Synopsis:

An extended version of the International Cut of this classic 80s fantasy.

Intentions:

I have a couple of previous projects concerning 1984’s The NeverEnding Story, my very first fanedit was a Hybrid Cut that added a few elements of the 94-minute International Cut (IC) to the 101-minute German Cut (GC); a later one was more akin to a preservation, taking the 2014 IC Blu-ray and almost entirely replacing the video using the much better-quality 2019 GC transfer. On seeing the Hybrid Cut, a few viewers expressed a desire for a version that took the opposite tack, having the IC as a base then extending it with GC material: this keeps the opening cloud tank visuals and song as well as more of the additional music composed by Giorgio Moroder along with numerous other items. This project is named after its true instigator, forum member Atreyu, who also served as the creative overseer; made custom English subtitles; did image clean-up on a few shots and AI voice processing necessary for presenting GC-exclusive dialogue in the IC style.

Change List:

Exported Full HD video with 5.1 channel audio, optional English subtitles (disabled by default). These are compiled from multiple versions of official subtitles polished for the greatest accuracy, including brand new captioning and a restoration of green G’mork lines that was a DVD/VHS closed-caption exclusive (plus blue colouring of the Southern Oracle’s lines), and make clear certain dialogue that is more difficult to make out. Primary video footage sourced from 2019 German Blu-ray release (with 4K disc, not used here) of German Cut (GC) “Die Unendliche Geschicte”, secondary footage from 2014 30th anniversary UK Blu-ray release of International Cut (IC) requiring colour correction to fit in. Used my earlier International Cut Remastered project files as the starting point, as this aligned the IC audio to video from the GC Blu-ray. Creative choices; AI voice cloning for GC-exclusive G’mork lines; blue Auryn shot restoration; frame edge repair and subtitle production by Atreyu. Assembly by ParanoidAndroid. Cuts and Additions: Changes listed are generally relative to the German Cut, as this illustrates the International Cut additions more clearly. 0:00:00 Added fanedit warning plate. 0:00:09 Added “A ParanoidAndroid Production” plate. 0:00:19 Added “An Atreyu Edit” plate. Provided by Atreyu. 0:00:25 Open with IC title sequence and song, rather than black background and Doldinger music. 0:02:23 Fade to GC soundtrack to accommodate the extended scene of Bastian sitting on his bed and his father coming into the kitchen. 0:11:26 Used IC soundtrack for first part of Koreander’s call, slightly clearer. 0:11:43 Used shot of book from IC, with English text. 0:12:00 Added shot of Bastian taking the book from IC. 0:12:01 Used shot of Koreander looking at the note from IC, with English text. 0:14:39 Switched to soundtrack from IC for duration of the scene with the Rockbiter, Teeny Weeny and Night Hob, has additional music from Giorgio Moroder compared to the GC and a less distracting voice for Teeny Weeny, requiring small trims to GC footage. 0:21:10 Added ~8 second segment from IC of the approaching Nothing. 0:22:25 Used IC soundtrack for Giorgio Moroder music for approach to Ivory Tower, slightly trimming down GC footage to match. 0:25:02 Added two shots of Fantasian creatures from IC. 0:25:13 Added shot of Fantasia creatures from IC. 0:25:37 Added shot of Fantasia creatures from IC. 0:30:10 Used IC sequence of Atreyu riding out, more upbeat music than GC and uninterrupted by G’mork introduction. First shot (with Ivory Tower in background) sourced from IC as it is a couple of frames longer than the GC equivalent 0:31:28 Used IC soundtrack over scene of Atreyu and Artax by the stream, has additional music from Giorgio Moroder. 0:33:42 Used IC version of the Swamps of Sadness scene (different music to GC) up to the point where Morla start rising five-and-a-half minutes later, slightly trimmed compared to GC. 0:40:24 Added side shot of Morla talking to Atreyu from IC. 0:45:26 Switched to IC soundtrack with Giorgio Moroder music for scene of Atreyu being chased by G’mork, requiring small trims to GC footage. 0:48:46 Switched to IC soundtrack with additional music from Giorgio Moroder for scene of Atreyu talking with Falkor, requiring small trims to GC footage. 1:01:29 Used segment of audio from IC to change dialogue from “It has to hurt if it’s to heal.” to “You could do with a dose of juicy vitamins too.” 1:04:28 Used shot of book from IC, with English text. 1:04:42 Used shot of book from IC, with English text. 1:04:49 Used shot of book from IC, with English text. 1:05:01 Used shot of book from IC, with English text. 1:05:54 Used IC soundtrack for Atreyu at the Southern Oracle, dialogue has reverb effect absent in GC. 1:08:55 Used AI-extracted IC “Yeah” as GC version sounded tinny. 1:12:05 Switched to IC soundtrack with Giorgio Moroder music at the shore and meeting the Rockbiter, requiring small trims to GC footage. 1:16:59 Switched to IC soundtrack for G’mork’s introduction, different groaning sounds to GC 1:17:20 Blended together elements from IC and GC soundtracks to extend music so a GC exclusive exchange between Atreyu and G’mork could be inserted. Reverb was added to both and the latter had different vocal tracks for the two versions (IC much deeper), so AI voice cloning was used to fill in the gaps. Voice cloning done by Atreyu. 1:20:37 Added a second GC-exclusive exchange between Atreyu and G’mork, again requiring mixing of the two soundtracks, reverb and AI voice cloning. Voice cloning done by Atreyu. 1:21:21 Switched to IC soundtrack, so part of GC version could be repurposed for a new shot 1:21:38 New shot inserted between Atreyu departing the ruins and Falkor diving into the water, blue-tinted shot of the Auryn exclusive to the original theatrical trailer only (extended x4 with Flowframes), meant to symbolise it being underwater. Audio from GC version of previous scene used to cover ~4 second period. Idea from Atreyu. 1:21:42 Switched to IC soundtrack for next 8 minutes, using Giorgio Moroder music for Falkor underwater, Ivory Tower approach and entry (both requiring slight trimming and latter having Falkor say “Go on”, which is not in the GC). 1:21:42 Added IC-exclusive overhead shot of water surface before Falkor is seen diving in, following shot shortened (as in IC) to avoid showing the puppet floating up again. 1:25:57 Cleaned up the matte painting around the Ivory Tower platform. 1:29:44 Switched to GC soundtrack, but added reverb to audio channels with dialogue whenever Atreyu or the Empress speaks to make it sound like IC, which is missing certain lines. 1:32:54 Dark border at frame edges removed from this shot. Done by Atreyu 1:32:54 Switched to IC soundtrack, different music to GC for Bastian and the Empress’ talk; clearer dialogue from Night Hob and Teeny Weeny. 1:36:05 Switched to GC soundtrack, avoids reverb from Falkor laughing and a stutter from Bastian on the last word of “Get 'em, Falkor! Let's see how you like it, chickens!” (1:36:43). 1:39:10 Overlaid portion of IC dialogue, Bastian more clearly audible. 1:37:46 Used IC version of the end credits, English text and title song again.

Additional Notes:

Source image for page poster chosen and modified by Atreyu. This edit is being used as the base for an updated version of the Hybrid Cut, which should be arriving next month.

Other Sources:

A new shot, not appearing in either official version of the film, was taken from an original theatrical trailer.

Special Thanks:

Special thanks to Atreyu for not only doing a lot of work but also being very patient while I got distracted with forays into other fantasy lands! Thanks too to Dwight Fry for shepherding me through my first edit, the original Hybrid Cut, that this project was born from.