Tales From the Neverending Story
Revision date: May 16, 2004
Compiled by Loren Heisey
contact
http://www.innermind.com/myguides/
Series notes
Twelve-year-old Bastian Balthazar Bux had lost the wonderful imagination he had as a child somewhere between growing older, watching TV, going to school and playing with his Gameboy. In a curious little bookstore Bastian comes across a magical book, The Neverending Story, and his limitless imagination is reborn. Through the book Bastian experiences an enchanted world called Fantasia, inhabited by dragons, dark knights and assorted heroes and villains.The first season was filmed from December 2000 to August 2001 in and around Montreal, Canada. The series can be shown as 13 one hour episodes or as 4 two hour movies. Hallmark ran what was probably the first of the movies on August 11, 2001.
Hannover House released a DVD box set with 4 DVDs containing all 13 episodes plus a few bonus items. The only place I have seen it for sale is Best Buy. There are also two DVDs from Goodtimes with some of the two hour movies.
Guide notes
Airdates are the first airing on the U.S. Hallmark cable channel.
Principle production credits
Director of Photography: Daniel VilleneuveProduction Designer: Collin Niemi
Costume Designer: Renee April
Original Music Composed by: David Bergeaud with Niels Bye Nielsen
Music Supervisor: Spencer Proffer
Casting by: Andrea Kenyon and Myriam Vezina
Editors: Simon Webb, Vidal Beique, Jean Beaudoin, Annie Ilkow
Line Producer: Michel Chauvin
Co-Producers: Klaus Kahler, Kurt Silberschneider
Supervising Producers: David Preston, Leila Basen
Producer: Irene Litinsky
Creative Producer: Dieter Geissler
Executive Producers: Steven Hewitt, Michael Prupas, Rolf Schneider
Based on themes of the Novel by Michael Ende
Production Company: Muse Entertainment Enterprises Inc and
The Movie Factory Film Gambit
Cast
Mark Rendall: Bastian Balthazar BuxTyler Hynes: Atreyu
Victoria Sanchez: Xayide
Audrey Gardiner: The Childlike Empress
Stefanie Buxton: Fly Girl
Noel Burton: Michael Bux
Edward Yankie: Gmork/Mr. Blank
John Dunn Hill: Carl Coreander
Episodes
1. Heart of Stone
U.S. original airdate: October 6, 2001
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Bastian finds and starts to read The Neverending Story. Atreyu sees The Childlike Empress who tells him about The Nothing and the Dark Princess.
2. The Nothing
U.S. original airdate: October 13, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: David Preston, Leila Basen
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Mr Blank says he never got Bastian's assignment and makes Bastian do it during lunch. Atreyu begins his quest.
3. The Luckdragon
U.S. original airdate: October 20, 2001
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Bastian neglects his chores and schoolwork for the book.
4. Deleting Mr. Blank
U.S. original airdate: October 27, 2001
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Marley and Lucas assist Bastian in extricating the detestable Mr. Blank.
5. The Gift of the Name
U.S. original airdate: November 3, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Bastian earns money to buy his father a birthday gift.
6. Home Sweet Home
U.S. original airdates: November 10, 2001 and November 11, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Bastian's father puts the house up for sale due to memories of his late wife.
7. The Scepter
U.S. original airdate: November 18, 2001
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Bastian believes un unsent letter from his mother is a message from beyond.
8. The Luck Stops Here
U.S. original airdate: November 25, 2001
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Bastian's concern for Fallon increases when he sees her wearing his mother's old coat.
9. Badge of Courage
U.S. original airdate: December 2, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: A bully challenges Bastian to a fight.
10. Deus Ex Machina
U.S. original airdate: December 9, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Giles Walker
Synopsis: Bastian and Connor are put on a week's worth of detention for fighting.
11. Stairway to Heaven
U.S. original airdate: December 23, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Bastian wants to go to the school dance with Marley but things do not work out. Bastian and Lucas attend the dance along with Gemma.
12. The Visitor
U.S. original airdate: December 30, 2001
Written by: Karin Howard
Story Edited by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Gemma transfers to Bastian's school in order to steal The Neverending Story book.
13. The Ressurection
U.S. original airdate: January 6, 2002
Written by: Leila Basen, David Preston
Directed by: Adam Weissman
Synopsis: Xayide can not resist reading The Neverending Story book.
This guide is for personal use only and may be distributed freely. No charge may be made for this document beyond the costs of printing and distribution.