The Never Ending Story

Threat and horror

The film has moments of mild scariness and threat throughout that carry the adventure along and illustrate the themes of the power of imagination, self-esteem and resourcefulness. These moments are balanced by the reassurance provided in the young lead characters prevailing against the odds, or being helped and protected by friendly, magical creatures such as the Luck Dragon. In the land of Fantasia, the brave hero Atreyu is stalked and threatened on occasion by a snarling, talking wolf sent to stop him fulfilling his quest to save the realm from 'The Nothing'. The wolf is heard growling, and seen baring his long fangs and flashing his eyes as he hides in the shadows. There is a potentially upsetting scene when Atreyu’s horse sinks slowly and then is lost in the Swamps of Sadness, as the hero cries and begs his friend not to give up. This emotional sequence is intercut with footage of the real life boy weeping as he reads this part of the story, which increases the intensity of the moment. The horse and his master are happily reunited at the end of the film, when the hero successfully completes his mission and saves the land.

Disturbing images

At one point there is very brief sight of the blackened face of a knight who has been killed by fantastical creatures, but the man’s metal helmet obscures almost all detail. Some younger children may also find the abstract images of ‘The Nothing’ (represented by swirling black thunderclouds) slightly unsettling.

Bad language is confined to one use of ‘jerk’, used by bullies who briefly torment the hero at the start of the film.

Classified Date:

26/06/1984

Version:

2D

Use:

Cinema

Distributor:

Columbia-Emi-Warner Dists Ltd

mild scary and emotional scenes

Classified Date:

06/10/2014

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Paperwork Remarks:

NEVERENDING STORY 30TH

Threat and horror

The film has moments of mild scariness and threat throughout that carry the adventure along and illustrate the themes of the power of imagination, self-esteem and resourcefulness. These moments are balanced by the reassurance provided in the young lead characters prevailing against the odds, or being helped and protected by friendly, magical creatures such as the Luck Dragon. In the land of Fantasia, the brave hero Atreyu is stalked and threatened on occasion by a snarling, talking wolf sent to stop him fulfilling his quest to save the realm from 'The Nothing'. The wolf is heard growling, and seen baring his long fangs and flashing his eyes as he hides in the shadows. There is a potentially upsetting scene when Atreyu’s horse sinks slowly and then is lost in the Swamps of Sadness, as the hero cries and begs his friend not to give up. This emotional sequence is intercut with footage of the real life boy weeping as he reads this part of the story, which increases the intensity of the moment. The horse and his master are happily reunited at the end of the film, when the hero successfully completes his mission and saves the land.

Disturbing images

At one point there is very brief sight of the blackened face of a knight who has been killed by fantastical creatures, but the man’s metal helmet obscures almost all detail. Some younger children may also find the abstract images of ‘The Nothing’ (represented by swirling black thunderclouds) slightly unsettling.

Bad language is confined to one use of ‘jerk’, used by bullies who briefly torment the hero at the start of the film.

mild scary and emotional scenes

Classified Date:

28/07/2008

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Classified Date:

01/12/2004

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

On Demand Management Ltd

Classified Date:

03/01/2002

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Classified Date:

15/10/1986

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Classified Date:

26/08/2014

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Paperwork Remarks:

Additional material NEVERENDING STORY 30TH

Classified Date:

18/06/2001

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Classified Date:

26/08/2014

Version:

2D

Use:

Physical media + VOD/Streaming

Distributor:

Warner Home Video Ltd

Paperwork Remarks:

Additional material Director's audio commentary The Neverending Story 30TH

Classified date

06/10/2014
BBFC reference

EVF012828
Language

English

Director(s)

Wolfgang Petersen

Production Year

1984

Genre(s)

Adventure, Children, Fantasy

Approx. running minutes

94m

Cast

Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley