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David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Brian Henson, Shelley Thompson ... see more see more... , Christopher Malcolm , Natalie Finland , Shari Weiser , Ron Mueck , David Barclay , David Shaughnessey , Karen Prell , Timothy Bateson , Kenny Baker , Sean Barrett , Robert Beatty , Douglas Blackwell , John Bluthal , David Bradshaw , Kevin Clash , Warwick Davis , Malcolm Dixon , Percy Edwards , Dave Goelz , Louise Gold , David Healy , Michael Hordern , Danny John-Jules , Peter Mandell , Peter Marinker , Toby Philpott , Ian Thom , Steve Whitmire , Charles Augins , Anthony Jackson , Frank Oz , Sherry Amott , Marc Antona , John Aron , Anthony Asbury , Elfrida Ashworth , Michael Henbury Ballan , Danny Blackner , Richard Bodkin , Denise Bryer , Peter Burroughs , Toby Clark , Tessa Crockett , Terry Dane , Margaret Foyer , Alistair Fullarton , Anthony Georghiou , Elizabeth A. Gilbert , Moira Grant , Paul Grant , Derek Hartley , Cheryl Henson , Andrew Herd , Douglas Howes , John Key , Rollin Krewson , Hoi San Lee , Mark Lisle , Janis Mackintosh , Penny Marsden , Kim Mendez , Rob Mills , Wendy Millward , Leonie Pallete , Caroline Pope , Katie Purvis , Nicholas Read , Kerry Shale , Linda Spriggs , Penny Stead , Sharon White , Albert Wilkinson , Richard Jones , Michael Attwell

George Lucas produced and Jim Henson directed this gothic fantasy which pits living and breathing actors Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie (who, along with Trevor Jones, provides the film's music) aga... read more read more...inst a motley collection of Muppet monsters. The film centers upon teenage Sarah (Connelly), who lives in a fantasy world of myth and magic, evil spells, and wondrous enchantment. She is baby-sitting her little brother when she cavalierly wishes that goblins would take him away. She gets her wish, and a coterie of goblins abduct him. She then encounters Jareth (David Bowie), the ruler of a mystical world one step removed from reality. He tells Sarah that the only way to get her brother back is to find her way through a M.C. Escher-like labyrinth and find the castle at the center. As she makes her way through the maze, she faces a number of horrific challenges (like the Bog of Eternal Stench) before she finds her way to the gravity-defying castle, where her brother is being held by the evil goblins. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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36 critics

PG, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Jim Henson

Release Date: June 27, 1986

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DVD Release Date: October 12, 1999

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David Bowie Labyrinth Labyrinth's Cute Worm Jareth The Goblin King Spying on Sarah Labyrinth Jareth The Goblin King Bowie as Jareth labyrinth Goblin King David Bowie in costume as Jareth Jareth the Goblin King Jareth - the goblin king The Goblin King Labyrinth (1986) Awesome TOP MAN
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Flixster Reviews (35,215)

  • romy861
    April 22, 2013
    romy861
    Very hammy, even for an 80's movie. Maybe a little too much so. Maybe I would feel differently if I had seen this as a child, but somehow missed this one.
    Even David Bowie is not very good here, and I'm a fan. It's like he couldn't take it seriously either.
    Jennifer Connelly lo... read moreoks pretty, but she's not good either. Extremely unconvincing.
    Didn't really like the puppets. I guess maybe kids would enjoy this. I can't picture an adult, although the ratings suggest otherwise.
  • emilkakko
    August 3, 2012
    emilkakko
    While Jim Henson does certainly have a rich imagination and his ability to create puppets ans effects is amazing, it is still a sad fact that his 80's cult fantasy hit is dated as hell and honestly a silly piece of work.
    Story by Terry Jones serves no surprises or originality in... read more it. Here is fantasy film full of genre cliches and characters which are way too familiar from other similiar fantasy films. There is also oddly uneven cheesy musical numbers with David Bowie as a goblin king. These scenes are quite confusing and simply does not fit into the film's overall mood.
    When it comes to acting there is not that much to praise here. Jennifer Connelly is in one of her weakest roles here and David Bowie is just plain oddity as the film's goblin king.
    Many will embrace this film possibly because it was important for them back when they were children but the honest truth is that this is quite weak film from visionary creature designer Henson and his company. As a curiosity it might work, but just as a curiosity.
  • ironclad1609
    April 2, 2012
    ironclad1609
    This typical 80s muppet adventure contains all the highlights and lows of the era: a pop soundtrack by David Bowie (who is also a fine villain), a simple but enthralling story, lovable characters that sometimes burst into songs, but also some cheesy lines, dated special effects a... read morend a simplistic plot. Of course, none of those things mattered if you saw this film at the right age when it came out. Most of the dolls still look pretty fine and especially unique today and there are so amazing visual effects in the film. Jennifer Connelly started her great career with this and the Henson studios once again proved that they are the masters of puppets. It's easy to find flaw in this film today, but for its time it was pretty outstanding and still works for an entertaining rainy afternoon now.
  • 366weirdmovies
    March 25, 2012
    366weirdmovies
    A spoiled teenage girl (Jennifer Connelly) must find her way through a magical labyrinth (designed by M.C. Escher and inhabited by Muppets) to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (David Bowie). Excellent coming-of-age fantasy that's a sweet and spectacular adventure for yo... read moreungsters; the undercurrent of sexual tension between Connelly and Bowie is unnerving but adds a certain creepy fascination for adults.
  • mumby1988
    February 17, 2012
    mumby1988
    Having made his name in the 1970s through Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, the 1980s saw Jim Henson move into darker territory with a recurring interest in fairy tales. After steering The Great Muppet Caper to box-office success, he directed The Dark Crystal, a Tolkien-esque fa... read morentasy featuring ground-breaking animatronics. In the late-1980s he created The Storyteller TV series starring John Hurt, which retold Greek myths and European folk tales through a mixture of puppetry and live action.

