Books

[midori]

I love the film to bits, too, though I get why Michael Ende was so unhappy with it that he even had them remove his name from the opening credits. I also grew up with it and remember vividly how I was standing in front of the poster in the display window for the cinema somewhere in my town (not next to the actual cinema). As it was a West-German film it was actually shown at my town's cinema 7 - 8 years after it was filmed. However, as I was still in primary school my parents wouldn't let me go and I just went to the display window to stare at the poster with Bastian under the blanket and having the book in front of him whenever I got a chance.
I wish they would've put the German version on the DVD they released here as well. Even though it was filmed in English it was still a German production, plus I very much dislike what was done to the music score in the international version. I love Klaus Doldinger's score and don't get why they had to screw with it and swap some of his music for the dreadful Giorgio Moroder songs. I know people might disagree but e.g. I can barely watch the scene where the Ivory Tower is introduced in its full beauty when the Rock Biter etc arrive. Just aweful! The German dubbing is also very good... almost better than the original on Noah Hathaway's part (Atréju) but I might be biased because I grew up with the German.
Hehe, Limahl. I almost freaked when the song was randomly played on radio one day and had to tape it right away. Took me years to figure the lyrics out because without internet I couldn't look them up and my English wasn't good enough to understand it all back then.

Anway, I would really recommand you read the book one day. You'll see it's quite different from the film and even though the second film is much closer to the book (the third film was utter rubbish and seriously deserves to burn and be forgotten... Hadn't Michael Ende been dead already, it probably would've killed him) they both still don't cover the book and there's much more to it. Obviously there's also been changes made to the film e.g. the way how Atréju and Fuchur (what was he called in English? Falkor?) meet is completely different (but couldn't be done for the film as special effects weren't as developed as they are these days). Oh, and the Gmork - Atréju scene is one of my favourites in the film but again quite differently in the book and rather interesting. Oh oh, and Atréju and Artax in the swamps... Artax can actually speak in the book so that give the whole scene some kind of different intensity and twist. There's really so much more to the book so you should definitely read it! With Bastian as one of the main characters it even promotes reading. haha

For years the book was also the reason why I refused to spell "Phantasie" (Fantasy) as "Fantasie" after the spelling rule for "ph" was changed. I didn't like the look of it because of Phantásien (Fantasia) in the book.

The new spelling rules frustrated me for a while anyway because it felt like books printed with the old spelling were regarded as being less worth and it made me sad.

[Mikey]

I'm not sure which musical score I've heard, but I like the music. Some's a bit noticably '80s', but I found the score in the Swamp of Sadness quite sad... That's my favorite scene- when Atrax sinks- and in my opinion, Atrax not being able to speak may have made that scene more emotional in the film (depending on what his voice and personality would have been like otherwise) because it makes sympathy, but if he spoke, people may have seen a differet side of Atrax, and I'm not sure what that would have done to the effect of the whole thing. There's rumours that the platform that the horse was stood on wouldn't stop going down in the filming, and it drowned, but I believe that's false. But the producers only just got away with doing the swamp scene, through the context of animal rights and the fairness on the horse.

I find some of it a bit too 'American' for a German story, but I liked Atréju's voice Noah Hathaway was almost perfect in the role (I say that, yet haven't read the book, but that's my view as a non-reader), but he sort of lost his acting touch after that and went into rubbish, cheap American fantasy films and he got his hair shorter and just lost his career

I've seen some of the German-dubbed film. It was very good dubbing. I think that the first film was my favorite (I've researched the differences between it and the book in the past) and I must have seen the 2nd one AGES ago. The same with the thrid one, but I REALLY know what you mean about it. It's cringeful.

I'd like to read the book. I would definately do so if I found a copy. I might even try reading the German version.

