The Never Ending Story (1984)

The Never Ending Story is a 1984 German epic fantasy film based on the novel of the same name written by Michael Ende. The film was directed and co-written by Wolfgang Petersen (his first English-language film) and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway and Tami Stronach. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film produced outside of the USA. It was then followed by two sequels: The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter and The NeverEnding Story III: Escape From Fantasia.

Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver), a quiet boy who loves to read, is accosted by bullies on his way to school. He hides in a bookstore, interrupting the grumpy bookseller, Mr. Koreander (Thomas Hill). Bastian asks about one of the books he sees, but Mr. Koreander warns him it is "not safe." Nevertheless, Bastian "borrows" the book, leaving a note promising to return it, and races towards school. He then hides in the school's attic to begin reading The Neverending Story.

The book describes the fantasy world of Fantasia which is being threatened by a force called "The Nothing," a void of darkness that consumes everything. The creatures of Fantasia have gathered to plead for help from the Childlike Empress of Fantasia, but her attendant (Moses Gunn) reveals to the assembled crowd that she has fallen deathly ill due to The Nothing. She has summoned Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), a warrior from the Plains People and a boy about Bastian's age, to help put an end to The Nothing. He is given a magical medallion called AURYN to use as a guide. As Atreyu sets off on his quest, the power behind The Nothing summons Gmork (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer), a vicious wolf-like beast, to kill Atreyu.