The NeverEnding Story, the Film

[Charlotte]

Die unendliche Geschichte. The word 'unendlich' rests on an undercurrent grand/eternal, Geschichte - schichten is stacking one thing on top of another while ordering what one stacks, like schichten brickett coal we had to do as children Usually Geschichte is interpreted as 'History', Geschichte, however, has a fuller meaning, containing also 'dichte' or 'dichten', composing Poetry, perhaps associated with diction.

The "Nothing" has a good foothold in our time choking the inspirational quality of Idealism. I didn't read the book and was unaware the film existed until I happen to surf into it some years ago and so liked what I saw. I was also happy that the film was made in Bavaria, Grünwald, a forested suburb of Munich.

The last few mornings I read reviews on the film, generally found them kinder than those on National Treasure(s), still, here are a few humdingers. Mr. Dave Kehr, "Chicago Reader", writes of the film's director:

"Peterson briefly invokes the Spielbergian suburban setting, then plunges into a Wagnerian nightmare world rife with dark Teutonic images of sex and death. Despite the sophistication of the source material, the film isn't particularly successful: Peterson insists on forcing the superficial moral lesson, and the half hour removed from the film by its American distributors leaves it with a harsh, choppy rhythm. But some force and elegance remain in isolated incidents."

Wow! Wagnerian nightmare and dark Teutonic images of sex and death? I read comments by people and Mothers who have more brains in their little toe than this Gentleman. Maybe these images are in the left out half hour.

Mr. Ian Nathan of "Empire Magazine" writes:

"A rigorous enough, if rather dated, version of a best-selling German fantasy fable, whose imprecise arcana involves such vague propositions as the blight of "Nothingness" and the power of "faith". A rather hippish quality, that alludes to the possibility it might all be a dream. Kids tend to want this kind of thing to be certain of its own imagination. As Bastian (a bland Barret Oliver) reads is it into his bully-tormented mind we are journeying or into some extra-dimension ruled by juvenile royalty."

Bland and barren.

On the other hand. Mr. Peterson from the "Christian Science Monitor", "sees an "uplifting" message at the heart of "The Never Ending Story", - a message people want to hear. They are tired of the fear we have today - the fear that politicians and industries have taken control of the world away from them. People want to know their own minds and creativity are important and can make a difference."

Thomas Caldwell, "Cinema Autopsy", writes: "The Neverending Story", - "pokes along at times and lapses occasionally into dark moments and preachy philosophy, but this is still a charming, amusing and harmless film for kids."

Mr. David Sterritt, "Christian Science Monitor"

"I don't mean this is a literary film. It's a movie-movie, with some uninspired dialog and enough special effects to choke a dragon.

"But the main character is a kid with no time for TV or the video arcade. What he savors is a dusty old volume and a quiet place to read. What he gets, from a strange old bookseller, is a mysterious tome that carries a special warning."

All this we get from educated ignorance.

[Charlotte]

Been searching in vain for the film on you tube, save a trailer, all is deleted or one has to pay, meaning I have to watch my DVD. Incredibly annoying the garbage popping up during a search. Meanwhile I tested a few videos on the Bavarian Film Studios where The NeverEnding Story was filmed, all pretty boring, but these give a general picture.





Frustrated, I tried to find a sort of documentary of the river Isar which flows through Munich, its Urspung, flow, and issuing into the Danube, no such, so this was the best I came up with

[Charlotte]

As predicted, it will take a while to forge an inroad to the "Story", reminding me of a line in a book my Mother gave me on behest of my Father, after he passed on, "every time I start a chapter I'm already stuck". The old book, in German, treating of Pharaonic Egypt, surprised me for I didn't know my Father not so much as gave a hint during his Life that he was interested in ancient Egypt. In hindsight, I think that he wanted me to have a glimpse into his secretive Mind or perhaps encourage me to learn about Egypt. The more I think about the time I spent with my Father, his few words and doings, the more I realize what caliber of Man he was.

Talking about my Father is the first stuck confirming Einstein's wisdom in saying that a theory, in my case an overview of a story, "is more impressive the greater is the simplicity of its premise, the more different are the kinds of things it relates and the more extended its range of applicability". So mentioning my Father and ancient Egypt relates to the "Story" inasmuch there are two Sphinxes in the story and vintage rocks with a dash of crystals which I found high upon the Giza Plateau.

[Charlotte]

Yesterday, poised to begin watching "The Never Ending Story", henceforth NEST, to have something to write about, my remote wouldn't let me switch to DVD for which it was programmed. Called tech support, maddening, nothing worked, so a technician will come this afternoon, Sunday. How is that for TW service.

Read a few reviews on, I guess two newer versions which no one liked, reminding me of the follow up rendition of "Charlotte's Web" which was a comedy I couldn't laugh at.

Anyway, I searched a bit more this morning, the "Plot" always short, mostly no mention of my favorite Scientist "Engywook", let alone his potion brewing wife "Urgl", or the 2 Spinxes guarding the way to the Empress. Chanced upon this short video featuring scenes from the original accompanied by the melodious tune, the Singer somewhat imposed.

