Tyler Hynes is a Canadian actor.
87-413: There are many characters in the 1979 novel The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and its film adaptations . Bastian Balthazar Bux is described as a lonely boy, about 10 or 12 years old, who is raised by his father and still mourning the sudden death of his mother (she died of an unspecified illness). He is considered a dreamer, who is shunned by other children due to his immense imagination. During
174-448: A Chinese dragon but whereas on the cover of the book, Dan Craig illustrated Falkor as lion -like; in the 1984 film adaptation of the novel, Falkor is dog -like with white fur, pearly white scales that glitter pink, ruby -colored eyes, and is pleased by affectionate scratchings behind his ear. Luckdragons possess neither immense physical strength nor great magical talents, though they can exhale blue fire. Their only distinctive ability
261-711: A bat . He was sent by his race to see the Childlike Empress at the Ivory Tower during the Nothing crisis. In the 1995 cartoon series, the Nighthob is voiced by Adrian Truss. Blubb is a will-o'-the-wisp (German: Irrlicht ) sent by his race to see the Childlike Empress at the Ivory Tower during the Nothing crisis. In the cartoon series, Blubb is voiced by John McGrath. The Southern Oracle (German: Das Südliche Orakel ), also known as Uyulala ( Uyulála ),
348-702: A Canadian tour of The Who's rock opera Tommy , playing the role of 10-year-old Tommy. He followed this up with his first feature film, Little Men , starring Mariel Hemingway. He portrayed Atreyu in 13 episodes of the TV series Tales from the Neverending Story and The Chosen One in the 24-episode run of Peter Benchley's Amazon . Tyler was nominated "Fan Favourite" at Canada's Gemini Awards at age 15. He later starred in Tagged: The Jonathan Wamback Story . This article about
435-552: A Fantastican or a human depending upon the world. Atreyu finally meets Gmork in Spook City, where he is chained, and Atreyu employs the name Nobody to hide his identity in shame of his failure to complete his quest. Gmork confesses that he has been hunting a boy sent on a quest by the Childlike Empress to find her a new name, but lost him early on. He then met the Princess of Darkness, Gaya, who upon hearing of his mission to help
522-401: A better understanding and share stories of their adventures with each other. Coreander is portrayed by Thomas Hill in the first film, and was the only actor who reprised his role in the second film; in the third film, he is played by Freddie Jones . In the cartoon series, Coreander is voiced by Chris Wiggins . In the 2001 television series, Tales from the Neverending Story , he functions in
609-400: A cure before he fades away. It was noted that Falkor was forbidden to take part in a great Race because his exceptional speed and luck would be too unfair to the other competitors. Bavaria Film Studios retains a "side view Falkor" which tourists can climb and ride. The prop is the last remaining version of Falkor from the original film and was used for blue-screen side angle shots. Gmork is
696-413: A different person. Deluded by the witch Xayide, Bastian moves to the Ivory Tower and tries to have himself proclaimed Emperor. The ceremony is interrupted by Atreyu, who is nearly killed by Bastian. Eventually, Bastian realizes that he is beginning to lose himself, and starts a desperate quest for his one true desire. In the end, he forgets his name. With the help of Falkor and Atreyu, he manages to return to
783-573: A double role as a wizard in Fantasia wherein he is called "the Curiosity". The Childlike Empress (German: Die Kindliche Kaiserin ) is the monarch of Fantasia, who resides in the capitol called the Ivory Tower (German: der Elfenbeinturm ) in the heart of the realm. Although she is nominally the ruler of Fantasia, she rarely interacts with the outside world. Should she die, Fantasia and all Fantasians would cease to exist. The amulet known as AURYN
870-466: A friendly sophisticated being from Fantasia. He gives advice to people when they have lost hope in many things they set out to do whether in a quest for what they seek or in some cases people and beings have given up altogether and lost faith. Mostly during the Nothings destruction of Fantasia, he helps Atreyu along the way of his quest to stop The Nothing. Falkor's attitude purely comes from his heart, it
957-605: A glass door on which the name Uyulala is inscribed, to find the Oracle much as she is described in the novel. In The Neverending Story cartoon series, the Southern Oracle is depicted as two sphinxes facing each other and are voiced by Ellen-Ray Hennessy . The Neverending Story The Neverending Story ( German : Die unendliche Geschichte ) is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende , published in 1979. The first English translation, by Ralph Manheim ,
