Episode 151 - "People who have no hopes are easy to control, and whoever has the control... has the power!"

Greetings, travellers… The Silver Screen Podcast continues its journey through the magical realm of 1980s fantasy, and this time we’re heading to Fantasia—via Germany, childhood imagination, and one very suspicious-looking bookstore—to revisit The NeverEnding Story. Host Michael Wilson is joined by regular co-host D.K., along with returning guests Sandy and Lady Vean, as the team dives headfirst into Wolfgang Petersen’s beloved (and occasionally controversial) adaptation of Michael Ende’s novel. From the devastating Swamp of Sadness to the soaring joy of riding Falkor, we explore the film’s enduring emotional power, its fairy-tale quest structure, and its surprisingly early meta storytelling. Along the way, we discuss the film’s troubled relationship with its source material, its ambitious practical effects, and that unforgettable message about hope, imagination, and the dangers of “The Nothing.” Is this a timeless classic that speaks to the dreamer in all of us, or a flawed fantasy weighed down by Hollywood schmaltz? Plus we're bringing you behind-the-scenes stories from a notoriously demanding production, the truth about that traumatising horse scene and an awful lot of gushing about background details and practical effects. We also discuss the merits of the iconic Limahl theme song vs the original German score, and why people without hope are “easy to control…” So climb aboard your luckdragon, hold tight to your Auryn, and remember… Fantasia lives on—as long as we do. But that’s… another story.

Links:

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Follow Vean on BlueSky: @ladyvean.bsky.social

Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson.

Co-hosted and Additional Material by D.K

Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson.

"All right! I'll do it! I'll save you! I will do what I dream! MOONCHILD!"

Cinema Classics Number 26 - "Say, for five hundred dollars I'd climb to Heaven, an' hang by my heels from the pearly gates."

Welcome back film fans and podcast pals. In this Cinema Classics episode we're going back farther than we ever have before. 103 years back in fact, for a review and discussion about the 1923 silent-era comedy Safety Last! Host Michael is joined by co-host D.K, who selected this movie for review and begins by explaining his reasons, how this film came onto his radar, why he likes it and why he thinks it's a good fit for our analysis. He also shouts out a few more silent film favourites and laments the fading popularity of these seminal works. Then it's on to the main analysis. We get into a little about the Behind- the-Scenes making of the film, including that iconic clock-hanging stunt as well as the wall climbing techniques, tricks and skills used to bring it all to life. There's talk about the writing, dealing with relatable and effective comedy vs dated attitudes and some odd structural pacing. The direction and production design comes in for high praise, as does the majority of the acting. As ever the podcast wraps up with an overview of the critics' response to the film, personal favourite things, conclusions and scores. So make sure you catch the right trolley, check your back for "kick me" signs and maybe think twice before scaling any buildings. We promise not to leave you hanging, press play and dive straight into the discussion.

Links:

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson.

Co-hosted and Additional Material by D.K

Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Young man, don't you know you might fall and get hurt?"

AN INTERVIEW WITH MUSICIAN AL TROTTER

In this special Meet the Creators episode, Mike Wilson sits down with an old friend and the podcast’s newest composer, musician Al Trotter. In this in-depth conversation, Al reflects on his early experiences with music—both listening and playing—including some (slightly embarrassing) first albums. He shares his journey through school, the influences and supporters who shaped him, and how he discovered his natural ability to learn and reproduce music by ear. Throughout the interview, Al explores each of his six released tracks, including collaborations, the real-life and fictional inspirations behind them, and his creative process—from initial ideas to published work. He also opens up about his online success and overcoming a brief crisis of creative confidence. Of course, no conversation would be complete without discussing the TV and film scores that resonate most with him, as we put him on the spot to name a few favourites. This is a fascinating and insightful listen for anyone interested in music, creative journeys, or simply a relatable—and perhaps motivational—story about following your geeky passion.

TW: Suicide, road death, grieving - 27:04 to 32:40

TW: Potential domestic/child abuse - 1:18:01 to 1:20:38

Links:

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al, and check out all of his tracks in full, on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

• Follow Al on TikTok and view the Never Forget slideshows: https://www.tiktok.com/@abusesurvivor84?_r=1&_t=ZN-95XVHPCpJfK

• "Never Forget" is available to purchase on all good digital music platforms. Proceeds go to the 9/11 memorial fund.

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created & Hosted by Michael Wilson.

Edited by Michael Wilson.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

Music composed and performed by Al Trotter.