[Charlotte]

The Never Ending Story

It's a good morning, Mr. Bux and his son Bastian breaking their nightly fast with a slice of buttered bread and orange juice. Bastian tries to open a jar of jelly but his arms are not strong enough so his father helps. Bastian tells his dad that he again dreamed of his departed mother which his dad acknowledges, but reminds him that life goes on and they had to meet their responsibilities. Mr. Bux is not too happy concerning a conversation he had with his son's teacher, that Bastian is somewhat aloof in school and doesn't turn in his homework. It's time for Bastian to put his feet on the ground, stop daydreaming and face his problems, that his love for horses is unrealistic. Bastian lowers his head a bit and looks at his dad out of the corner of his eyes: "Unicorns, they're Unicorns", he insists, which dad promptly ignores and saddens Bastian with a quasi-question of why he loves horses when he can't even ride a real one. It's hopeless, thinks Bastian, and mumbles along to pass time, he and dad are not on the same frequency. They both go their way, dad to work and Bastian to school.

Although Bastian is big in Mind, he is small in stature and easily bullied. Three uncouth youth make his life miserable by chasing him, asking for money which he doesn't have and throw him in a dumpster. He gets out, dusts himself off, continuous to school only to be pursued again by these three boys whose parents didn't teach them right and wrong from the age of 1 year onward, like today.

Bastian runs and hides in a book shop, looks about and hears a man's voice asking what he wants. Bastian, still scared, stutters incoherently and Mr. Koreander, the owner of the store, tells him to leave, he doesn't like children, and that the penny arcade is just down the street. Here, he says, we sell small, rectangular objects called books. Bastian protests: "I like books, I have 186 of them, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Ring, Tarzan, The Last of the Mohican, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea ..." Now he has Mr. Koreander's attention. Yes, he says, but you have to become Tarzan, Crusoe, or Captain Nemo being attacked by a giant squid. But they are only stories, says Bastian, to which the shop owner replies: "That's what I mean", you read only safe books". Bastian doesn't quiet get it and asks: "What do you mean?" The phone rings, Bastian looks at the big book Mr. Koreander places on the counter, saying: "This book is not for you", and walks away.

[Charlotte]

Embossed on the cover I call the Big Book, is the well known symbol of twined snakes of gold and greyish colors swallowing their own tales. Elsewhere it is said the colors are black and white. Either combination of colors suggests duality.

AURYN

"AURYN, based on the Ouroboros, representing infinity/eternity." Wikipedia

While curious Bastian beholds AURYN with Bastian eyes, a wonderful mystical feeling takes hold of him, he must read this Book. Looking at Mr. Koreander talking on the phone but watching the boy, Bastian leaves a note promising to return the Book and leaves the shop. Mr. Koreander smiles.

Bastian returns to the school where he knows a catch-all room, a perfect place where he can, must be alone to read. The room is somewhat eerie, but the sun shines through the window marking a lighted spot toward Bastian pulls an old mattress and takes his place in the sun. He opens and enters the Book and hears the wind whistling through ancient trees and an uncanny crackling which combined noise tosses Teeny Weeny and the Night Hob about. Teeny Weeny, dressed to the 9s, is the intellectual type who pretends to know everything, is a counterpart to the Night Hob who feeds on roots to learn something. At that point, the snail of Teeny Weeny is depicted as a sort of sorry looking regular snail crawling to find a safe place to avoid falling rocks. The bat of the Night Hob hangs around sleeping, but is the transport which takes the Hob to Fantasia, if it can stay awake long enough.

It is the Rockbiter with his giant rolling drum who causes the enormous crackling and commotion. An unsightly but harmless and polite fellow, the Rockbiter asks for permission to join Teeny Weeny and the Night Hob for he has traveled all day and is hungry, upon which Teeny and the Hob lost their fear. The Rockbiter picks up a rock, sniffs on it and concludes it's a delicious lime stone with a nice bouquet of a vintage year. Having devoured it he burps which sends little rocks flying about on the Hob, Teeny, and his snail, now larger than life and healthy looking. A rock falls on its head and Teeny comforting "poor baby" makes the snail feel better. All along Teeny protects his snail like ancient Egyptology protect their crackling assertions.

[Charlotte]

The Rockbiter looks about and is delighted to see all the delicious limestones, and guesses that Teeny and the Hob are there because of the rocks. Yes, yes, says Hob, we're here because of the delicious rocks. Confused, he looks at Teeny for an answer, its why we came here, right? Whenever the Hob is clueless, he asks, as he does her: "Is he a nutcase?" No, says Teeny, he is a Rockbiter. This scares the Hob: "A ROCKBITER!!!" Apparently he knew what a Rockbiter is. Rocks fly left and right as the Biter crunches another rock and rubs his belly, yummmm, very tasty, limestone with a dash of cristal. "Where I come from in the North, we used to have exquisite gourmet rocks, but now", he laments, "now, they're all gone".

Munching on roots, the Hob says he knows how it happened. "I swear it wasn't me", the Rockbiter assures them. "I know what happened", clever Teeny says, "tell us more", means we're waiting for you to tell us what happened because neither had any idea.

In the North, "near my home there used to be a beautiful lake, then it was gone", tells the sad Rockbiter. Teeny asks if it dried up, "no, it just wasn't there anymore, not even a dried up lake, nothing was there anymore". Really, "not even a hole?", Teeny wonders. No, "a hole would be something", but there was nothing "and it got bigger and bigger, first there was no lake anymore and finally, no rocks". Teeny listens in awe, now he knows something, and these words keep the Hob jumping with worry that soon there wont be anymore rocks where they are either, and "this could be serious".