SECTION 10
#17327976866931044-671: A series of films based on the book. From 2003 to 2004, the German publishing house AVAinternational published six novels of different authors in a series called Legends of Fantastica , each using parts of the original plot and characters to compose an entirely new storyline: The world première of the stage production took place in 2012 in Brisbane , Australia , by the Harvest Rain Theatre Company . In Germany, The Neverending Story has been variously adapted to
1131-565: A stage play, ballet and opera, which premiered both at Trier and at Weimar Nationaltheater on 10 April 2004, and was subsequently staged at Linz Landestheater on 11 December. The scores to both the opera and the ballet versions were composed by Siegfried Matthus . The opera libretto was by Anton Perry. In Canada, the novel was adapted to stage for the Stratford Festival for the 2019 season adapted by David S. Craig with original music by Hawksley Workman . The 1995 animated series
1218-520: A visit to an antique bookstore, he steals a curious-looking book titled The Neverending Story , and upon reading it finds himself drawn into the story. Halfway through the book, Bastian becomes a character in The Neverending Story , in a world called Fantastica (also called "Fantasia" in the films). As the story progresses, Bastian slowly loses his memories of the real world as his wishes carry him throughout Fantastica and change him into
1305-408: Is a Tiny Man ( Winzling ) riding a racing snail ( Rennschnecke ). He was sent by his race to see the Childlike Empress at the Ivory Tower during the Nothing crisis. In the film, he is ultimately called Teeny Weeny and portrayed by Deep Roy . In the cartoon series, Gluckuk and his racing snail are voiced by John Stocker . Vooshvazool (German: Wúschwusul ) is a Nighthob ( Nachtalb ) who rides on
1392-523: Is a giant turtle who lives in the Swamps of Sadness: as the oldest living Fantastican, she has grown indifferent to the fate of Fantastica and her own survival. Reluctantly, she informs Atreyu that the Empress needs a new name and points Atreyu to the Southern Oracle. In the book and film, Morla has an allergy to youth (Atreyu) and sneezes violently in his presence. The film's version also knows nothing about
1479-414: Is a mysterious all-knowing oracle guarded by three magical gates. She is depicted as a disembodied female voice who speaks in rhymed speech and otherwise sings ceaselessly to maintain her existence. To speak with Uyulala, one must pass through the three gates: Once past, Atreyu learns the reason why the Childlike Empress is ill and what he must find in order to restore her health. Uyulala is then quiet and
1566-521: Is her emblem, and those who wear it are her representatives. As explained by Morla the Aged One, her lifetime is not measured in years, but by names, which only the imagination of a human child can give her. When she begins to need a new name, she begins to fade away, causing the Nothing to appear in Fantasia. She sends Atreyu on the Great Quest, which brings Bastian to Fantasia, and Bastian gives her
1653-433: Is incredible luck in everything they do, as shown when Falkor locates and rescues his companion after being lost in a violent, blinding storm. Luckdragons never stop drawing air and heat through their scales, which makes eating unnecessary and makes submersion in water deadly to them. Luckdragons are capable of sleeping while flying and prefer to occupy as much open space as possible. Falkor is wise, optimistic, dignified, and
1740-570: Is mentioned to Xayide, by the Great Turtle (Morla), that Bastian is not the only chosen one. The identity of the other child remains unclear throughout the remainder of the series, until Bastian is tricked upon rereading a chapter (after Xayide had caused her own demise by reading from the book) by his classmate Fallon, with whom he had started to bond. Thus, he finds out that Fallon is the other "Chosen One". Bastian has been portrayed by five different actors: Atreyu (German spelling: Atréju )
1827-429: Is proven that his openness to making friends means a lot to everyone he encounters, into which Falkor in return treasures every friendship he has. Falkor only makes enemies of those who threaten his friends or Fantasia. The only thing in Fantasia known to have been hostile to Falkor is Gmork. He does not like to be alone, preferring close company with friends he knows will not betray his open heart. He watches and shelters
SECTION 20
#17327976866931914-435: Is the hero Gmork has sought, the wolf laughs and succumbs to death. When approached, Gmork's body instinctively seizes Atreyu's leg in his jaws, preventing him from escaping The Nothing. Meanwhile, Falkor retrieves AURYN from the sea and arrives in time to save Atreyu from the rapid approach of The Nothing. Falkor and Atreyu go to the Childlike Empress, who assures them they have brought her rescuer to her; Bastian suspects that
