Labyrinth

We have lost a legend.

Little Bit of History: Released by Lucasfilm in 1986 and directed by Jim Henson with a screenplay by Monty Python’s Terry Jones. A magical mixture of music, dance, comedy, thrills and puppets. Labyrinth was the first film ever to feature a fully computer generated animal.

Little Bit of Plot/Story: 15 year old Sarah has to babysit for her younger brother, Toby. Frustrated by Toby’s constant crying, Sarah wishes for the goblins to take Toby away…and they do. Sarah must then enter the eponymous labyrinth and try to get to the castle in the middle to reclaim her brother from The Goblin King.

Little Bit of Character: Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is joined by a cast of amazing and wonderful characters including; Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus and his (sometimes) faithful dog Ambrosius. All topped off with Jareth-The Goblin King (David Bowie) and his impressive codpiece.

Little Bit of Influence: The film went on to inspire a manga sequel called; Return To Labyrinth. As well as a prequel graphic novel which is in the works announced by Archaia Studios. There was even a sequel film that almost made it to the big screen called; Curse of the Goblin King, but ultimately is was decided to take the film in a different direction and the film was reworked and relased as MirrorMask in 2005.

Little Bit of Memories: I don’t really recall the first time I saw this, but whenever it was, it made a lasting impression on me. It a film I have grown with and love more and more each time I see it.

Little Bit of Watchability: This has to be my favourite non-Muppets Jim Henson puppet film. I often watch some old films I loved as a kid and can never work out why I liked them. This film is one I find even more enjoyable now than I did (almost) 30 years ago. The story is simple but it really works. Sarah is a loveable heroine and the characters she meets are equally as enjoyable (must mention the little worm she meets near the beginning: “I’m just a worm. Say, come inside, and meet the missus.”). Brilliant cast of fun, outrageous characters all levelled out with the main villain, Jareth played perfectly by the recently gone David Bowie.

Jareth: “You remind me of the babe…”

David Bowie: “I’m just an individual who doesn’t feel that I need to have somebody qualify my work in any particular way. I’m working for me.”

Thanks for the music and everything else over the years David.