[midori]

The song for the Swamps of Sadness is horrible in the English film version. At least compared to the music that was used in the German version. Of course that's only my opinion and I might be the only one feeling like this but I find it too harsh and not as emotional touching, nor as beautiful as the German score. (I've got the German score on CD and it's standing next to my Tokio Hotel CDs. )
From a reader's point of view I also think that Noah Hathaway was an excellent choice to portray Atréju. He definitely had the right look (even though his skin wasn't green *lol*) I also think he acted the role well, only that the German dubbing gave him some more depth with the way it was said on maybe two occasions. So not often. There's two scenes that come to my mind now. The one where he dares Gmork shouting "Ich bin Atréju!" (I am Atréju!) and when he desperately shouts at Artax in the swamps scene but that has also something to do with the German wording which I prefered to the English. Also, I have to admit that I like the German voice during all the shouting etc.
I think you've got a point about Artax... him being able to speak gave the character and relationship to Atréju a different feel in the book. Also it is really interesting to get to know Atréju better in the book... to get more insight in his background etc but that's always the case with books. Not to forget about Bastian. Because of the film most focus lies on Atréju and he is what people probably immediately associate with The Neverending Story character-wise... it's Atréju, Fuchur and the Childlike Empress as far as the book goes there's so much more about Bastian. He is the main character throughout the story, especially in the second half. Although Atréju takes up a big part in the first half of the book, Bastian is always present. He is us. This is also why I adore the book being printed in two colours.

The book is really worth a read, the film can almost not be compared to it as they had to make so many sacrifices to make it a financial success. There was too much at stake and the makers could not risk the film being a financial flop. The film is still an experience and I love it... I mean, the special effects are great for what they are, puppets and all. *yay* However, I can only stress that you read the book. You should be able to find an English copy somewhere, right? Maybe read the German original after you've read the English (if you enjoyed the book ).

[Mikey]

I might look on Amazon/eBay/Play etc. I am quite very interested now. I want to find out more about Atréju! I understand what you mean about the two colours now. And getting a German copy would help with my GCSE. I suppose I'll see which versions are on offer at the best price- maybe I'll get both!

[omgitsmollyx]

Jan 14, 2009 16:59:35 GMT 1 Mikey said:

Never?! I love the NeverEnding Story too! I admit, I've only ever seen the film, but grew up with it and recently re-discovered it and brought the DVD in London. I have a picture of Atreyu (Atreju) and Atrax stuck up in my bedroom! I also had the theme sung by Limahl on my phone for a while, but deleted it when I needed more space for Tokio Hotel I really want to read the book.

My mum's read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time...

EDIT: I was just correcting a spelling mistake, but while I was at it, I thought I might link this uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3khTntOxX-k ;D

My mum has read that too! It was in the living room once - oh wait. I'm thinking of a different book.. Same author though.. What was it.. ? Um.. A Spot Of Bother? I think.. ANYWAY, I opened it on a random page and read a bit and it was gay sex. I was like

[Mikey]

Hmm... Well my mother liked the dog book, but found it odd.

[midori]

Not all the books are printed in the two colours though. That's the one I've got and it definitely has the green and red printing and lovely illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Obviously it is also more expensive as it's hardcover etc.



When I was younger I picked up a book about a fox (I think it was called Franky the fox or something) because I gathered it would be a cute story and well... I like talking fox stories (my grandma used to tell me fox and wolf stories at bed time). However, it turned out to be rather weird and surreal. Not at all what I expected and I don't think I understood what it really was about. I finished it though. *lol*

[Mikey]

That book looks lovely. I might just get a papeback, so I don't get fussed over keeping it in good condition. I like illustrations at the begining of each chapter. The Lemony Snicket books are like that.

[kezzykaulitz]

My fav books are the morganville vampire series by rachel caine also gonna read Girl, interrupted as the film was amazing!

[neonlights]

the perks of being a wallflower <33

BEST.BOOK.EVER.