2001-508: Is the protagonist of the mysterious book that Bastian reads. He is a young green-skinned warrior from the Grassy Plain. His parents were killed by a Purple Buffalo soon after he was born, and his entire village raised him; wherefore his name means "son of all" in his native language. He is summoned by the Childlike Empress to save the land of Fantasia by finding a cure for her illness and given AURYN , an amulet that makes whoever wears it
2088-540: Is to be capable of love and to give love to others. After much searching, and having lost his final pre-Fantastican memory (his name and knowledge of himself), Bastian is unable to find the Water of Life with which to leave Fantastica with his memories. After an attack by the Shlamoofs he is rescued by Atreyu. Of his own volition, Bastian lays down AURYN at his friend's feet, and Atreyu and Falkor enter AURYN with him, where
2175-526: The first film , and his appearance in the third film differs drastically from the novel. He possesses the Great Book which can seemingly write the future on its own accord. He dwells in a hidden crystal cave where he can see outside events using a magic mirror. He is visited by the Childlike Empress and her guard Big Head, who remain with him until the end of the Nasty crisis. In this film, he grovels before
2262-546: The 1984 film tends to be better-known among English-speaking audiences. Early reviews of the English-language edition included positive reviews in Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews , the latter calling The Neverending Story an "appealing, delicately wrought, engrossing adventure—for children of all ages". A less positive review in gaming magazine White Dwarf took issue with the appearance of
2349-603: The 1984 film The Neverending Story , the character of Atreyu is played by Noah Hathaway . His skin is ultimately not olive green as described in the novel; though it was attempted to do this through makeup, it never made it to the final production. As such, his people were ultimately called the Plains People instead of Greenskins. The character returns in The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter , played by Kenny Morrison . In
2436-424: The 1995 animated show The Neverending Story , Atreyu (voiced by Dominic Zamprogna ) has a younger sister named Saiya (voiced by Ashley Taylor Tickell) and his outward appearance has been patterned after Noah Hathaway from the first film, although this version has green skin like his novel version. In the 2001 Hallmark Channel mini-series , Tales from the Neverending Story , he is portrayed by Tyler Hynes and
2523-415: The Childlike Empress' herald . During the quest to find a cure, he meets Falkor the luckdragon, who becomes his steed after the death of his horse Artax. Bastian, reading Atreyu's story in the real world, experiences everything Atreyu does; this proves Fantasia's solution and the Empress' cure, in bringing Bastian to Fantasia to give the Empress a new name. Atreyu plays a prominent role in the second half of
2610-409: The Empress and sees it as an honor that the monarch would visit him. Pyornkrachzark (German: Pjörnrachzarck ) is a Rockbiter (German: Felsenbeißer , also spelled Felsenbeisser ), a large creature made of stone. The Rockbiter species are named due to their diet of rocks and earth-based materials. The Rockbiter seen in the film particularly has a liking for limestone. In the novel and the first film,
2697-413: The Empress is ill, and has chosen a boy warrior named Atreyu to find a cure. Upon finding Atreyu, Cairon gives him AURYN: a powerful amulet that protects him from all harm. At the advice of the giant turtle Morla the Aged One, Atreyu sets off in search of an invisible oracle known as Uyulala, who may know the Empress's cure. In reaching her, he is aided by a luckdragon named Falkor , whom he rescues from
List of The Neverending Story characters - Misplaced Pages Continue
2784-489: The Empress means him, but cannot bring himself to believe it. When Bastian refuses to speak the new name, to prompt him into fulfilling his role as savior, the Empress herself locates the Old Man of Wandering Mountain, who possesses a book also entitled The Neverending Story , which the Empress demands he read aloud. As he begins, Bastian is amazed to find the book he is reading is repeating itself, beginning once again whenever
2871-477: The Empress reaches the Old Man — only this time, the story begins with Bastian's meeting with Coreander, his theft of the book, and all his actions in the attic. Realizing that the story will repeat itself forever without his intervention, Bastian names the Empress "Moon Child", and appears with her in Fantastica, where he restores its existence through his own imagination. The Empress has also given him AURYN, on
