The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Tami Stronach: The Childlike Empress

Photos 

Quotes 

• Bastian : Why is it so dark?

  The Childlike Empress : In the beginning, it is always dark.

• The Childlike Empress : Bastian. Why don't you do what you dream, Bastian?

  Bastian : But I can't, I have to keep my feet on the ground!

  The Childlike Empress : Call my name. Bastian, please! Save us!

  Bastian : All right! I'll do it! I'll save you! I will do what I dream!

  [Climbs to the window and yells out in the storm:] 

  Bastian : MOONCHILD!

• Atreyu : What will happen if he doesn't appear?

  The Childlike Empress : [sadly]  Then our world will disappear - and so will I.

  Atreyu : How could he let that happen?

  The Childlike Empress : He doesn't understand that he's the one who has the power to stop it. He simply can't imagine that one little boy could be that important.

  Bastian : Is it really me?

  Atreyu : Maybe he doesn't know what he has to do!

  Bastian : [shouts]  What DO I have to do?

  The Childlike Empress : He has to give me a new name. He's already chosen it. He just has to call it out.

• Bastian : How many wishes do I get?

  The Childlike Empress : As many as you want. And the more wishes you make, the more magnificent Fantasia will become.

  Bastian : Really?

  The Childlike Empress : Try it.

  Bastian : My first wish is...

• The Childlike Empress : It was the only way to get in touch with an earthling.

  Atreyu : But I didn't get in touch with an earthling!

  The Childlike Empress : Yes, you did. He has suffered with you. He went through everything you went through; and now, he has come here with you. He is very close... listening to every word, we say.

  Bastian : [as he is reading, Bastian can't believe it]  *What*?

• The Southern Oracle : [as Atreyu approaches the Glowing Blue Sphinx Statues that resemble the ones from the First Gate]  Do not be afraid! We will not harm you! We have been waiting for you a long time, Atreyu!

  Atreyu : Are you the Southern Oracle?

  The Southern Oracle : Yes! We are!

  Atreyu : Then you must know what can save Fantasia?

  The Southern Oracle : Yes! We do!

  Atreyu : Well! What is it? I have to know!

  The Southern Oracle : The Empress! Needs a new name!

  Atreyu : A new name? That's all but that's easy. I can give her any name she wants!

  The Southern Oracle : No one from Fantasia can do it! Only a human child can give her this new name!

  Atreyu : [Noticing the statues starting to crumble]  A human child! Where can I find one?

  The Southern Oracle : You can only find one beyond the Boundaries of Fantasia! If you want to save our world, you must hurry! We don't know how much longer we can withstand The Nothing!

  Atreyu : [Realizing that he has no time left to lose, starts running back]  FALKOR!

• Bastian : What is that?

  The Childlike Empress : One grain of sand. It is all that remains of my vast empire.

  Bastian : Fantasia has totally disappeared?

  The Childlike Empress : Yes.

  Bastian : Then, everything's been in vain.

  The Childlike Empress : No, it hasn't. Fantasia can arise anew, from your dreams and wishes, Bastian.

• The Southern Oracle : If you want to save our world, you must hurry. We don't know how much longer we can withstand the nothing.

• [extended German cut] 

  Atreyu : [shouts furiously]  What will happen if he doesn't appear?

  The Childlike Empress : [sadly]  Then our world will disappear... and so will I.

  Atreyu : How could he let that happen?

  The Childlike Empress : He doesn't understand that he's the one who has the power to stop it. He simply can't imagine that one little boy could be that important.

  Bastian : Is it really me? How could I make any difference?

  Atreyu : Maybe he doesn't know what he has to do!

  Bastian : WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO!

  The Childlike Empress : He has to give me a new name.

  Atreyu : [fearfully]  What if he doesn't come up with the right name!

  The Childlike Empress : He's already chosen it. He just has to call it out.

  Atreyu : [loses it]  WHERE IS HE! WHY ISN'T HE HERE!

  The Childlike Empress : He still does not have the confidence.

  Bastian : But it's only a story! It's not real, it's only a story!

  [the Nothing rumbles the room making Atreyu scream and die] 

  Bastian : ATREYU, NO!

  The Childlike Empress : Atreyu!

• Atreyu : If he's so close why doesn't he arrive?

  The Childlike Empress : He doesn't realise he's already part of The Neverending Story.

  Atreyu : The Neverending Story what's that?

  The Childlike Empress : Just as he is sharing your adventures others are sharing his. They were with him when he hid from the boys in the bookstore.

  Bastian : But that's impossible!

  The Childlike Empress : They were with him when he took the book with the Auryn symbol on the cover in which he's reading his own story right now.

• [extended German cut] 

  The Childlike Empress : [tearfully]  Don't you have the courage... to save us?

  [Bastian and the Empress look at each other] 

  The Childlike Empress : Bastian!

  Bastian : [desperately]  I wish I could!

  The Childlike Empress : Why don't you do what you dream, Bastian?

  Bastian : But I can't, I have to keep my feet on the ground!

  The Childlike Empress : Call my name. Please! Call my name!