[Xx_Jecca_xX]

My fave books (other than twilight ) are (I can sense a loooong post coming on )

The House of Night Series PC and Kristin Cast
(are often compared to twilight - but really are nothing like it. They are much darker and deal with a more traditional vampire)

A Series of Unfortunate Event Lemony Snicket
(OMG, I read these when I was like 7 and fell in love and started waiting for the next book to come out... soooo sad when they finished)

Harry Potter JK Rowling
(I was a totaly HP fangirl, waiting in loine at midnight... reading the books in a day... )

A Kestral For A Knave Barry Hines
(A sweet story of a boy and his bird.. so sad in the end but I lovedd it)

Goodnight Mr Tom Michelle Magorian
(I read this a while ago and love love love it... a really sad but true to life story)

The Shopaholic Series Sophie Kinsella
(SOoooooo funny and really believable )

Anne Frank's Diary Anne Frank
(Obv not a story with a happy ending but well worth reading... I read it at quite a young age but have re-read it now I am the same age as Anne When she was writing and still love it )

Prophecy of the sisters Michelle Zink
(A dark book but was an amazing read)

Noughts and crosses Malorie Blackman
(Sooooo good... a bit like twilight in the forbidden lovers respect and deffo some links to romeo and julliet... but i loves it anyway)

My So-Called Life Joanna Nadin
(Soooooo funny and yeah, ive read it several times and still find myself laughing at it:) )

So yeah... VVV long post and ive no doubt left some of my faves off but these are what I can think of and have either sat on my night-stand or are visible on the bookshelf and Im like awwww... loved that

[turner]

Jan 10, 2010 14:24:26 GMT 1 neonlights said:

the perks of being a wallflower <33

BEST.BOOK.EVER.

I've read that. It is lovely.

[Mairi]

I'm re-reading 'ash wednesday' by ethan hawke. No end to that guys talents, it's amazing

[kezzykaulitz]

Jan 11, 2010 23:31:38 GMT 1 Xx_Jecca_xX said:

My fave books (other than twilight ) are (I can sense a loooong post coming on )

The House of Night Series PC and Kristin Cast
(are often compared to twilight - but really are nothing like it. They are much darker and deal with a more traditional vampire)

A Series of Unfortunate Event Lemony Snicket
(OMG, I read these when I was like 7 and fell in love and started waiting for the next book to come out... soooo sad when they finished)

Harry Potter JK Rowling
(I was a totaly HP fangirl, waiting in loine at midnight... reading the books in a day... )

A Kestral For A Knave Barry Hines
(A sweet story of a boy and his bird.. so sad in the end but I lovedd it)

Goodnight Mr Tom Michelle Magorian
(I read this a while ago and love love love it... a really sad but true to life story)

The Shopaholic Series Sophie Kinsella
(SOoooooo funny and really believable )

Anne Frank's Diary Anne Frank
(Obv not a story with a happy ending but well worth reading... I read it at quite a young age but have re-read it now I am the same age as Anne When she was writing and still love it )

Prophecy of the sisters Michelle Zink
(A dark book but was an amazing read)

Noughts and crosses Malorie Blackman
(Sooooo good... a bit like twilight in the forbidden lovers respect and deffo some links to romeo and julliet... but i loves it anyway)

My So-Called Life Joanna Nadin
(Soooooo funny and yeah, ive read it several times and still find myself laughing at it:) )

So yeah... VVV long post and ive no doubt left some of my faves off but these are what I can think of and have either sat on my night-stand or are visible on the bookshelf and Im like awwww... loved that

I have the house of night series not read them yet though :/

I read all apart from the last 3 of series of unfortunate events i have them all except the end one

the harry potter books dissapointed me after the film if i'm honest i only got to the prisoner of askaban:(

Goodnight Mr Tom i watched that at school in year 6 we were all crying at the end

I started Anne Frank it was good but i forgot abou it :/

Noughts and crosses in my top 3 fav books ever! So sad i haven't read the rest of the series yet though as i went 3 years not knowing it was a series XD that was the only book i ever read twice

oh and perks of being a wallflower i was gonna read that but my friend did and that week at school she was the most depressed i've ever seen her :s

[turner]

RE: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

I think it really depends on your personality and life experiences by what outcome you recieve from this book.
I found it quite enlightening and could really identify with the main character, despite him being a guy. It actually cheered me up a little, so yeah, i'd say it just gives people different things.

I'd say read it anyway, get your own opinion. You only have to read it once.