2958-622: The Many. The original name Fuchur is derived from the Japanese Fukuryū ( 福竜/福龍 , "Luck-Dragon") . It was changed in the English translation because the pronunciation of the original name is similar to the English f-word when Americans try to pronounce it. Personality-wise, Falkor is optimistic, friendly, dignified, helpful, and wise, trying to help Bastian remember to "never give up and good luck will find you". Falkor appears much like
3045-549: The Minroud Mine, shattering these crystals not only removes the Empress's memory of the subject depicted, but erases them from Fantasia itself. After Bastian drives Xayide out of the Mine before she can shatter the Empress's memory of him, he restores the Empress's memories by telling her of his own memories of Fantasia. In the 2001 television series Tales from the Neverending Story , the Empress, again depicted with dark hair,
3132-416: The Nothing, chained Gmork with an unbreakable chain and leapt into the Nothing, leaving him to starve. Gmork explains to Atreyu the nature of the Nothing, and that a Fantastican who enters it, must become a lie in the human world. Eventually, Gmork reveals the name of the boy he is pursuing, and Atreyu reveals his identity, which causes Gmork to laugh until he finally succumbs to starvation. As Atreyu approaches
3219-515: The Riddle Gate, also known as the Sphinxes, from his telescope on a hilltop overlooking the first gate. In the book, Urgl removes poison from Atreyu and Engywook instructs him about the three gates that lead to the Southern Oracle. This scene is portrayed in the 1984 film . In the first film, Engywook is played by Sydney Bromley and Urgl is played by Patricia Hayes . In the third film of
3306-484: The Rockbiter appears early among the messengers sent to see the Childlike Empress at the Ivory Tower during the Nothing crisis. In the first film, he ultimately reappears, encountered by Atreyu. He has lost faith in himself after failing to save his travelling companions from the Nothing, and advises Atreyu to flee. Near the end of the film, he and his two traveling companions wave at Bastian as he flies by on Falkor. In
3393-504: The Southern Oracle with its three gates is silently destroyed by the Nothing. Passing through the first two gates causes Atreyu to first lose all fear, and then all memory of himself. This allows him to open the No-Key Gate, where Bastian's voice keeps Atreyu from wandering. The film version of the Southern Oracle shares the generalities, but the first gate judges whether the person attempting to pass through it "feels his own worth"; if
3480-606: The United Kingdom. The series was released on DVD in 2001. On 1 September 2016, a Google Doodle created by Google artist Sophie Diao commemorated the first publication of the work, on the 37th anniversary. Ocean Software released a text adventure in 1985 for the ZX Spectrum , Amstrad CPC , Commodore 64 , and Atari 8-bit computers . A video game based on the second film was released in 1990 by Merimpex Ltd under their Linel label and re-released by System 4 for
3567-472: The Wandering Mountain, which can be found only by chance or fate. The Old Man appears in the story when the Childlike Empress is forced to use drastic measures to make Bastian fulfill his part in the story. As she approaches his mountain, the Old Man tries to dissuade her from entering to the point of insulting her. On her request, the Old Man reads from his chronicle (starting with Bastian entering
List of The Neverending Story characters - Misplaced Pages Continue
3654-485: The Water of Life demands to know Bastian's name, and if Bastian has finished all the stories he began in his journey, which he has not. Only after Atreyu gives Bastian's name and promises to complete all the stories for him does the Water of Life allow Bastian to return to the human world, along with some of the mystical waters. After drinking the Water of Life, Bastian returns to his original form, and feels comfortable and happy with it. He returns to his father, where he tells
3741-568: The ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. The Ende-inspired video game AURYN Quest was released in 2002. Tyler Hynes Hynes was born in Toronto , Ontario , but later grew up on a 24-hectare (59-acre) ranch outside Ottawa . He began acting professionally at the age of eight. Hynes got his professional start at the age of eight during a 72-performance run of the musical stage production of A Christmas Carol as Tiny Tim, followed by
3828-484: The absence of their son and the further effects of the Nasties, who are in possession of the book and Auryn , but the family is reunited at the end of the film. Rockbiter also sings a rather corrupt version of Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf . In the cartoon series, Mr. and Mrs. Rockbiter are voiced by Harvey Atkin and Jayne Eastwood while Rockbiter Junior is voiced by Lisa Yamanaka . Gluckuk (German: Ückück )
