The Neverending Story Movie Analysis

“Everybody knows,” she said with a smile, “that heroes are not to be believed. They all tend to exaggerate their achievements.” (The Neverending Story, page 99) It is no exaggeration that The Neverending Story by Michael Ende is a classic. In fact, this timeless tale has become so iconic that throughout the years adaptations have been made, with various versions created to satisfy fans. One adaptation in particular includes READ magazine’s play adapted by David S. Craig with illustrations by David Ho. The differences can be noticeable by simply observing the characters and style of both the book and play, and yet, the overall story remains the same.
It may be strange to suggest that the characters are different, and yet, it is true. In the

novel The Neverending Story, it is majorly impressed upon the reader that Bastian has a personal journey of sorts, going from denying that he was an unpopular chubby boy and making careless decisions in Fantastica to proving that he become as wise as Solomon and heroic like a knight in shining armor. Though the play does make some effort to suggest this (Scene 2, Narrator 1), “As Bastian walks to school, three bullies approach him. Bastian picks up his pace, but the bullies chase him.” (Scene 2, Narrator 2), “Bastian runs around a corner and ducks into a bookstore. He shuts the door and watches as the bullies run past.” it stands no chance once it is compared to the original, as the novel mentions again and again Bastian’s mentality and insecurity him as a person. For instance, “They threw me into a garbage cane and tied the lid on. I yelled for two hours before somebody heard me.’ ‘Hmm,’ Mr. Coreander concluded, ‘you’re a scaredy-cat too.’ Bastian hung his head. ‘And probably a hopeless grind? Best in the class, teacher’s pet? Is that it?’ ‘No,’ said Bastian, still looking down. ‘I was put back last year.’ ‘Good Lord!’ cried Mr. Coreander. ‘A failure all along the line.” (Page 4) This continues, “In that moment Bastian made a profound discovery. You wish for some-thing, you’ve wanted it for years, and you’re sure you want it, as long as you know you can’t have it. But if all at once it looks as though your wish might come true, you suddenly find yourself wishing you had never wished for any such thing.” (Page 80) Here, Bastian copes with the idea of bravery and once he is presented with the opportunity, he finds it frightening. Unlike the play, the book uses this bit of character development and extends it into something more.

Soon, Bastian competes in tournaments, he leads quests, teaches territories their histories, and even creates entirely new species. Still, Bastian denies his past, especially when one of his best friends, Atreyu, asks about his appearance. “You were fat and pale and you were wearing different clothes.’ Bastian smiled. ‘Fat and pale?’ he asked incredulously. ‘Are you sure it was me?” (Page 105) Yet, the play mentions none of this transformation. Also, the play neglects to mention the importance of major characters! In the book, Falkor, a luckdragon, is also one of Bastian’s most trusted friends, and yet, he is barely mentioned in the play! Together, Falkor joins Atreyu and Bastian in their adventures, whether it is as Bastian faces off against Xayide, “Just the three of you?’ ‘Yes,’ said Bastian. ‘That is, if Atreyu and Falkor agree to come with me. If not, I’ll go alone.’ The traveling companions looked at him with admiration,” or when both Atreyu and Falkor that attempt to convince Bastian that he may be in danger. Falkor, along with Atreyu, is there for Bastian throughout it all. In the play however, Falkor has two brief lines that he exchanges with Atreyu; and it is hardly considered a meeting when Bastian is introduced to both Falkor and

