THE NEVERENDING STORY is a children’s fantasy film, based on the book by Michael Ende, about a lonely boy who becomes a hero inside a magical storybook land of adventure.

Threat

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.