3915-434: The back of which he finds the inscription "Do What You Wish". For each wish, Bastian loses a memory of his life as a human. Unaware of this at first, Bastian goes through Fantastica, having adventures and telling stories, while losing his memories. In spite of the warnings of Atreyu and Bastian's other friends, Bastian uses AURYN to create creatures and dangers for himself to conquer, which causes some negative side effects for
4002-420: The book and hides in his school's attic, where he begins to read. The story Bastian reads is set in the magical land of Fantastica, a place of wonder ruled by the benevolent and mysterious Childlike Empress . A great delegation has come to the Empress to seek her help against a formless entity called "The Nothing". The delegates are shocked when the Empress's physician, a centaur named Cairon, informs them that
4089-522: The book from Bastian. At the end of the series, he is assumed to be shot with an arrow by Atreyu. But his fate remains unclear. Grograman (German: Graógramán ), also known as The Many Colored Death (German: Der Bunte Tod ), is the guardian of Goab, the Desert of Colors, which exists in a symbiosis with Perilin the Night Forest. He appears in the form of a huge lion , who changes colors to suit
4176-511: The book, but occasionally containing elements of them. Tales from the Neverending Story , a one-season-only TV series that is loosely based on Ende's novel, was produced in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, through December 2000 to August 2002 and distributed by Muse Entertainment, airing on HBO in 2002. It was aired as four two-hour television movies in the US and as a TV series of 13 one-hour episodes in
4263-399: The bookstore). As he reads, all events happen again and as they happen again, he writes them down again beginning a vicious circle of eternal repetition which drives Bastian into calling out the Empress' new name. It is told in the book (Atreyu says it) that the Old Man is from the same nature of the Childlike Empress (whatever this nature is, nobody knows and is never explained) because He is
4350-414: The borders of Fantastica, Atreyu is flung from Falkor's back in a confrontation with the four Wind Giants and loses AURYN in the sea. Atreyu lands in the ruins of Spook City, the home of various creatures of darkness. Wandering the dangerous city, Atreyu finds the werewolf Gmork , chained and near death, who tells him that all the residents of the city have leapt voluntarily into The Nothing. There, thanks to
4437-519: The case. The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter , directed by George T. Miller and starring Jonathan Brandis and Kenny Morrison , was released in 1990. It used plot elements primarily from the second half of Ende's novel, but told a new tale. Ende has dismissed both the 1984 film and its 1990 sequel as "gigantic melodrama made of kitsch and commerce, plush and plastic". The NeverEnding Story III , directed by Peter MacDonald and starring Jason James Richter , Melody Kay and Jack Black ,
SECTION 50
#17327976866934524-531: The character's people are called the Woodland People. He is shown to have a romantic relationship with a young aviator called "Fly Girl", and to be something of a village innocent. Carl Conrad Coreander (German spelling: Karl Konrad Koreander ) is a cantankerous bookseller; Bastian finds and steals the Neverending Story from his store. The novel states that Mr. Coreander is one of the few humans who has been to Fantasia and returned. He and Bastian come to
4611-436: The color of sand under his feet and changes all life around him into sand. Grograman turns into an obsidian statue at night to allow the growth of Perilin. Grograman is the first creature Bastian meets upon his arrival in Fantastica. Bastian is protected from the effect of Grograman's death aura by Auryn and is thus the first living being ever to make friends with him. Grograman is the first one who teaches Bastian something of
4698-638: The creation of The Neverending Story and has been translated into Japanese but not English. Also unavailable in English is Aber das ist eine andere Geschichte – Das große Michael Ende Lesebuch (English: But that is Another Story: The Big Michael Ende Reader ), which contains the previously unpublished chapter "Bastian erlernt die Zauberkunst" (English: "Bastian learns the art of magic"). A survey conducted by German filmmaker Ulli Pfau found that The Neverending Story appeals particularly to readers aged 18–35. It remains most successful in Germany and Japan, while
4785-415: The cure for the Childlike Empress' condition. In Tales from the Neverending Story , a hero must pass through the Riddle Gate, which tests his confidence in himself. He must then answer a riddle and pass through a mirror that displays the necessary thing he needs. In the case of Atreyu, he lands in a library owned by the wizard nicknamed "the Curiosity" who teaches him to read. Thereafter, he passes through
4872-405: The dead wolf, the carcass grabs Atreyu in its jaws, which, ironically, prevents Atreyu from succumbing to the overpowering urge exerted by the Nothing to throw himself into it. He is freed from Gmork's grip by Falkor, who escapes with him to the Ivory Tower. In the film, Gmork almost manages to kill Atreyu in the Swamps of Sadness, but Atreyu is saved by Falkor. Their meeting in Spook City occurs in
4959-421: The destruction of the Ivory Tower. Bastian then enters "The City of Old Emperors", inhabited by human beings who came to Fantastica earlier but could not find their way out, eking out a meaningless existence there. Ultimately, a repentant Bastian is reduced to two memories: that of his father, and of his own name. After more adventures, Bastian must give up the memory of his father to discover that his strongest wish
5046-417: The events taking place in Fantastica. The illustrations by Roswitha Quadflieg that begin each chapter are drawn in both colors to illustrate how the two worlds intertwine. It was initially only printed as a hardcover , not paperback , because Ende wanted the book to look as much as possible like the book that Bastian steals from Mr. Coreander in the story. The English version, translated by Ralph Manheim ,
5133-464: The film as well, where Gmork attacks Atreyu, impaling himself on an improvised stone knife held by the young warrior. In the cartoon series, Gmork has a werewolf -like appearance and is voiced by Don Francks . In the Hallmark mini-series Tales from the Neverending Story , Gmork is a shapeshifter in the service of Xayide. He also has the ability to travel between worlds. In fact at the beginning of
5220-460: The film), and features characters who look markedly different from how they are described in the book (most notably Bastian, who is very self-conscious about his weight in the book, but is depicted as slender in the film). Ende, who was reportedly "revolted" by the film, requested they halt production or change the film's name, as he felt it had ultimately and drastically deviated from his novel; when they did neither, he sued them and subsequently lost
5307-469: The films, her hair is dark, rather than white, and in the first film, she is dressed like a bride . In the 1995 cartoon series, the Childlike Empress has golden hair, wears a green gown, and is voiced by Lisa Yamanaka . The episode "Missing Memories" reveals that the Empress is essentially the equivalent of the Fisher King to Fantasia; when Xayide finds crystals representing the Empress's memories in
SECTION 60
#17327976866935394-423: The full tale of his adventures, and thus his father is restored from his grief. Afterward, Bastian confesses to Coreander about stealing his book and losing it, but Coreander denies ever owning such a book. He reveals he has also been to Fantastica, that the book has likely moved into the hands of someone else and that Bastian—like he did—will eventually show people the many ways to Fantastica. The Neverending Story
5481-462: The human world with the capability of loving, and brings the Water of Life to his father, curing him of his melancholy. Bastian and Coreander exchange tales of their adventures in Fantastica, and Coreander reveals that a person can return to Fantastica as many times as they can think of new names for the benevolent Childlike Empress. In the Hallmark mini-series Tales from the Neverending Story , it
5568-500: The illness of the Empress but sends Atreyu directly to the Southern Oracle. Robert Easton voiced her character in the 1984 film. In the cartoon series, Morla is voiced by Pam Hyatt . In the TV series Tales from the Neverending Story , Morla is voiced by Robert Jadah. The Old Man of Wandering Mountain (German: Der Alte vom Wandernden Berge ) is an elderly chronicler (German: Chronist ) whose chronicle contains all events in Fantastica. He lives alone in an egg-shaped home on top of
5655-406: The injured, as he did Atreyu after rescuing him from the Swamps of Sadness. In the first film, Falkor is voiced by Alan Oppenheimer . In the second, by an uncredited Donald Arthur. Finally, he is portrayed by Gord Robertson and voiced by William Hootkins . In the cartoon series, Falkor is voiced by Howard Jerome. "To Save Falkor" sees him become sick due to Bastian's cold, forcing Bastian to find
5742-492: The irresistible pull of the destructive phenomenon, the Fantasticans are becoming lies in the human world. The wolf also reveals that he is a servant of the force behind The Nothing and was sent to prevent the Empress's chosen hero from saving her. Gmork then reveals that when the princess of the city discovered his treachery against the Empress, she imprisoned him and left him to starve to death. When Atreyu announces that he
