know this is going to hit my heart too, we had a lot of imagination in the early 80s growing up and lots of media to help us get there🙌🎈✌📼

I remember seeing this for the first time. It was a time when we were more innocent and didn't have so much world exposure. This move was mind-blowing. Watching you two be so invested is both amusing and charming.

If u like these older fantasy type movies maybe try "the dark crystal" its a classic

Has anyone else fallen in love with them and their reactions and will watch a new reaction, even if you haven’t seen the movie or show that they are reacting to. My favorite reactors, hands down. There just seems to be a really similar wavelength and I love it. Keep doing what you’re doing guys

It's still so cool even at my current age. When I was a kid Atreyu was my first crush. He was the coolest because he was so brave. I'm sure you'll love Gremlins that's some fun stuff there. I'm not sure if I know any other movies like this personally, but I recommend some interesting thought movies of Monster Squad and Little Monsters

Don't ruin your Neverending Story experience by watching the sequels. lol

"We're all apart of the Neverending Story." We get to share your experiences as you are experiencing the movies.

This was my favorite movie as a kid, and it still stands as it to this day! Also artax's death traumatized me as a child lol

And that's what's fantastic about this movie. By watching (or reacting), you kept Bastian's story alive, and therefore kept The Neverending Story, never ending. :)

The Rock Biter eats like Cookie Monster. Nothing goes down, it just all falls out lol

They should have done the whole book as one film instead of just the first half. I picture it as just this grand scale fantasy film like Lord of the Rings with a runtime I would say around 145 minutes. Imagine how epic that would have been.

Highly recommend The Dark Crystal and The Witches. No reactor has done The Witches (the 1990 film, not the dreadful recent remake).

ahhh, 80s children's movies. absolutely magical and off-handedly traumatizing at the same time.

This movie had all the hallmarks of a great 80's kid movie- a lack of adult supervision, children in mortal peril, imaginary creatures who will either eat or befriend you. Artax dying had an effect on all of us. I still use the term "the Nothing" to describe depression, it's the best analogy I've ever seen.

I feel like another movie in this genre of 80’s kids dark fantasy that doesn’t get suggested enough is Time Bandits. It’s from the early 80’s so a big chunk of the gen Xers who saw all these other fantasy movies were still a little too young when Time Bandits came out and not everybody had VHS’s yet when it released to video. It was directed by Terry Gilliam and helped set the stage for these other kids fantasy movies you’ve been watching which followed.

I have to echo what some others have said and let you guys know I love watching younger people react (and positively) to my favorites from childhood! This and Labyrinth are my absolute favorites from my childhood and I could watch them everyday. I am so glad you guys appreciate the visuals and effects and enjoyed them both so much!

I watched this when it first came out in 1984, but only discovered he shouted "Moonchild" about 20 years later!

I was in 2nd grade when this movie came out. Our homeroom teacher, Miss Gains, took the whole class as a field trip to see it opening day. She even got the owner of the AMC theater to give our class a speech on, "success in life" before the movie started. Needless to say, I was memorized by the movie. As an adult, however, I wasn't sure if I could appreciate it. After all these years later and watching your review, I strangely find myself wanting to rewatch this relec of my childhood. Thanks fellas!

I actually had a timber wolf named G'mork back in the day.

This is one of my absolute favorites of all time and I can quote the whole movie. PLUS I cry every single time I watch it 💜 Thanks for a great reaction! Love your content.

For years I couldn’t remember what this movie was, but I remembered the scene where Artax died because it distressed me so much as a really little kid.

Think about it. Bastian was watching the story unfold in Fantasia, these two guys are watching Bastian (as the childlike Empress said) and we're watching them watching Bastian watching Fantasia. THAT'S the neverending story!

This was a great movie of my childhood. I have to say the dark crystal is my all time favorite. Love watching you guys reactions. Keep them coming.