Obviously, the script writer had had 'something' in mind, as I see it anyway. The North is always the 'Head' land where strong winds blow, but also where, lets say, the Hyperion Dragons live, who preserve knowledge, but when that which is written in stone is interpreted at face value or ignored by the likes of Teeny, representing conventional history, taught to the benighted Hob, representing average folk, the life-giving and life-sustaining waters dry up. At least, the Hob, digging in the ground and chewing constantly on 'roots', is eager to learn, paying no attention to his raggedy appearance, which could also represent his tattered mind.

[Charlotte]

Teeny is intrigued by the Rockbiter's story of the lake drying up and the rocks disappearing, because in the West also a strange sort of nothingness is destroying everything, and the same thing is happening in the South, where the Night Hobs live. You mean the Nothing is not only in our part of Fantasia? No, says the Hob, "it's already everywhere". (Maybe I missed the East). Uneasy, the three survey their surroundings, the Hob sniffs and sniffs some more but can't detect something in the air, so tells his companions that the whole land might be in danger, and what to do about it?

Well, says the Rockbiter, his people requested that he travel to the Ivory Tower to ask the Empress for help. Teeny is encouraged because he and Hob are on the same mission for only the Empress can save them. Without further ado, Hob wakes up his bat and complains that nobody gives a hoot about him and his stupid bat, and Teeny gets on his snail. Rockbiter looks at the snail, what, we can't wait for a snail. Not to worry, says Teeny, it's a racing snail. I don't think we can even wait for a racing snail. To ease Rockbiter's mind, Teeny mounts his snail, gives it a pill and "tallyho", the snail goes from zero to 70 seconds in a puff of dust.

Conventional history, crawling at a snail's pace, needs an infusion of ancient wisdom and great scholars of our time, unrelenting in their Ziel to move Humanity forward to reach the Ivory Tower, where the light shines.

[Charlotte]

"Hey, it really is a racing snail", the Rockbiter picks up the handle of the proportional to his size rolling drum covered with dents and scratches, too many for one day travel as he indicated. My guess is that the drum is made of wood cause I don't think he could manage one of iron. However, he looks quiet ancient and might have acquired great strength by eating many rocks. Thing is, he cracks them first and eats only choice pieces, the rest falls to the ground left to age some more for later Rockbiters to taste. So he, coming from the North, could be history personified, preserving the most memorable events, which he stores in his drum, the minor ones, containing and yet supporting parts of the greater, remain in the background, something like junk DNA. The drum could also serve to roll over all obstacles preventing him to get to the Ivory Tower.

Before resuming their journey, the Rockbiter picks up a few more of these "yummy gourmet rock for the road", committing to memory where they had just rested, and they're on their way. The bat flies, and Teeny Weeny can't help but direct his snail to speed along on an already existing path creating so much dust as to obscure the well-trotted conventional way, or, as my Philosophy Teacher said, "if you stir up too much dust you can't see anything".

They travel onward and on a sudden hear an ominous sound accompanied by a horrific storm bending trees, ripping off branches and leafs, tossing debris far and wide devastating the landscape. Ohhh, it's the Nothing", the Rockbiter affirms, though frightened, they weather the situation, soon the landscape appears favorable once more and they travel on. Finally, the flying Night Hob spies Fantasia and for the first time since he left the trenches in the ground he is composed, and awed. I forgot Teeny's reaction, but the Rockbiter, overwhelmed by the sight, avers he never knew that Fantasia was so beautiful.

[Charlotte]

The Ivory Tower

Rockbiter, Teeny and the Night Hob behold a glowing light emanating from the ground which has split the mountain. Secured in the earth of the split mountain is a pillar which rises up high, to which are fastened three round platforms, beautifully carved ivory in layers and two rows of windows, apparently the living quarters of the inhabitants. Topping the stem secured in a beautiful tulip-like structure is a simple bowl, cup, or seed pod.

Obviously, the earthbound Rockbiter with his drum and Teeny with his Weeny snail can't make it up to the Tower, but the bat of the Hob can fly there. Unlike the excited Rockbiter and Hob, Teeny just looked at it somewhat baffled because he, following and adhering to conventional thinking and explanations, could not make sense out of what he saw, even though admittedly he was on the same mission to stop the Nothing. 'Good Luck", the Rockbiter wished his companions, and Teeny went back whence he came, Weeny stirring up the same old dust of mainstream history, not that the Fantasians cared.

Looking through a window, the Hob sees the most bizarre creatures mingling about, much more so than he has ever seen portrayed by ancient civilizations, legends and mythology. There is an elephant, skillfully painted as they do in India, stone people with deeply furrowed faces, one with a spiked crown of stone, one and one half faced people, biblically dressed women, monks, soldiers with helmets, some with feathers, humans with horns, a seal, I think, children adorned with a flower wreath, dwarfs, humans with wizard and other strange hats, to mention but a few, and indescribable hybrid creatures out of a nightmare. All of them seem to be in some sort of swoon and none of them speak. Seems an all encompassing historical account coupled with mythology and what have you, is present.