5829-732: The name of Moon Child, which restores Fantasia. The Empress' description is that of an indescribably beautiful young girl, appearing no older than ten, yet much older than the oldest Fantasians. Her hair is snow-white, as is her gown, and her eyes are the color of gold, earning her the title Golden-Eyed Commander of Wishes. The role was portrayed by Tami Stronach in Wolfgang Petersen 's 1984 adaptation , by Alexandra Johnes in The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) and by Julie Cox (apparently as an adolescent) in The NeverEnding Story III (1994). In
5916-461: The nature of Fantastica and he gives Bastian his magic sword Sikanda. One night, Bastian is called away. He promises to return but is ultimately unable to keep his promise. In the animated series, Grograman (voiced by Gary Krawford) is a fire lion who burns down Perilin to protect Fantastica from being overrun by its roots and branches. He is later captured by Xayide and freed by Bastian. Morla , also known as The Ancient One (German: Die Uralte ),
6003-560: The novel repeat each other" in that Bastian becomes a hero but then in the second half he "acts not even as an antihero but as a false hero of the fairy tale" and the characters of Bastian and Atreyu can also be seen as mirror halves. Helmut Gronemann's Fantastica—the Realm of the Unconscious explores the novel from a Jungian point of view, identifying archetypes and symbols in the story. Additionally, some religious groups have analyzed
6090-498: The novel, as Bastian travels Fantasia far and wide as its savior. They quickly become friends, but as Bastian continues to use AURYN, he becomes arrogant and gradually loses his memories. When Bastian has lost even his name, Atreyu and Falkor offer favorable testimony to the powers in AURYN, who allow Bastian's return to the human world. With their friendship restored, Atreyu promises to finish the stories Bastian has begun in Fantasia. In
6177-566: The opposite of Her in everything (the Empress herself says). Indeed, he is an unfriendly, grim, ugly, old man who lives lonely, far from everywhere, in an eternal wandering abode that can only be found by chance; while she's a nice, sweet, beautiful, young girl who lives surrounded by a court in a tower located at the very center of Fantastica, that can be found by desire; plus, he writes everything about Fantastica but doesn't care for anything at all, while she cares for all of Fantastica but doesn't write at all. The Old Man ultimately does not appear in
6264-408: The others and return home, their house rebuilt. In the 1995 cartoon series, Engywook and Urgl are voiced by Wayne Robson and Barbara Byrne. Falkor (German: Fuchur ) is a companion of Atreyu and Bastian. He is the only Luck Dragon (German: Glücksdrache ) to appear, although five others are mentioned in passing. He helps Atreyu find a cure for the Empress after escaping the web of Ygramul
6351-415: The person is doubtful of its ability to pass through safely, the two Sphinxes incinerate the visitor. The second gate is a mirror-like the novel's description, located in a snowy wilderness and there is ultimately no third gate. The Oracle itself is ultimately two blue glowing Sphinxes like the yellow sphinxes at the first gate and speaks in prose. As with the novel, the Oracle crumbles and dies after revealing
6438-537: The physical book, writing that "despite plush production the artwork is grotty, while the promised 'shimmering copper-coloured silk' binding looks like plain red cloth to me. A good buy, though, unless you suffer from red/green colour blindness". In subsequent years the text of The Neverending Story has been analyzed from several different viewpoints. In The Rhetoric of Character in Children's Literature , literary critic Maria Nikolajeva states that "the two parts of
6525-413: The rest of Fantastica, such as the rampage of the dragon "Smerg" and the birth of the Shlamoofs, winged insane clown creatures. After being abetted by the wicked sorceress Xayide, and with the mysterious absence of the Childlike Empress, Bastian decides to take over Fantastica as emperor. During his coronation ceremony he is stopped by Atreyu, whom Bastian grievously wounds in a battle so fierce it results in
6612-437: The second and third films, Rockbiter's wife appears in the third film and his son appears in the second and third. Rockbiter Junior is the same size as a human and is rather gluttonous and playful. He is sent to Earth during a wish overload caused by Bastian, Falkor, Bark Troll, Engywook, and Urgl; whereupon he is saved from falling to his death by Falkor and they are reunited with Bastian. Rockbiter and his wife nearly split due to
