Labyrinth (1986)

“For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me.”

When teenager Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly) discovers her little baby brother has been kidnapped by David Bowie (er . . . by the Goblin King, who is played by David Bowie that is), she enters a secret labyrinthine world of mazes, magic and . . . well . . . Muppets.

Masterminded by Muppeteer Jim Henson and Star Wars creator George Lucas, Labyrinth combined live actors, puppetry and special effects in an elaborate fantasy. While not officially a sequel to Henson’s The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth had the same look and feel, and it stirred up the same kind of religious fan fervour.

The film begins with Sarah babysitting her younger brother, Toby. A romantic girl who indulges herself in fantasies and daydreams, Sarah dislikes always having to be responsible for her kid brother.

In a moment of annoyance, she wishes the Goblin King would steal him away forever.

She is horrified when her terrible wish actually comes true, and she plunges into the labyrinth in order to save poor Toby.

Jareth (the Goblin King) watches Sarah with great interest as she navigates her way through the treacherous, complicated maze.

She is assisted in her quest by many strange characters, including the gruff, cowardly dwarf Hoggle (also known as Higgle, Hogwart, Hedgewart and Hogbrain on account of no one being able to remember his name), the miniature but brave fox terrier knight in shining armour Sir Didymus (on his noble English Sheepdog steed) and the gentle giant and rock enthusiast Ludo, who becomes Sarah’s loyal sidekick.

Sarah’s adventures in the labyrinth make her a wiser, more compassionate person as she matures from a self-indulgent child to a young, intelligent woman.

The film provided many memorable moments of stunning imagery, including a dark tunnel crowded with thousands of white ‘Helping Hands’, the odious Bog of Eternal Stench, Jareth’s staircase kingdom (based on the drawings of M.C. Escher), and, of course, the mysterious labyrinth itself.

David Bowie‘s performance as Jareth also made a striking impression. His Goblin King had a truly magnetic presence that made one understand why Sarah would find herself unwillingly attracted to him.

The former Ziggy Stardust also wrote and performed five original songs for the film’s soundtrack.

It’s very easy to fall under the spell of a movie like Labyrinth because it taps into our ideas about dreams and illusions.

The film also boasted innovative puppetry creations for the numerous creatures that populated its fantasy world, making it an even more mesmerising and unique movie-going experience.

And is it just me, or did I hear Fozzie Bear in there somewhere?

Jareth, The Goblin King
David Bowie
Sarah Williams
Jennifer Connelly
Toby
Toby Froud
Hoggle
Shari Weiser
Hoggle (voice)
Brian Henson
Ludo
Ron Mueck
Rob Mills
Sir Didymus
Dave Goelz
David Alan Barclay
David Shaughnessy
Junk Lady
Karen Prell
Denise Bryer
The Wiseman
Frank Oz
Michael Hordern
Ambrosius
Steve Whitmire
Kevin Clash
Percy Edwards
Stepmother
Shelley Thompson
Father
Christopher Malcolm
Fairy
Natalie Finland

Director
Robert Zemeckis

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