Apparently, this weird group has also come to see the Empress to heal them from their deformities. Forth steps a dignified Elder, servant of the Empress, robed, his hairstyle a Mohawk. His name is Cairon, reminiscent of Charon, the old ferryman who conveys souls across the river Styx, and the crowd just described really needs help. Michelangelo painted Charon with a Mohawk like tuft of hair and Yoda ears, to hang things together.

The anxious group gathers round Cairon who addresses them as Friends, knows they have come because the Nothing is destroying the land and to beseech the Empress for help. But he has bad news in that the Empress herself is gravely ill and he suspects a link between her illness and the Nothing. If she dies, no one can save us. There is only one chance for survival, namely, to summon a great Warrior among the Plains People who hunt the great Buffalo, the only one who can fight and defeat the Nothing. His name is Atreyu.

"Atreyu!" Bastian, in the catch all room, takes his eyes off the Book and smiles, he is captivated and reaches for a sort of old Attaché Case made of sack cloth on which is painted a fierce Indian Warrior on an equally fierce horse, ready to let fly his arrow in an act to kill a Buffalo. Naturally, the warrior sports a Mohawk. Bastian keeps reading that the Empress had already sent for a great warrior and that when he came to the main terrace at the Tower "he already carried with him the hopes of Fantasia."

[Charlotte]

The Mohawk of Cairon, titled 'Vizier of the Empress', (by me) is note worthy because it is an ancient practice. The Rosicrucians describe a similar hairdo to the Lemurians, and Herodotus mentions that in the country of Makai, Africa?, people shaved clean the sides of their head leaving the crest on top. The Greeks carved and painted stylized Mohawks on helmets, it was the practice of the Native American warrier, and today one runs into a youngster now and then with one colored red, green etc. Next time I see such a person I'll ask him why.

Cairon tells the bad news and hopeful news to his friends, the strange humans and hybrid creatures, who respond with sad and hopeful sounds. Atreyu appears and looks at the assembled group as if he knew what they were all about. Bastian, in his hiding place, is disappointed: 'its a little boy'. Troubled Cairon tells Atreyu that this is no place for children and asks him to leave. Atreyu asks why is it then that you sent for me? Looking in through a window, the Night Hob looks at the bat: is he a nutcase? Cairon tells Atreyu that he sent for the warrior Atreyu, not a child. "I'm the only Atreyu of the Plains People, but I'll be happy to go back to hunting the purple Buffalo", and turns to leave.

Cairon, still skeptical: "If you're the Atreyu we sent for would you be willing to go on a quest?" Of course, he would, but what kind of a quest is it? It is a quest to find a cure for the Empress and save our world and there is no assurance you will succeed, warns Cairon, and, "You must go alone, you must leave all your weapons behind". A clear indication to begin the Journey perilous, but Atreyu is confident and indicates his willingness to comply by laying down his bow and quiver. He must hurry for the Nothing is growing stronger every day, says Cairon, and fastens the mystical Auryn about Atreyu's neck: "He who wears Auryn is protected and guided". Bastian looks at Auryn on the Book cover and is baffled, I suppose.

[Charlotte]

The World? No wonder I like to live in Fantasia or a home in the country.



Never watched the film with so much attention, it's many nuances and spoken words are quiet meaningful, if given such.

Assembled on the stage of the Ivory Tower, the strange mythological creatures, semi humans, and us "normal" humans, sleepwalkers of today, moan and laugh at Atreyu agreeing to go on a quest. Even Cairon mocks him at first, nevertheless, he give Auryn to courageous Atreyu, 'he who wears the Auryn knows the Universe, is guided and protected'. Cairon has been on the Quest else he would not be the Minister of the Empress.

The Rockbiter, Hob, and Teeny are back in the forest, the Night Hob, genuinely wanting to learn, keeps digging to get to the root of things but is dependent on Teeny, his teacher, who keeps feeding his snail with the same old stuff, somehow see Atreyu depart. Only the Rockbiter waves: 'take care'.

Save for a small number of wild horses, the wide open fields of the Plains People are Atreyu's own as he gallops along on his white horse Artax. He rides alongside hills, stone makers resembling the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, across the desert, passes 3 pyramids, 2 the same size, one smaller hehe, through a crystal forest, and arrives at a beautiful clearing in the woods, where he sleeps beside a murmuring brook, among happy flowers and small boulders overgrown with moss. Artex gently nudges Atreyu to wake up because it's time to eat.

Traveling with Atreyu, Bastian thinks it's a "great idea", reaches for his sandwich but eats only a few bites and saves the rest for the long journey ahead. He reads that Atreyu "had searched the silver mountains, the desert of shadowed hopes,, and the crystal towers", but could not find a cure for the empress. His only hope was finding Morla, the ancient one, the wisest being in Fantasia, whose home was Shell Mountain somewhere in the deadly swamps of sadness."

What Atreyu didn't know was that the Gmork, creature if darkness, began his journey at the same time, and now lurks and snarls something fierce, green eyes glaring, at the prospect of killing Atreyu. The yes/no dilemma arises in tandem with the quest of self-discovery, according to my Phi Teacher.