6699-511: The series he causes the death of Bastian's mother, under the appearance of red-eyed Groenendael (a variety of a Belgian Shepherd ). Later on, he assumes the identity of Mr. Blank, a substitute teacher in Bastian's school. When in Fantasia, Gmork mostly takes on the form of a human with canine features. His role also changes from more menacing at the beginning to that of more comical underling, after being punished by Xayide for his inability to steal
6786-473: The series, Engywook (played by Tony Robinson ) and Urgl (played by Moya Brady ) have moved to a forest and still argue continuously. The house is stepped on by Bastian during his return trip to Fantasia, although it is then completely destroyed by the Nasties. The two go with Bastian, Falkor, and Bark Troll to find the Empress for help, but are stranded on Earth and arrive in Alaska , where they mail themselves to
6873-431: The servant of the power behind the Nothing. He is a werewolf (German: Werwolf ) and his appearance in the book is that of a large, wolf -like creature with night-black fur and capable of human speech; but the film gives him blue-black fur and luminous green cat -like eyes, as well as more fangs than an ordinary wolf would have. He, and other dual-natured creatures like him, are able to travel between worlds, changing into
6960-430: The shapeshifting creature Ygramul the Many . By Uyulala, he is told the only thing that can save the Empress is a new name given to her by a human, who can only be found beyond Fantastica's borders. Through reading the story, Bastian becomes increasingly disturbed by hints that the characters are somehow aware that he is reading their adventures, being able to hear or even see him at points. As Falkor and Atreyu search for
7047-403: The text for occult messages and imagery. The NeverEnding Story was the first film adaptation of the novel. It was released in 1984, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Barret Oliver as Bastian, Noah Hathaway as Atreyu, and Tami Stronach as the Childlike Empress. It covers only the first half of the book, ending at the point where Bastian enters Fantastica (renamed "Fantasia" in
7134-424: Was first published under the title Die unendliche Geschichte in 1979 by West German publisher Thienemann Verlag. It was number one on West Germany's highly respected Der Spiegel bestseller list for 113 weeks, and remained on the list for 332 weeks. The original edition was printed using red and green text: red writing to represent the story lines which take place in the human world, and green writing to represent
7221-424: Was played by Audrey Gardiner. Engywook (German: Engywuck ) and his wife Urgl are a quarrelsome pair of gnomes who live close to the Southern Oracle. Engywook is a research scientist who has studied the Southern Oracle and her three gates for most of his life but has never entered any. His wife Urgl often gets in his way while brewing potions in a large cauldron for healing wounded people. Engywook can observe
7308-405: Was produced by Canadian animation studio Nelvana, under the title of The Neverending Story: The Animated Adventures of Bastian Balthazar Bux . The animated series ran for two years, and had a total of twenty-six episodes. Director duties were split between Marc Boreal and Mike Fallows. Each episode focused on Bastian's further adventures in Fantastica, largely different from his further adventures in
7395-435: Was published in 1983. It was later adapted into a film series . The book centres on a boy, Bastian Balthazar Bux , an overweight and imaginative child who is neglected by his father after the death of Bastian's mother. While escaping from some bullies, Bastian bursts into the antiquarian book store of Carl Conrad Coreander , where he finds his interest held by a book called The Neverending Story . Unable to resist, he steals
7482-470: Was published simultaneously in the United Kingdom and United States in 1983. Several other English-language editions have since been published, with a variety of covers and lettering styles. As of 2010, The Neverending Story has been translated into 36 languages, and sold more than eight million copies worldwide. In 1998 Der Niemandsgarten (English: The No Man's Garden ) was published. This anthology of Michael Ende's unpublished works includes insight on
7569-456: Was released in 1994 in Germany. This film was primarily based only upon the characters from Ende's book but had an original story. The film was lambasted by film critics for its poor and laughable dialogue and special effects and was a box-office bomb . In addition, the US release went straight to video and received a limited theatrical run in 1996. In March 2024, Michael Ende Productions, in association with See-Saw Films , announced plans for
#692307