Yes! Time for some CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

Your analysis is so awesome. This movie has so many layers! The following is a copy of a comment I made on another video reacting to this movie that touches on similar points as yours but focuses on them through the perspective of Bastian’s depression. I hope it adds even more context to the full extent of Bastian’s triumph by the end of the movie. “The entire story is an allegory for depression as is the main “antagonist”. When you are in the throes of depression “nothing” matters. You cannot find joy in anything so everything becomes “nothing”. Meaningless. The “nothing” as depicted in the movie is not a hurricane or storm per se; it’s a complete lack of anything. What you view as the hurricane is just an effect of the “nothing”. It is not evil, it not good, it not anything, it is just a void that sucks in everything and leaves you with a world that is empty and totally devoid of hope. Bastian lost his mother. Atreyu, Artax. The Rock Biter his friends. The Childlike Empress, her name, her entire identity. All experienced unimaginable loss. Fantasia is built on the dreams of humankind and the foundation of dreams is hope. As humankind loses sight of its dreams, loses its childlike wonder, loses its hope for a better future, Fantasia withers away and dies. I do not think it’s an accident that the movie starts with Bastian’s father scolding him about not trying out for the swimming team. I think that the swimming team is an example of a dream Bastian has given up on due to his depression over having lost his mother. I believe just as much as The Neverending Story needed Bastian to conquer the Nothing, Bastian needed the Neverending Story to conquer his depression, his very own “nothing”. This is ultimately why the symbol of The Neverending Story is the Auryn (a double ouroboros). It is not the standard ouroboros for a reason. When we feel we have lost everything we need our connection to others to remind us to continue on fighting; to bring us out of our despair. That is why when Atreyu sees Bastian when he gazes into the mirror. Atreyu is Bastian’s counterpart in Fantasia. He is the courage Bastian gave up when his mom died and the courage Bastian needs to reconnect with. In the oft maligned second movie the Emptiness is destroyed by Bastian wishing for it to be given a heart. Likewise Bastian’s “emptiness” in the first movie is destroyed by observing the courage of Atreyu. The root of courage being cour-, latin for heart. Bastian’s heart is restored by his connection to Atreyu. I hope this helps you better connect with the story on subsequent viewings. You are right that there are very metatextual elements in this movie but if you view them as stand ins for the different ways people react to depression it makes the movie a lot more profound… and even more profoundly sad. Case in point, the final scene with the Rock Biter is exceptionally difficult to watch when you realize what his speech about his hands really means. “These hands. These strong hands. What could they do?” It really stings when you realize the context. Most people think the Rock Biter has given up and resigned to being destroyed by the Nothing. But if you look at it from the overarching context of the film, the Rock Biter has already been taken over, destroyed by the “nothing”. He has given up all hope and was a husk of the strong character we saw at the start of the film. Atreyu at that point could have done nothing to save him. Only hope could and that was something that was ‘beyond the boundaries of Fantasia’. And that is just fucking sad and is why I always bawl my eyes out at that scene. Sorry for the walk of text but hope this helps make future viewings even more engaging.” Hopefully the above comment adds even more enjoyment of the movie for you. When looked at in all the context, this is not a kid’s movie. It’s an everyone movie. Everyone can get something out of it if they only open their heart to receive its message. Thanks again for your viewing and your analysis!

GMORK: “It’s the world of human fantasy.” JAMES: “Oh, and it’s dying! Yes!!!”

at the start, the clouds were made by pouring paint into water

One movie in the same 80s creature-fantasy family as this is Return to Oz. Haven't seen it mentioned yet in the comments. It's the canonical sequel to The Wizard of Oz but it's largely overlooked because it's such a different, darker movie without much of the blockbuster feel. Usually fondly remembered by us 80s kids though. Also if you're looking for another great story with a similar message to this one, about the value of the world of the imagination, try the novel 'Weaveworld' by Clive Barker. Yes, the Hellraiser author - it's a mature and often grim story, but not quite horror like some of Barker's other work.

The Neverending Story is like all the stories behind every book. Everytime a new person took the book, Fantasia is destroyed so each people/child can rebuilt it with his wishes and fantasies. So the Empress changes name everytime, so every part of the book. It's fascinating because is like the movie is explaining the mechanics behind every story and book. In the Same time, the book is teaching you to dream bigger and better, helps you to overcome grief, difficulties, challenges and depression of the real words. It's a very special idea. Its my all time favorite movie since I was a child ❤️

I always get chills as the Empress explains the concept of the story to us. Every. Single. Time.

I had forgotten about this movie. I was the family bookworm so I loved this, but didn’t get to watch it much as my brothers didn’t like it. We all watched Willow together though, which is brilliant and Flight of the Navigator was another favourite

The movie "Legend" with Tom Cruise is another to check out! Highly recommend!

Many cultures believe we only truly die when we are forgotten and that having your name spoken is eternal life. This story is very much about that theme. His moms name was Moonchild. I never knew that until subtitles came out, I could never understand him. Lol. Highly recommend Legend, it was made entirely on set.

I had the pleasure of watching this in the theatre as a child (I was 11). I love seeing the reactions of people born in the 90s and the 00's reacting to stuff I grew up with. I mean, CGI is VERY impressive nowadays, but the practical effects used in films in the 80s... it still boggles my mind how beautiful they still look to this day! And the scene with Artex and the Swamp of Sorrows... I bawled my effin' eyes out in the theatre! In fact, there was hardly a dry eye there! Still chokes me up even today. 😭 Someone did comment it below, but just in case, I'll repeat it here: Bastian's mother was named "Moonchild".

The amount of times I heard “woah” was great. If you could, I would definitely suggest reading the book. I would love for this movie to be remade with the second half of the book included. The book part of the movie ends with Bastian and the childlike empress (moonchild) are in the dark space and Bastian makes his wish. The sphinx gate in the book is terrifying, the sphinxes will stop you in your mind and ask you riddles until you die if they feel you’re unworthy

As has been mentioned, this is the first half of the original book. The second half deals with Bastians wishes and how you can loose yourself in them. It's also really great, but sadly the second half has never been adapted into a movie correctly. The sequel movies only take a few points from the book, but they are really not good.

