The NeverEnding Story (film series)

Last updated
The NeverEnding Story
Directed by
Based on The Neverending Story
by Michael Ende
Produced by
Production
companies
Distributed by
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.

Contents

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

FilmU.S. release dateDirector(s)Screenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The NeverEnding Story July 20, 1984 Wolfgang Petersen Wolfgang Petersen and Herman Weigel Bernd Eichinger and Dieter Geissler
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter February 8, 1991 George T. Miller Karin HowardDieter Geissler
The NeverEnding Story III April 2, 1996 Peter MacDonald Jeff Lieberman Karin HowardHeinz 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.

Principal cast

Character The NeverEnding Story The NeverEnding Story II:
The Next Chapter
The NeverEnding Story III
198419901994
Bastian Balthazar Bux Barret Oliver Jonathan Brandis
J. Michael Haney Y
Jason James Richter
Atreyu Noah Hathaway Kenny Morrison
Noah Hathaway A U
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 Oppenheimer V Donald Arthur V William Hootkins V
Mr. Rockbiter Sr.Dan Fincher V Frederick Warder V
Gmork
Barney Bux Gerald McRaney John Wesley Shipp Kevin McNulty
Cairon Moses Gunn
Teeny Weeny Deep Roy
Night Hob Tilo Prückner
EthanDarryl Cooksey
ToddDrum Garrett
LucasNicholas Gilbert
Morla Robert Easton V U
Mr. Rockbiter Jr.Colin Gilder V David Forman V
Xayide Clarissa Burt
NimblyMartin Umbach
Tri-FaceChristopher Burton
Mrs. Bux Helena Michell
Nicole Baxter Melody Kay
Slip Jack Black
Jane Bux Tracey Ellis
Mrs. Rockbiter Mac McDonald V
Bark TrollWilliam Hootkins V
The Janitor Mark Acheson
Dog Ryan Bollman
MookieCarole Finn
CoilNicole Parker
RageAdrien Dorval

Additional crew and production details

Film/TelevisionCrew/detail
Composer(s)Cinematographer(s)Editor(s)Production companiesDistributing companyRunning 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 Story81% (42 reviews) [4] 46 (10 reviews) [5]
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter14% (7 reviews) [6] 30% (13 reviews) [7]
The NeverEnding Story III25% (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.