[Charlotte]

The prospect that Morla, the Ancient One whose home is Shell Mountain, can help him find a cure for the Empress, encourages Atreyu to enter "the deadly swamp of sadness", within the dark journey of the Soul. Soon he and Artax wade through mud and water in the swamp where all is grey and dead. The ground under them gets deeper, they begin to sink and Artax, whose reputation is one of strength and endurance, refuses to go further. Atreyu pleads with Artax not to let sadness overcome him, that he is his friend and has to try, to no avail, fearful Artax disappears in the swamp.

Utterly dejected, Atreyu, his hands comforting his face and emotions, sits by the swamp and cries bitterly, me too, and Bastian has to stop reading because tears are running down his face. Atreyu, remembering his mission, summons what is left of his courage and walks on with hope of finding Morla. At last, he spies a third of the Shell Mountain, which rumbles and shakes at his approach. It rises out of the earth as Atreyu watches in awe and how huge it is. 'Morla the Ancient One', whispers the optimistic again Bastian.

The excitement of finding Shell Mountain energizes Atreyu, he climbs up and calls for Morla who is not pleased and shakes him off forcing him to climb a tree. Once again he calls for Morla and is shocked by her dreadful appearance, upon which Bastian screams in disbelief which Morla acknowledges with a slight turn of her head and a Morla sound, ha? Atreyu also hears the scream and turn to look whence it came. Bastian is completely baffled at the possibility that they could hear him, then keeps reading.

"Are you Morla the Ancient One", asks Atreyu, to which Morla replies in a voice as ancient and tired as she: "Not that it matters, but yes". Atreyu asks her for help, and to affirm that he is on a worthy mission he shows her Auryn and askes if she recognizes the medallion. "Well", she is a bit surprised, "we haven't seen the Auryn in a long time". Atreyu looks about and asks her if anyone else is there. "We haven't spoken to anyone in thouuuusands of years so we started talking to ourselves". Lol, happens to many of us too.

[Charlotte]

Haven't had time to continue watching the 'Story', so a few lines about Morla, the ancient turtle or tortoise.

I remember reading that North America was once called the Turtle Island, and that there was a large island of the west coast called "Turtle Island". This island on the west coast might be the same noted in the Rosicrucian Library, stating it was a remnant of Lemuria which joined the mainland with such force as to create the Sierra Nevada or Rocky Mountains. I don't remember exactly. The writer then explains in great length why certain species of the vegetable and mineral kingdom are found only in that region. Why would California slide northward, the adjacent land stable?

Legends of the turtle are deeply rooted in the Pacific northwest and Great Plains. Because of its longevity, up to 150 years, and other reasons, the turtle represented Mother Earth to American Indians.

Paul M. Smith wrote that the turtle represents the fixed Universe owing to its unchangeable life-style. A Greek legends tells of Hermes fashioning the first harp from a tortoise shell, but Hermes got in trouble which angered Apollo, who, upon hearing the beautiful music gave it to Orpheus.

In the East, a gigantic tortoise lives in the depths of the Ocean, which has one eye situated in the middle of its body. Once every 3000 it rises to the surface and turns over on its back so that it may see the sun." That may have to do with new epochs, or even worlds, as in "its turtles all the way down". Similarly, in the Aladdin series, "King of Thieves, there is a "Vanishing Island" on which stands a great Marble Fortress, home of the Golden Hand of Midas, which surfaces periodically, but never in the same place twice. And there is the old lady who says that we live on the crust of the earth which body is a turtle.

And the Grateful Dead built a Terrapin Station in San Francisco

[Charlotte]

Found a good segment of Atreyu meeting Morla, did cut but didn't paste.

Morla, who has spoken to herself for millennia, looks at Atreyu and shakes him off her back by sneezing smoke or accumulated dust out of her eyes. He picks himself up, climbs a tree and asks her if she knew that the Empress is very ill. "Not that it matters, but yes", she knows. Atreyu informs her that a terrible Nothing is sweeping the land and pleads for help. Morla's yawn exasperates Atreyu: "Don't you care?" But Morla doesn't even care if she cares, she seen and heard it all and just wants to sink back into the Earth until a New Age dawns. Again she blasts Atreyu with a mighty sneeze and innocently he asks if she has a cold, no, she is allergic to him, no matter, do you know how to save the Empress? "Not that it matters, but yes". Exasperated, Atreyu tries to intimidate Morla by saying that if she doesn't help the Nothing will just keep coming and "the both of you will die" also. Well, that would be al least something, Morla avers, but she is tired of sneezing and tells him to go away because "nothing matters".

Atreyu doesn't really believe she feels that way, if nothing mattered she would not even speak to him, and pleads again to tell him the way to the Empress, his Soul, after all he has began the journey perilous and there is no turning back, Pythagoras told him. Morla assures him : "We don't know, but you can ask the Southern Oracle", However, you can't get there "because it's 10,000 miles away", so "forget it", leaving Atreyu dispirited.

The Oracle being 2 Sphinxes, surely the latest Oracle is found in Egypt, place of the delicious limestone rocks so old as to be crystalized in spots, which the Rockbiter loved, though he didn't mention the seashells embedded therein.

[Charlotte]

To give meaning to the Oracle being 10,000 miles away would indicate going way back in time, not necessarily to Egypt, but further when gods walked with and instructed a certain cast of Men, as they say.

