Brad Kern — Interwoven Destinies and Transformative Journeys: Unpacking the Hero’s Journey and Narrative Complexity in “The NeverEnding Story”
Wanted to take a deeper look at one of my all-time favorite movies and how it so uniquely handles the hero’s journey and intertwines so many different story telling concepts.
The concept of the Hero’s Journey has long been a narrative staple, popularized by mythologist Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.” In this structural framework, the hero undergoes various stages such as the “Call to Adventure,” “Meeting with the Mentor,” and the “Return,” navigating trials and transformations along the way. However, Wolfgang Petersen’s 1984 film adaptation of Michael Ende’s novel “The NeverEnding Story” takes this archetypal storyline and adds another intriguing layer: breaking the fourth wall. This combination creates a unique storytelling experience, transcending the boundaries of fantasy and reality.
The Hero’s Journey in Fantasia
The primary story arc of “The NeverEnding Story” centers around Atreyu, a young warrior from the fantastical world of Fantasia. Atreyu is tasked with finding a cure for the ailing Childlike Empress, thereby saving their world from being consumed by a dark void called “The Nothing.” Throughout his quest, Atreyu experiences classic stages of the Hero’s Journey:
- Call to Adventure: Atreyu is chosen by the Childlike Empress.
- Meeting with the Mentor: Atreyu consults the ancient, wise turtle Morla.
- Trials and Challenges: From battling Gmork to crossing the treacherous Swamps of Sadness, Atreyu faces numerous obstacles.
- Transformation: Atreyu evolves mentally and emotionally, gaining self-awareness and courage.
- Return: Although he initially fails, his journey enables the eventual healing of Fantasia.
The Depth of Atreyu’s Heroic Journey
Atreyu’s journey in “The NeverEnding Story” embodies the classical elements of the Hero’s Journey but also incorporates a sense of vulnerability and innocence that makes his character uniquely compelling. Unlike the infallible archetypical heroes of myth, Atreyu experiences moments of self-doubt and emotional anguish. This is evident when he loses his beloved horse Artax in the Swamps of Sadness, an emotional low point that tests his resolve. The Swamp effectively serves as the “Belly of the Whale” in his Hero’s Journey, a moment of death and rebirth where he must confront his deepest fears and emerge stronger. The loss of Artax becomes a catalyst for his internal transformation, setting the stage for his confrontation with greater evils and ultimately leading him to the wisdom needed to complete his quest.
Atreyu’s encounters with various fantastical creatures and wise beings serve as both trials and enlightening experiences, contributing to the “Road of Trials” and “Meeting with the Mentor” stages of his journey. From the cynicism of Morla the ancient turtle to the lethal cunning of Gmork, the wolf-like servant of The Nothing, each character tests Atreyu’s resilience and wits in different ways. Morla’s apathy and Gmork’s malevolence are not just physical obstacles but philosophical challenges to the core ideals that Atreyu holds dear. Overcoming these trials serves not just as plot progression but as a thematic declaration that hope and courage can combat nihilism and despair.
The ultimate twist in Atreyu’s journey lies in his realization that his quest is incomplete without Bastian’s involvement. When he reaches the stage of “Apotheosis” or divine understanding, he learns that his story and Bastian’s are intrinsically linked — that the power to save Fantasia extends beyond the boundaries of his own world. This twist introduces a fascinating meta-layer to his Hero’s Journey, suggesting that the journey itself is a collaborative narrative shaped by both the hero and the observer. Atreyu’s acceptance of his limitations and his courage in facing them head-on make him a relatable and inspiring hero, one whose journey transcends the traditional framework and challenges our perceptions of what heroism can be.
The Unconventional Hero’s Journey of Bastian
Bastian’s Hero’s Journey in “The NeverEnding Story” presents an innovative take on this classic narrative structure. Initially, he is reluctant to face the real-world challenges that plague him, such as the loss of his mother and bullying at school. The bookshop where he discovers the magical tome serves as the “Ordinary World,” and stealing the book to read it in solitude becomes his “Call to Adventure.” His sanctuary in the school attic is his initial “Threshold,” the boundary between the familiar world and the unknown. At first, he views himself as a passive spectator to Atreyu’s exploits, but as the story unfolds, he realizes that he too has an active role to play in saving Fantasia.
As Bastian reads, he undergoes his own series of trials and tests, albeit emotional and psychological rather than physical. Each time Atreyu faces a hardship, Bastian is forced to confront his own fears and insecurities. The further Atreyu goes in his quest, the more Bastian realizes that he too needs courage, hope, and wisdom — qualities he witnesses and admires in Atreyu. This emotional synergy between the two characters is perhaps most evident when Atreyu loses Artax; Bastian feels the despair keenly, relating it to his own loss and grief. This moment is Bastian’s “Belly of the Whale,” where he dives deep into his own emotions, much like Atreyu, but within the context of his reality.