Atreyu in the last few lines of the play. In addition, Urgl and Engywook play larger roles in the novel than the play adaptation of The Neverending Story. As a matter of fact, in the book, Engywook and Atreyu have a serious conversation regarding Uyulala concerning the many gates Atreyu will have to cross and the proper behavior he will have to adopt. Though, when Engywook and Urgl make their brief appearance, Atreyu abruptly leaves as Engywook cries out, “Wait! You haven’t heard my instructions on proper gate procedure!” (Scene 7) These observations in mind, clearly the play adaptation of The Neverending Story could not possess certain characters’ details.
Not only does the play alter the characters’ actions, but both the book’s and play’s styles are different too. The way that the story is told has been changed, as is the custom of any play adaptation, so it must become several pages less. Scripts are supposed to be short and filled with brief but detailed notes. However, as playwrights attempt to compress a novel into a tale ready for stage, elements are going to be left out. (PowerPoint Slide) Obviously, this happens with the play skipping over several parts while entirely rewriting a new ending! For example, in the novel, after Atreyu returns from his quest, the Childlike Empress journeys to meet the Old Man of Wandering Mountain as she awaits for Bastian. Once she does meet the man known for his book and memory of Fantastica, they have an intense discussion during what seems like the end-of-the-world. “Do you really trust everything to a human?’ ‘I do.’ But then she added more softly: ‘Or have you a better idea?’ After a long silence the Old Man’s dark voice said: ‘No.” (Page 79) Again, as mentioned before, Bastian succeeds, gives the Childlike Empress a new name, and even gets to explore Fantastica himself. Whereas this is only the middle of the story, the play ties the tale together as soon as Bastian declares her new name, Moon Child. He momentarily meets the marvelous Moon Child, with the play never once stating what the Empress’s latest title is! After Bastian is given the opportunity to bring back his fictional friends, the Empress sends him off. “Now I have a wish for you, Bastian. Take this grain of sand back to your world. It is all that remains of my old Fantastica. Take it home with you, and come back and visit us often.” (Scene 11) Since the pace of the novel and the play are unalike, it would also affect the way information is presented. The novel of The Neverending Story has pages upon pages of dialogue and practically every character’s backstory in order to convey its message. By contrast, the play does not have the freedom to do this and instead declares information. For instance, in the novel when Atreyu meets Morla, and almost any other character, they are deep in a discussion before any information of use may appear. However, due to concerns that include time and a dragging plotline, the playwright, David S. Craig, edits the material. “It was me, Atreyu, keeper of the Auryn. I bring important news. The Childlike Empress is sick.” (Scene 6) In one line, Atreyu announces his name and his goal. In addition to a dissimilar pace and attention to detail, it would seem, once the novel and play are assessed, that the novel contains darker elements. Although there are numerous examples proving this, the one that stands out is the death of Artax. In fact, the reader feels the pain as Artax cries out, “…I can’t stand the sadness anymore. I want to die!” (Page 24) This entire scene may be considered edgy, especially since the play skims over this part and does not include Artax’s plead for death. The play consist of Bastian merely hopping up for he was not expecting the plot twist and then deciding he must read more. “Bastian goes back to the pile of mats and opens up the book. He begins to read again.” (Scene 5, Narrator 2) Whereas the novel states, “Bastian was sobbing. He couldn’t help it. His eyes filled with tears and he couldn’t go on reading. He had to take out his handkerchief and blow his nose before he could go on.” (Pages 24 and 25)
If the two of the forms of The Neverending Story are different as an apple is to an orange, what makes it the two alike? Why then would the play even share the same title as the novel? Perhaps this is because the plot, the overall story, is the same. Bastian still must realize that part of his destiny is to choose a name for the Empress, thus leading Fantastica to safety. Bastian still chooses reading as a form of escape. “And have you ever cried real tears because a story has come to an end?” (Scene 2, Bookseller) “Here was just what he dreamed of, what he had longed for ever since the passion for books had taken hold of him: A story that never ended! The book of books!” (Page 5) Despite the odds, there are still friends along the way. Atreyu meets Falkor. Uyulala gives Atreyu advice. Atreyu realizes how much he appreciates Artax and grants Artax his final wish: for Atreyu to leave before he witnesses Artax’s death. “Will you grant my last wish?’ the little horse asked.” (Page 24) “I don’t want you to see me at the end. Please. Turn away.” (Scene 5, Artax) Engywook and Urgl, as mentioned previously, even make an appearance and attempt to advice Atreyu. Besides, no matter what, whether it is the play or the book, The Neverending Story is a perfect example of the hero’s journey. Atreyu is summoned. He meets Cairon, who then advises him. Atreyu has allies that he calls upon and has many obstacles in his path. Atreyu meets Gmork and realizes that he must beat the Nothing, the ‘Shadow’, and soon the heroes return home. (PowerPoint Slide) There is still a protagonist with humble beginnings, as the reader first observes Bastian navigate life as normal before he stumbles upon the book. In the end, it is still the same satisfying story with similar morals: reading is the key to adventure. “Every real story is a Neverending Story.” (Page 176)
True, adaptations alter the original. The fans can become outraged as characters change and the style of the tale, the way it has been told, is modified. This happens in every parody, film adaptation, television series, or even play adaptation. However, when David S. Craig adapts Michael Ende’s The Neverending Story, he keeps the plot and still well represents the overall story. The audience is as mollified as they would be when it is decided that J.J. Abrams’ newest Star Wars’ movie, The Force Awakens, is as delightful as George Lucas’s original Star Wars Trilogy. Sometimes, even if the product is not the same as the original, it can still do it justice. As The Neverending Story would put it (Page 177), “But that’s another story and shall be told another time.”