Like Atreyu, Bastian in his gloomy room is also disheartened at the long journey ahead. The Bell rings, school is out, ready to leave he grabs his stuff, and while watching everyone depart he changes his mind because, surely, Atreyu would quit at this point. Taking in a deep breath, he goes back to the room engulfed in lightening and thunder, a taxidermied Wolf head, the Gmork, falls of the wall and spooks him, though his warrior nature forges ahead. Questing toward the Southern Oracle, Atreyu struggles through waist high mud, and like Artax, is about to sink into to the swamp of sadness, the Gmork on his heels. Fighting to keep his head above the mud, he looks up and sees a creature flying about in a beautiful sky, it's Falkor, a Good Luck Dragon, straight from Hyperboria as the beautiful sky suggests, because that's where those Dragons live. Falkor swoops down and lifts Atreyu from the mud.

Bastian is exhausted but keeps reading that Atreyu was unconscious for many days, and when he woke up he found himself in strange surroundings, clean and wounds dressed. Pretending to be sleeping, Falkor held on to Atreyu who tried to escape from the strange Dragon. Don't worry, said Falkor, "I like children, my name is Falkor", and you are Atreyu who is on a quest, I know this because you were unconscious and talked in your sleep. Under a starry sky, Atreyu tells Falkor that he is on his way to the Southern Oracle, but he doesn't know how to get there and besides, it is too far away. Actually, says the Dragon, "it's just around the corner". You mean you already brought me 10,000 miles? No, says Falkor, "only 9891 miles as the Dragon flies. Having a good luck dragon is the only way to go on a quest, things will work out fine."

Atreyu is glad to have a friend, "you have more than one", says Falkor, and directs his attention to a warmly lit, mysterious cave, whence a women's voice was heard singing. Intrigued, Atreyu walked to the cave and met my favorite couple, Urgl and Engywook.

[Charlotte]

One of the more light-hearted episodes in Atreyu's journey is meeting Urgl and Engywook, the Gnome Couple, or type of Gnomes, largely of unknown origin. He observes a cave furnished with necessary objects for daily life made of wood and stone. Sitting at the table, Professor Engywook is absorbed drawing the Southern Oracle, his wife Urgl cooking a broth out of which she fishes a worm to taste. Apparentl, they expected Atreyu as she hastens to and fro disturbing his scientific work. Urgl insists that the boy needs one of her potions more than his scientific work, which is useful after he is well. As they argue Atreyu makes his presence known, Engywook, don't you just love their names, is delighted: ahh, he is well! Not so, retorts Urgl, not until she says he is well, and asks Atreyu if he is still in pain. Just a little but he is alright. Feisty Urgl, a doctor of Gnome tradition, tells Atreyu that "it has to hurt if its to heal" and hands him a cup of nasty smelling broth. It's her batwing broth with scales from a rancid sea serpent, she exclaims proudly, but Atreyu trusts her and drinks it.

Just where do you come from, the good Professor wants to know. I don't think there was an answer, instead, Atreyu introduced himself and said that he came to find the Southern Oracle. Have you any scientific interests, Engywook inquires for he is an expert on the Southern Oracle. Urgl mocks her husband: "It's my speciality", which he repeats intoning she doesn't know anything about his work. "My name", he says, "is Professor Engywook, have you ever heard of me?" Atreyu admits he has not. Engywook is a bit disappointed: "You don't move in scientific circles", but Atreyu came to the right place because, having studied the Oracle for a century, made him an expert on this mystery. Engywook suggests to go to his Observatory to see the first of two gates to gather information for his Book titled, "A Century of studying the Southern Oracle" by Professor Engywook, the Early Years."

[Charlotte]

Yesterday after noon, it just so happened that, without looking for, these words found me: "... the gnomes (are) earths treasurers", don't know how many folks believe in something being given at an appropriate moment, I do. Some time ago, I chanced on a fuller explanation apropos Gnomes, but have a feeling it is sub rosa.

Scruffy, Yoda eared Professor Engywook, Urgl, and Atreyu go to a contraption constructed of wood and wheels, a telescope built by Engywook, I suppose. It consists of long, colorful and flawless crystals. Engywook invites smiling Atreyu to look, seeing two huge Sphinxes, he asks: '"Is this the Southern Oracle?" No, Engywook informs him that it is the first of two Gates he must pass through before reaching the Oracle, lamenting that "most people never get that far", because their eyes remain closed until "someone who does not know his own worth tries to pass", in which case they shoot fire from their eyes pulverizing the person as happened to the knight, for the Sphinxes "can see right into your heart".

A side note, these winged Sphinxes are of Greek Mythology. Marie Bauer Hall writes:

"In Greek mythology it is related that the Sphinx was a monster of unnatural proportions and parts, possessing the head, face, and breasts of a women, the body of a lion, and the wings and claws of a bird. She resides on the mountain Citheron, the mountain of the Muses, and employed her immense strength and ferocity in terrifying the people of Thebes. She would lie in ambush, seize the travelers, and having them in her power, proposed to them perplexing riddles. These riddles and probably the answer to them, she was supposed to have received from the Muses. Id her wretched captives could not solve the riddle, she fell upon them with great cruelty and in their confusion tore them to pieces, thus supplying her daily food. The Thebans, in desperation over the terror of the Sphinx, offered their kingdom to the man who could interpret her riddle, because there was no other way of liberation."