Finally, Bastian’s “Atonement with the Father” and “Return” stages are beautifully intertwined with the climax of Atreyu’s journey. His acceptance that he must shout out a new name for the Childlike Empress to save Fantasia becomes his ultimate act of courage, symbolizing his own emotional and personal growth. When he eventually enters Fantasia to engage directly with the characters he’s been reading about, it signifies the completion of his transformation — a boy initially afraid to face his reality becomes an empowered individual capable of changing not just a fantastical world, but also his own. His return to the real world is enriched with new wisdom, courage, and a sense of agency, making him a hero in both Fantasia and his own life.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
The film does not merely follow Atreyu’s journey but parallels it with that of Bastian, a young boy reading Atreyu’s tale in a book he stole from a bookstore. Initially, Bastian is just a reader engrossed in a fantasy story. However, as events unfold, he starts to realize that his actions — such as shouting a new name for the Childlike Empress — have a direct impact on Fantasia.
In a pivotal moment, the characters in Fantasia even acknowledge Bastian’s existence, blurring the lines between reader and story, spectator and participant. This effectively “breaks the fourth wall,” a dramatic technique typically used to remind the audience that they are watching a performance. In this case, it serves to engage the viewer in the narrative, creating a meta-narrative that operates on multiple levels of awareness.
The Integral Role of Supporting Characters in the Hero’s Journey
In “The NeverEnding Story,” supporting characters such as Falkor, Morla, Engywook, Urgl, and even the Rock Biter significantly contribute to the protagonists’ journeys. Each offers unique qualities that aid in the self-discovery and transformation of both Atreyu and Bastian. Falkor the luckdragon embodies hope and optimism, uplifting Atreyu in moments of despair and offering the gift of speed and agility in their travels. His unwavering loyalty serves as a beacon of hope, which is essential for any hero on a formidable quest.
Among the more poignant and memorable of these supporting figures is the Rock Biter, a massive, stone-eating creature from a distant corner of Fantasia. Though he doesn’t guide Atreyu directly, his role is profoundly symbolic. His despair over being unable to save his friends from The Nothing gives Atreyu — and the audience — a vivid understanding of the stakes at hand. In a way, the Rock Biter represents the vulnerability of Fantasia itself, embodying the sorrow and helplessness that comes from facing an incomprehensible loss. Similarly, other characters like Morla the Aged One and the gnome couple Engywook and Urgl provide wisdom and guidance, but also represent the varied responses to Fantasia’s dire condition — apathy, curiosity, and urgency, respectively.
Meanwhile, in Bastian’s world, the crotchety bookstore owner Mr. Koreander serves as an unlikely mentor figure. He introduces Bastian to the fantastical world that will challenge and transform him. Even the bullies who harass Bastian play a vital but unintended role, driving him to seek escape in a world like Fantasia and inadvertently pushing him towards his own Hero’s Journey. The ensemble of supporting characters not only enriches the narrative landscape but also amplifies the internal and external struggles of our heroes. They serve as guideposts, reflections, and sometimes, warnings, deepening the complexity of both Atreyu and Bastian’s transformative journeys.
Synergy of Two Techniques
“The NeverEnding Story” artfully combines these two elements — Hero’s Journey and breaking the fourth wall — to create a story that is both classical and groundbreaking. Atreyu’s Hero’s Journey serves to engage the audience in a timeless tale of growth and triumph. However, by breaking the fourth wall, the film takes the engagement a step further, challenging the audience to recognize their own role as not just passive consumers, but as active participants in storytelling.
By involving Bastian — and by extension, the audience — in the outcome, the film suggests that we too are capable of heroism, even if it’s as simple as turning a page or choosing to believe. The message is potent: stories are not just escapism but participatory events that can inspire real-world action and transformation.
Comedic Relief in a World on the Brink
“The NeverEnding Story” is primarily a fantasy adventure drama, but it also makes strategic use of comedic relief to lighten the narrative’s often dark and intense mood. As Atreyu and Bastian face insurmountable challenges, moments of humor provide necessary pauses in the tension, allowing viewers to emotionally regroup before the next big adventure or revelation. Characters like Falkor, the luckdragon, bring levity to the story through their wit and lighthearted demeanor. Falkor’s timely interventions not only propel the plot forward but also bring a smile to the face of both the characters and the audience.
One of the most striking examples of comedic relief comes in the form of Engywook and Urgl, the gnome-like scientists who live near the Southern Oracle. Engywook’s obsessive focus on studying the Oracle’s trials and Urgl’s equally obsessive devotion to brewing remedies provide a hilarious counterpoint to Atreyu’s grave quest. Their banter and peculiar personalities create an atmosphere of levity that contrasts sharply with the dire state of Fantasia. Yet, even in their comedic roles, these characters offer valuable wisdom and aid to Atreyu, thus fulfilling a dual purpose in the narrative.
The use of comedy in “The NeverEnding Story” serves multiple functions — it’s not just there to elicit laughs. It’s intricately woven into the fabric of the story to provide balance and perspective. The lighter moments make the darker ones all the more impactful, amplifying the emotional stakes of the overarching narrative. By seamlessly integrating comedic elements into a story steeped in dramatic intensity and existential questions, the film creates a multi-dimensional experience that appeals to both younger audiences and adults. This versatility in tone is part of what makes “The NeverEnding Story” a timeless classic, enjoyable for viewers of all ages.
Unveiling the Timeless Magic: A Final Look
The NeverEnding Story” is more than a cinematic spectacle or a faithful adaptation of a beloved novel. It’s a storytelling experiment that successfully melds traditional narrative techniques with modernist elements that challenge the audience’s role. By combining the Hero’s Journey with the act of breaking the fourth wall, the film invites us to not only journey with the hero but to become heroes in our own stories.
