The NeverEnding Story (Die unendliche Geschichte)

Good morning, Bastian.

I had another dream, Dad, about Mom.

I understand, son.

But we have to get on with things, right?

Bastian, we each have responsibilities.

We can't let Mom's death...

...be an excuse for not getting the job done, right?

Yes.

Son, it's time you and I had a talk.

I got a call from your math teacher yesterday.

She says that you were...

...drawing horses in your math book.

Unicorns. They were unicorns.

What?

Nothing.

She also says you don't do your homework on time.

I'm very disappointed you didn't even try out for the swimming team.

As to those riding lessons you wanted...

You say you love horses but you're afraid to get on a real one.

You're old enough to get your head down out of the clouds and...

...and keep both feet on the ground.

Okay.

Stop daydreaming. Start facing your problems. Okay?

There, I think we've had a nice talk.

We should have more.

Have a good day, son. Don't be late for school again.

But, yesterday I wasn't.

Hey, it's the weirdo.

Weirdo, you got any cash for us today?

Let's get him!

You can't get away.

You're dead, chicken!

We'll get you!

-Where's your money? -I don't have any!

No money? Mamma's boy is holding out.

If you ain't got money, you go in the garbage.

Maybe the chicken can lay an egg in there.

Who said you could get out of the garbage?

Get back in there.

Not again.

Not again!

Where are you going, wimp?

-He went that way. -Which way?

Get out of here! I don't like kids.

Are you still here? Didn't you hear me?

You're hiding, aren't you?

The video arcade is down the street.

Here we just sell small rectangular objects. They're called books.

They require effort and make no beeps.

On your way.

I know books. I have 186 of them at home.

Comic books.

No, I've read Treasure Island...

...The Last of the Mohicans, Wizard of Oz...

...Lord of the Rings, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Tarzan.

Who are you running away from?

Some kids from school.

Why?

They threw me in the garbage.

Why not punch them in the nose?

I don't know.

What's that book about?

Oh, this is something special.

Well, what is it?

Look.

Your books are safe.

While you're reading them ...

...you get to become Tarzan or Robinson Crusoe.

But that's what I like about them.

But afterwards you get to be a little boy again.

What do you mean?

Listen.

Have you ever been...

...Captain Nemo...

...trapped inside your submarine while the giant squid is attacking you?

Yes.

Weren't you afraid you couldn't escape?

But it's only a story.

That's what I'm talking about.

The ones you read...

...are safe.

And that one isn't?

Don't worry about it.

But you just said it was--

Forget about it.

This book is not for you.

Koreander's.

What can I do for you?

They run maybe 300, 370...

It will take me a couple of a weeks.

Math test. Oh, no!

"It was midnight in the Howling Forest.

"The wind whistled through the tops of the ancient trees.

"Suddenly, something enormous...

"...crashed and rumbled through the eerie woods."

What's that?

Excuse me...

...but would it be all right if I joined you this evening?

You see, I've been traveling all day.

Now I see why you picked this camp.

A delicious looking limestone rock!

Nice bouquet.

Must be a real vintage year.

Yes, you're right.

Those delicious rocks are the reason we've camped here.

-Is he a nutcase? -No, he's a Rock Biter.

A Rock Biter!

-Sorry. -Poor baby.

Pardon me.

That was limestone, with a dash of quartz.

Very tasty.

Where I come from in the North, we us to have exquisite gourmet rocks.

Only now...

...now...

...they're all gone.

I know how it happened.

I swear it wasn't me.

I think I know what it was. Tell us more.

Near my home, there used to be a beautiful lake...

...but then...

...then it was gone.

Did the lake dry up?

No. It just wasn't there anymore.

Nothing was there anymore. Not even a dried-up lake.

A hole?

A hole would be something. No, it was Nothing.

And it got bigger and bigger.

First, there was no lake anymore.

And then, finally, no rocks.

If he keeps stuffing his face like that, soon there won't be any rocks here either.

Night Hob, this could be serious!

Rock Biter...

...what you told us is also happening where I live in the West.

A strange sort of Nothing is destroying everything.

Yes. We Night Hobs live in the South and it's there, too.

So, it's not just in our part of Fantasia?

Maybe, it's already everywhere.

Maybe our whole land is in danger.

What can we do?

My people are sending me to the Ivory Tower, to the Empress, for help.

We are on the same--

We are on the same mission. After all, if the Empress can't save us...

...who could?

Then why are we all just sitting here...

...instead of taking off for the Ivory Tower?

What are we waiting for?

Yes. Let's go now.

Wake up!

Come on, old girl.

We can't just hang around here.

Wake up! Ready for takeoff.

Oh, stupid bat!

We can't wait for a snail. Can I carry you?

Don't worry. It's a racing snail.

But we can't even wait for a racing snail.

It really is a racing snail.

Nobody gives a hoot about me and my stupid bat.

Maybe I'll take a few of these yummy gourmet rocks, for the road...

The Nothing!

Look!

There it is!

The heart of Fantasia!

I never knew it was that beautiful.

Stay awake!

I told you to stay awake.

The home of the Empress.

She's our only hope.

Friends, I know why you are all here.

The Nothing...

...is destroying our world.

I also know that you...

...have come to beseech...

...the Empress for help.

But I have terrible news.

The Empress herself has become deathly ill.

There seems to be a mysterious link between her illness and the Nothing.

She's dying.

So, she cannot save us.

But there just might be one chance.

The Plains People who hunt the purple buffalo...

...have among them a great warrior.

He alone has a chance to fight the Nothing and save us.

He is our only hope.

His name is Atreyu.

Atreyu.

"The Empress had already sent for the great warrior.

"When he finally appeared on the terrace of the Ivory Tower...

"...he carried with him the hopes of all Fantasia."

A little boy!

I'm sorry, but this is not the time nor place for children.

You must leave.

If you don't want me here, you shouldn't have sent for me.

Is he a nutcase?

It was not you we sent for. We wanted Atreyu.

I am Atreyu.

Not Atreyu the Child.

Atreyu the Warrior.

I am the only Atreyu of the Plains People.

But I'll be happy to go back to hunting the purple buffalo.

Wait!