Prince Oedipus, adopted Son of the King and Queen of Athens, "a youth of penetrating mind", were the Greeks, consulted the Oracle of Thebes, "courageously presented himself before the Sphinx and with great assurance of mind listened to her riddle ...", akin to the crazy wisdom of Engywook. The Greeks also knew the answer, the same then and now: "Know Thyself", engraved in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Where would we be without Mythology and Poetry?

Fearful of what might happen, Engywook covers his eyes, 'no no, there's not much hope, you might not make it', but Atreyu takes a deep breath, touches Auryn and approaches the Oracle. Engywook shouts: "Don't start doubting yourself, be confident", echoed by Bastian from his gloomy room, "don't doubt yourself, run Atreyu, run", both shout. Possessing Auryn, Atreyu "with great assurance of mind" courageously runs while the Sphinxes slowly open their eyes and leaps to the other side. Jubilant, Engywook jumps up and down: "He made it, he made it", and tumbles out of the basket the "Wench" as he calls Urgl, labored hard to wrench him up to his Observatory. Falkor knew he would make it and Bastian was happy too

[Charlotte]

Urgl is content that Atreyu made it and invigorates Falkor with a shot of vitamin C to carry Atreyu to the Palace of the Empress. That's not enough, her husband asserts, because now Atreyu has to go through the "Magic Mirror Gate" where he has to face his true self. Falkor remarks that that is easy for Atreyu, but Engywook, who studied these things for a century knows better: "That's what everybody thinks, kind people find that they're cruel, brave men discover that they are really cowards, confronted with their true self, most men run away screeeming".

Resuming his journey, Atreyu staggers through through a snow storm. The vague outline of a icy structure appears ahead of him in which he sees a hazy reflection of himself. Bastian becomes very uneasy and throws the Book halfway across the room: "This is going to far! What if they do know about me in Fantasia?" A frightening thought, but he is curious, picks up the book and lights a few candles to keep reading. He sees Atreyu touching the Mirror Gate to see if it's real and finds that he can walk right into the mysterious structure, and again sees Atreyu approaching the Sphinxes who know his apprehension.

"Do not be afraid", the one Sphinx speaks in a calm, otherworldly voice, "we will not harm you, we have been waiting for you a long time, Atreyu."

"Are you the Southern Oracle?"

"Yes, we are".

"Then you must know how to save Fantasia".

"Yes, we do".

"Well, what is it, I have to know".

"The Empress needs a new name".

"That's all? That's easy, I can give her any name she wants".

"No, no one in Fantasia can do it, only a human child can give her this new name".

"A child? Where can I find one?"

"You can only find one beyond the boundaries of Fantasia".

Telling, these words, Fantasia actually being what is called the "real world' in the grip of Nothingness. The Sphinxes, having held the Nothing at bay for thousands of years, waiting for a human child who can save us from the Nothing, begin to break up and urge Atreyu to hurry if he wants to save "our" world. Having been shown the next step, he calls for Falkor to take him beyond the boundaries of this world.

Friends of the Nothing, the commentators who describe the film as a superficial moral lesson, uninspired dialog and preachy philosophy, taking us into extra dimensions ruled by juvenile royalty, WTH?

[Charlotte]

Upon the Sphinx' advice Atreyu calls Falkor. While they take off into the blue yonder, Atreyu urges Falkor to hurry, but how can they find a human child? Falcor laughs: "With luck!" Atreyu enjoys the ride among clouds, over mountain ranges, valleys and lakes, but the Nothing will have no such joy and unleashes a furious storm tossing them about until Atreyu can hold on no longer and free-falls to the ground landing on a beach, noticing that he lost the Auryn.

They also lost Bastian who laments about his Mother's wonderful name. Alone in the school room, he is terrified by lightening, thunder, and the same storm hurls things about, window shutters flying open and shut, which he secures and resumes reading. He sees Atreyu on the shore calling for Falkor and walking in the sand imprinted with ill-omened paw prints toward a partially ruined Temple on a hill. Dejected, Atreyu leans against a rock which begins to move. It's the Rockbiter who thought he had big strong hands because they looked like big strong hands, to keep the Nothing at bay, to find the Empress as commissioned by his People, but by now everybody knows that only a human child can save the world. The Nothing also pulled Teeny, who in cluelessness runs back and forth as usual catering to his snail which can't pick up speed without a pill of advanced learning, and the Night Hob who still feeds on roots, but doesn't realize that he cannot learn from Teeny Weeny. Sad, the Rockbiter gives up.

Atreyu reaches the temple, the Ivory Castle of the Empress, and walks into an opening of bright light. There he sees all those who helped him on his journey: the wise Cairon, guardian of the Cairo Pyramids, who sent him on the quest in the first place, as these mountains of stone do so many of us, a little girl offering him our Globe, he sees himself riding his beloved Artax, the Sphinxes, Morla the Ancient One, and Falkor.

The lighted scene turns pitch dark and he hears a hair raising growl. It's the Gmork with evil eyes glaring, fletching his teeth ready to pounce on Atreyu. I'm scared now and have to continue tomorrow.

[Charlotte]

Atreyu and the Gmork are face to face. "If you come any closer I will rip you to shreds", threatens the Gmork.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Gmork, and whoever you are, you have the honor of being my last victim".

