Details:
Movie Title: Labyrinth
Release Date: June 27, 1986
Tagline: Where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems.
Runtime: 1 hr 41 min
Director: Jim Henson
Screenplay Written By: Terry Jones
Based On: Story by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson.
Is it a remake?: No. Labyrinth is an original fantasy musical adventure, not a remake.
Budget: Approximately $25,000,000
Box Office: Approximately $12,900,000 domestic during its original theatrical release, with later revenue from home video, television, and cult re-releases contributing to its long-term popularity.
Main Cast:
- Jennifer Connelly — Sarah Williams
- David Bowie — Jareth, the Goblin King
- Toby Froud — Toby Williams
- Shelley Thompson — Irene Williams
- Christopher Malcolm — Robert Williams
- Brian Henson — Hoggle, voice
- Shari Weiser — Hoggle, performer
- Ron Mueck — Ludo / Firey 2, voice
- Rob Mills — Ludo, performer
- David Shaughnessy — Didymus, voice
- Dave Goelz — Didymus / The Hat / The Four Guards / Firey 3, performer and voice
- Karen Prell — The Worm / Junk Lady / Firey 2, performer and voice
- Kevin Clash — Firey 1 / Ambrosius, performer and voice
- Frank Oz — The Wiseman, performer
Awards:
- 1987 BAFTA Nomination — Best Special Visual Effects
- 1987 Hugo Award Nomination — Best Dramatic Presentation
- 1987 Saturn Award Nomination — Best Fantasy Film
- 1987 Saturn Award Nomination — Best Costumes
- 1987 Saturn Award Nomination — Best Make-Up
Short Plot Summary:
Teenager Sarah Williams is frustrated with babysitting her baby brother Toby and impulsively wishes that the Goblin King would take him away. When Jareth actually appears and steals Toby to his castle, Sarah is given 13 hours to solve a magical labyrinth and rescue him. Along the way, she meets strange creatures, shifting rules, dangerous illusions, and unlikely friends. The film blends coming-of-age fantasy, puppetry, music, surreal humor, and fairy-tale adventure.
Key Quotes:
- “You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth.” — Jareth
- “It’s only forever, not long at all.” — Jareth
- “Should you need us…” — Hoggle
- “You remind me of the babe.” — Jareth
- “You have no power over me.” — Sarah
Trivia
Director:
- Jim Henson directed Labyrinth after The Dark Crystal, continuing his push into darker, more ambitious fantasy filmmaking.
- The film was executive produced by George Lucas.
- Although the movie underperformed in theaters, it later became one of Henson’s most beloved cult classics.
Cast / Casting:
- Jennifer Connelly stars as Sarah, the imaginative teenager who must mature through her journey inside the labyrinth.
- David Bowie plays Jareth and also performs several original songs in the film.
- Toby Froud, the baby who plays Toby, is the son of conceptual designer Brian Froud.
- Many of the film’s major creatures were performed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop artists and puppeteers.
Soundtrack / Score:
- Trevor Jones composed the film’s instrumental score.
- David Bowie wrote and performed songs for the film, including “Magic Dance,” “As the World Falls Down,” “Underground,” “Within You,” and “Chilly Down.”
- The soundtrack mixes synth-pop, fantasy scoring, and musical-number energy to match the film’s dreamlike world.
Location:
- The film was produced primarily in the United Kingdom.
- Much of the movie was shot at Elstree Studios.
- The labyrinth, goblin city, oubliette, ballroom, and Escher-inspired finale were created through large sets, puppetry, matte paintings, and practical effects.
Behind-The-Scenes:
- Brian Froud served as the film’s conceptual designer, creating many of the creatures and visual ideas.
- Terry Jones of Monty Python wrote the screenplay, with additional development contributions from other writers during the film’s long creative process.
- The “Magic Dance” sequence required extensive puppetry, choreography, and coordination between Bowie, performers, and goblin characters.
- The climactic stairway scene was inspired by M.C. Escher’s impossible-architecture artwork.
Nostalgia:
- Labyrinth became a defining 1980s fantasy film despite its disappointing original box office.
- David Bowie’s performance as Jareth, Jennifer Connelly’s coming-of-age heroine, and the film’s practical creature work helped it build a devoted fanbase.
- The film remains especially remembered for its music, goblins, ballroom sequence, “Magic Dance,” and the line “You have no power over me.”
Easter Eggs:
- Sarah’s bedroom contains objects and images that foreshadow characters and locations she later encounters in the labyrinth.
- The owl seen in the opening credits and ending connects directly to Jareth’s magical form.
- The Escher-style staircase finale visually reflects the maze-like rules of Jareth’s world.
- Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and other creatures echo toys, figures, and fantasy images already present in Sarah’s room.
Misc:
- Labyrinth was Jim Henson’s final feature film as director.
- The movie’s reputation grew significantly through VHS, cable, DVD, fan screenings, merchandise, and pop-culture references.
- A manga sequel series, books, comics, and expanded-universe material later built on the world of the film.
