The NeverEnding Story (film series)

The NeverEnding Story
Directed by
Based onThe Neverending Story
by Michael Ende
Produced by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
1984–1994
Running time
279 minutes
Countries
  • West Germany
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

The NeverEnding Story (German: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a West German/American-produced English language epic fantasy film series based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Michael Ende.

The original 1984 film, The NeverEnding Story, was directed and co-written by Wolfgang Petersen and was later followed by two sequels.[1]

The first film adapted the first half of the original novel, while the second half of the novel was used as the rough basis for the second film, The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter.[2]

The third film in the series, The NeverEnding Story III, has an original plot.[3]

Films

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
The NeverEnding Story July 20, 1984 (1984-07-20) Wolfgang Petersen Wolfgang Petersen and Herman Weigel Bernd Eichinger and Dieter Geissler
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter February 8, 1991 (1991-02-08) George T. Miller Karin Howard Dieter Geissler
The NeverEnding Story III April 2, 1996 (1996-04-02) Peter MacDonald Jeff Lieberman Karin Howard Heinz Bibo, Dieter Geissler, Tim Hampton, Klaus Kaehler, Harry Nap and Harold Lee Tichenor

Cast and crew

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  •  U indicates an uncredited appearance.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.

Principal cast

Main article: List of The Neverending Story characters
Character The NeverEnding Story The NeverEnding Story II:
The Next Chapter 		The NeverEnding Story III
1984 1990 1994
Bastian Balthazar Bux Barret Oliver Jonathan Brandis
J. Michael HaneyY 		Jason James Richter
Atreyu Noah Hathaway Kenny Morrison
Noah HathawayAU
Carl Conrad Coreander Thomas Hill Freddie Jones
The Childlike Empress Tami Stronach Alexandra Johnes Julie Cox
Engywook Sydney Bromley Tony Robinson
Urgl Patricia Hayes Moya Brady
Falkor the Luckdragon Alan OppenheimerV Donald ArthurV William HootkinsV
Mr. Rockbiter Sr. Dan FincherV Frederick WarderV
Gmork
Barney Bux Gerald McRaney John Wesley Shipp Kevin McNulty
Cairon Moses Gunn
Teeny Weeny Deep Roy
Night Hob Tilo Prückner
Ethan Darryl Cooksey
Todd Drum Garrett
Lucas Nicholas Gilbert
Morla Robert EastonVU
Mr. Rockbiter Jr. Colin GilderV David FormanV
Xayide Clarissa Burt
Nimbly Martin Umbach
Tri-Face Christopher Burton
Mrs. Bux Helena Michell
Nicole Baxter Melody Kay
Slip Jack Black
Jane Bux Tracey Ellis
Mrs. Rockbiter Mac McDonaldV
Bark Troll William HootkinsV
The Janitor Mark Acheson
Dog Ryan Bollman
Mookie Carole Finn
Coil Nicole Parker
Rage Adrien Dorval

Additional crew and production details

Film/Television Crew/detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer(s) Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time
The NeverEnding Story Klaus Doldinger and Giorgio Moroder Jost Vacano Jane Seitz Neue Constantin Film, Bavaria Film, and Producers Sales Organization Warner Bros. Pictures 94 minutes
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter Robert Folk David Connell Chris Blunden and Peter Hollywood CineVox Filmproduktion 90 minutes
The NeverEnding Story III Peter Wolf Robin Vidgeon Michael Bradsell and Jim Roddan Miramax Films 95 minutes

Reception

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The NeverEnding Story 81% (42 reviews)[4] 46 (10 reviews)[5]
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter 14% (7 reviews)[6] 30 (13 reviews)[7]
The NeverEnding Story III N/A (3 reviews)[8] —

References

  1. ^ Variety staff (1984-01-01). "The Neverending Story Review". Variety. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  2. ^ Maslin, Janet (February 9, 1991). "Review/Film; In Fantasia, the End May Be in Sight". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Derek Elley (December 26, 1994). "Review: "The Neverending Story III"". Variety.
  4. ^ "The NeverEnding Story". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "The NeverEnding Story Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  7. ^ "The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "The NeverEnding Story III". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 9, 2022.