Unafraid, Atreyu states that he is a warrior and will not die easy, well then, fight the Nothing, suggests the Gmork, but Atreyu can't get beyond the boundary of Fantasia. Derision intones the Gmork's voice: "Fantasia has no boundaries", which perturbs Atreyu who shouts that "this is not true, you're lying".Tthe Gmork is wise:

"Foolish boy, don't you know anything about Fantasia? It is the world of human fantasy, every part, every creature is a piece of hope and dreams of Mankind, therefore, it has no boundaries."

"Why is Fantasia dying?" Atreyu needs to know.

"Because people have come to loose their hopes and forgot their dreams so the Nothing grows stronger".

"What is the Nothing?"

"It is the emptiness of this world destroying this world and I have been trying to help it".

"Why?"

"Because people who have no hope are easy to control, whoever has the control has the Poooower!"

Noticing the intelligence of the beast, Arteyu asks who he really is:

"I am the servent of the power behind the Nothing. I was sent to kill the only one who could have killed the Nothing, but I lost him in the swamps of sadness. His name is Atreyu."

Ready to fight, Atreyu pick up a primitive stone knife and during a terrible noice kills the Gmork. Bloodstained, Atreyu stumbles out of the cave where a terrifying storm sweeps him up into space where he tries to stay alive amidst flying stones of the asteroid belt. He calls for Falkor who has retrieved Auryn from the seafloor, which will guide them. There is no more land and Bastian is sad cause "that's the end of Fantasia".

Still, there is the ruined city, the Ivory Tower as yet unharmed. Bastian takes a deep breath as he watches Falkor landing on the steps, encourages Atreyu to though the lighted door which he does, and behold, there is the Empress, her demeanor calm, the Pearl of great Prize on her brow.

"Why do you look so sad?", the Empress asks.

"Because I have failed you".

"No you haven't, you brought him with you".

"Who?" Atreyu is confused.

"The Earthling Child, the one who can save the world".

"You know about the Earthling Child?"

"Of course, I knew everything!"

Atreyu is beside himself, "my horse died, I nearly drowned, I barely got away from the Nothing, only to find out what you already knew?"

"It was the only way to get in touch with a Earthling Child".

"But I didn't get in touch with an Earthling Child!"

"Yes you did, he suffered with you, he went through everything you went through, he's come here, very close, listening to every word we say".

"Where is he?"

By now, Bastian too is beside himself, he can't believe it, "he doesn't realize he already is part of "The Never Ending Story".

"What is "The Never Ending Story?"

The Tower begins cracking as the Empress explains that as Atreyu shared the Earthling's adventures with Bastian so does Humanity, that we were with him when he borrowed the Book in the shop, reading our own story of the perilous jouerney which we are living, but it's just a story for children.

[Charlotte]

Bastian listens in on the conversation of Atreyu and the Empress' warning that if the earthling child doesn't appear the World and she will disappear, a possibility if the earthling doesn't realize he has the power to stop the Nothing and "that one little boy can be so important. Bastian still can't believe that they're talking about him. Atreyu is really worried as an earthquake shakes the Ivory Tower, (and LA just now). "Maybe he doesn't know what to do", compelling panicked Bastian to asks "what do I have to do?" All he has to do is give the Empress a new name which he has already chosen, but "has to call it out". She pleads with Bastian to do what he has dreamed, but he can't, because He has "to keep his feet on the ground". Well trodden.

Again, the Empress pleads: "Call my name!" Bastian runs to the window and shouts "Moonchild", it is agreed from what I read, but the thundering storm makes it somewhat unclear. After what the Earthling and his questing nature had just experienced, Moonchild doesn't quiet fit, I think, maybe "Pearl of Great Prize" would be more informative.

The storm has ceased, all is dark. Atreyu:

Why is it so dark?"

"In the beginning it's always dark", the Empress replies while offering a shining grain of sand to the warrior, which is all that remains of her great Empire. Perhaps the grain of sand has become a star, Mr. Hall would say, therefore a New Empire, the "dawns early light" is shining brighter regardless of the Nothing all about us. All is not lost, the Empress assures Atreyu, his quest was not in vain, he can wish for whatever he wants, and according to his wishes Fantasia can be either magnificent or base. Be careful what you think, Professor Engywook informed him earlier, because every thought effects the Universe, and his wife Urgl added "every prayer too".

Having completed his transformational journey, happy Bastian's flies over glens and hills, sees the Rockbiter, Teeny Weeny, and the Night Hob walking along as if the Nothing never was, and his first wish is to get even with the bullies. He had many more adventures, "but that's another story".

Writing this simple commentary, methought I gleaned the Mind of Michael Ende, the author of the Story. He was born in Garmish Partenkirchen, having worked there I know it well, lived in the artistic quarter in Munich, Schwabing, having lived there I know it well, lol. He traveled extensively, also to Italy and Japan. He wrote on cultural problems and spiritual wisdom, was familiar with Schiller, was drawn to the Poet Novalis, who also influenced Hermann Hesse, studied acting and was involved in the German premiere of Jean Cocteau's Orpheus, among many other activities, testifying to his love with welch Geistes Kinder he enjoyed companionship.

Garmish, as it is called for short



and Schwabing, though here it doesn't show, the Bohemia of Munich, the English Garden, surfing, Elizabeth Market, Chinese Tower and the Biergarten where everyone mingles because Bier does not discriminate.