I'll tell you what though, Gmork absolutely terrified me as a child. I saw those eyes and teeth in my nightmares for weeks after that, and more than once woke up screaming.... Also fun fact; Falkor, Gmork, and Rockbiter are all voiced by the great Alan Oppenheimer, the same VA who played the legendary role of Skeletor from He-Man! He also voiced Cringer/Battle Cat and Man at Arms in that show!

You know, the actual novel this is based on goes on from there with Bastian's adventures within the new Phantasia his wishes are building and the price he has to pay for this ability - there is an evil witch and many many more phantastical creatures, characters and places. This movie is just a shortened version of like the first quarter of the book. Please read the amazing novel by Michael Ende. Fun fact: Translated the author's last name means "end". Yes, Miachel End wrote The Neverending Story ;)

Willow would be good n princess bride.

I actually didn't see this until high school when my friend showed me. Even then, the horse scene was traumatizing lol. Love the movie though regardless. 💕

Fun Fact: The name Bastion calls out at the end of the movie is Moon Child. His mom's name was Serenity or Sarena.

This movie made me believe that other things are out there.

If you guys are interested, I highly recommend reacting to Starkid’s Nightmare Time series, if you haven’t seen it already. It really expands Hatchetfield and it’s characters in a lot of ways and I think you’d enjoy it a lot. Great vids!

DARK CRYSTAL and LEGEND. 80s fantasy at it's finest

This movie is the greatest use of metaphor in cinema. People love it when movies break the 4th wall. This movie calls out the audience explicitly!. It's brilliant!

Legend with Tim Curry and a 16 yr old Tom Cruise, has some of the best practical effects. Tim Curry who also plays the clown in the original IT, has one of the best performances in head to to prosthetics and makeup. His eyes, nails headpiece and toes all under makeup and he is truly breathtaking to see and experience. The entire movie is treat for the eyes and those who adore hero fantasy quests. 10/10

In the Wheel of Time series of books, the Aes Sedai (women who can use magic) wear a ring of a snake biting it’s own tail that symbolizes time. I was instantly reminded of AURYN from this story.

The Artex scene. Ruining childhoods since 1984.

The clouds in the beginning were shot using "cloud tanks". Just really big tanks of water with different color inks poured into them shot at high speed so that they could be slowed down for the final result.

28:51. They really did this scene well. Atreyu being shown the story from ancient paintings on the wall of what already happened. The movie as a whole is something I would watch a million times over, just to remember how good it was.

When I first watched this as a kid, Artax dying traumatized me very badly and now I cannot watch that part without sobbing uncontrollably. It just hit too close to my horse girl heart.

I really love the book. the actual story is way longer than the movie. you should read the book too

Hey, I think that the practical effects of the clouds were made by layering different liquids in a tank and forcing a current through them, giving the layered, cloudy look. I remember reading about how that effect was used in several movies, including the Will Smith movie "Independence Day". In ID4, this effect was used when the massive spaceships were appearing out of the atmosphere above the cities.

This is one of my favorites when I was a kid Falcor is my absolute favorite. I was bullied and I always wished for Falcor to show up and help me get back at my bullies lol.

The death of Artax traumatized a generation of kids.

I liked how structured the music in the film is in terms of using certain themes for distinct locations and situations, I haven't really seen it done this intricately until the Lord of the Rings movies. *The second movie is not as good but still has a semblance of the second half of the novel, and the third movie is so horrendous, it's absolutely hilarious and mortifying at the same time, it has the same tone of 90's Power Rangers basically and you just gotta see it for yourself, it's a trip and a half.*

There’s something about this movie that perfectly replicated what it’s like to read as a kid. (On that note if y’all haven’t yet, you should watch Pagemaster)

I was SUCH a bookworm and I felt SO VINDICATED by this movie! (and I'm def with you on reading for hours on end in odd positions and forgetting to eat!) I found the book in my local library and got lost in it during school hours (in a car though; no attic available). The movie is only about the first third or so of the book, but I greatly appreciate this version. (Sadly, the sequels didn't follow through well.) Jim Henson's Creature Shop is a legendary bunch of artists who did fantastic work on many 1970s and 1980s movies, including this one. Thanks for your enthusiastic reactions!

Many people I know loved the movie until they read the book. Apparently the movie has a history with its origins story book. Personally, I haven't read the book yet, but I didn't enjoy the movie until I was older.

Am I the only one who also kinda loved the second one?

I loved watching this movie as a kid! It was so nostalgic and such a fantasy land in a movie. Especially the way it’s set with the little boy reading the book and then it coming to life..

“To the Winch, Wench!” Best line of the movie.