NeverEnding Story: Hybrid Cut, The

Almost the definitive version of the film. Like others, I'd have preferred the international music for Artax. There's one rough audio transition at the very end of the film, and the 753MB file size is perhaps overly compressed for an HD movie (most noticeable at Gmork's first appearance), but those are minor quibbles. Otherwise, it's basically perfect! It would be nice to see a 4K HDR version one day, if the international version ever gets a 4K release.

The best of both worlds. It is debatable which of Steven Spielberg's suggested changes (yes, it was him) were for the best and which weren't, but I tend to align with Paranoid Android here. The opening works much better over black and with Doldinger's music, yet the Ivory Tower bits do improve with Moroder (Doldinger's score is beautiful but kinda repetitive) and Limahl's song is too iconic to be discarded completely so it fits over the end credits. It's debatable whether Spielberg was right in suggesting the removal of the janitor scene: it's in the book, but it should have been much more suspenseful than it is, so I can see both sides. I like having it in the movie, as a fan of the original novel. Pretty much the decisions taken for this edit are the ones I myself would have taken.

And as someone who toyed with the idea of doing a "book cut" of the movie - and decided against it so far because I can't find a way to fix the sphinxes scene without extensive FX/rotoscoping skills that I don't possess (fans of the book will agree with me here) - this cut is the next best thing for me, and my new preferred way to watch the movie.

An excellent first-time edit, very well realized and of a remarkable high quality. Recommended for anyone who enjoys the movie at all. And if you do - please, please, read the book as well. You have my word you won't regret it.

I really liked this version. Ever since I watched a video on youtube on the subject of the different versions I have been wanting to watch a version that has got most of the things cut from DUG. I like how awkward Bastian and his fathers conversation becomes in the start. The Dialog with Mr. Koriander I suddenly understand. And, contrary to what I thought before watching, I really liked the black background in the beginning. The removal of the music when Artax dies (spolier alert) however was not something I enjoyed. The added melodrama of the music always made me cry, this time I did not cry. Also, I find that Artreju is way too whiney in the end with the added lines. Some things were good to remove from the TNS-edit.

As dwight-fry said "...very well realized and of a remarkable high quality.".

And for everyone who hasn't: Please read the book!!!

In short, this is so much better than the theatrical cut I grew up with!

Others have gone into the differences and changes, so no need to rehash in my review. I will add this, though the movie will never compare to the book and has certain flaws that will never be overcome, this edit matches the book itself much better and more importantly, the tone feels much better.

I am not a professional editor, so from a technical standpoint I always ask, did anything take me out of the experience. I am happy to say no it did not. Very well done and thank you for your hard work creating this!

This is like a near perfect legacy edition. I highly recommend this version to new and old fans. This is a family favorite movie and its what we watched and was in no way a let down. this would be a perfect 10 cut except the missing music in the death scene. Other than that this is my favorite cut. if you're ever in need of a family movie this here is it. Having the hybrid cut gives nice adventure and a hidden gem to watch.