    Sandwiched between these two accomplishments is Labyrinth, Henson's last theatrical film before his tragic and untimely death in 1990. Its commercial failure drove Henson to despair, but it has rightfully attained cult status, spawning a series of manga spin-offs, a spiritual sequel called MirrorMask, reams of fan fiction, and even an annual two-day masked ball held in Hollywood. Looking at the film in isolation of its following, it has more than its share of problems, but like much of Henson's work the flaws end up making it all the more endearing.

    Labyrinth does have a fair amount of creative pedigree. Aside from Henson's direct involvement, it boasts a screenplay by ex-Python and medievalist Terry Jones, who shares Henson's fascination with fairy tales. There is also a production credit for George Lucas, who collaboration with Henson in the creation of Yoda on The Empire Strikes Back. This is an example of Lucas doing what he does best - using his financial clout and army of toys to give those with real creative talent what they need. Lucas would subsequently work in a similar capacity on Ron Howard's Willow two years later.

    Labyrinth is clearly the product of people who understand fairy tales - and in particular, understand them to be more than silly stories told to children. The most superficial indication of this is an early shot of Sarah's bookshelf, which features everything from Alice in Wonderland to The Wizard of Oz. But there is also clear fairy tale imagery in the film's cast of characters. Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly, is the classic dark-haired heroine with a 'wicked' stepmother; she stands in for Snow White, with Jareth's peach taking the place of the poisoned apple.

    Alongside the frequent references to Snow White, there are tenuous connections to Sleeping Beauty: rather than the prince riding to rescue the princess, the gender roles are reversed and Jareth stands in for Maleficent. There are also nods to Alice in Wonderland in the maze sequence (which features prominently in the Disney version), and to The Wizard of Oz in the make-up of the companions: Sarah, like Dorothy, is joined by three companions and a dog.

    It is therefore ironic that a film of such literary richness should be so all at sea narratively. The premise of Labyrinth is simple: a spoilt child has 13 hours to get her brother back, before he turns into a goblin. It is difficult to sustain such a premise over 90 minutes, and there are loads of random scenes which make no sense or have no right to be there. Some of these are quite witty in their own right - for instance, the worm who persistently offers Sarah cups of tea and asks her to meet his family. But other are just bizarrely surreal (the soldiers beating Ludo like a piņata) or somewhat misjudged (the talking knockers - more on them later).

    The 'Chilly Down' sequence is Labyrinth is one of the best examples of a 'Big-Lipped Alligator moment'. This term, derived by Nostalgia Chick Lindsay Ellis, refers to a random musical sequence which comes out of nowhere, has little or no bearing on the plot, is ridiculously over-the-top, and after it happens is never spoken of again. This scene fits each of these criteria, and is also the most dated aspect of the film: the obvious blue-screen is a possible indication that, even in their infancy, digital effects date quicker than organic ones.

    The special effects in Labyrinth are a complete mixed bag. The work of Industrial Light and Magic was perhaps impressive for the day but feels all too obvious after 26 years. The use of matte paintings, a common feature in fantasy filmmaking, also hasn't stood the test of time; the first shot of the labyrinth will prompt widespread cries of "it's only a model". But the puppets remain endearing proof of Henson's brilliance. His creatures come in all shapes and sizes, but all of them have a personality and a physicality which pulls us into their world.

    That said, some of the characters are rather annoying. It's unfair to pick on child actors, who are still learning their craft, but Sarah is not an entirely likeable protagonist; not only is she spoilt and childish, but her intelligence seems to vary according to the nearest plot point. More problematic is Sir Didymus, a Don Quixote-style knight, who has a dog called Ambrosius for a steed, and who bring the plot to a grinding halt. To draw on Monty Python a second time, his introduction is somewhere between the Black Knight and the Bridge of Death, but without any of the laughs (or the violence).

    In addition to all the non-sequiturs and plot diversions, Labyrinth has several moments which are either misjudged or downright disturbing. The script is rife with innuendo ("search me, we're just the knockers") or phallic imagery (obelisks and Jareth's, erm, balls). David Bowie manages to avoid looking ridiculous, but his tight trousers leave nothing to the imagination. Most disturbing is a scene where Sarah falls down a shaft full of wandering hands. It's an inventive and clever use of puppetry, but treads far too close for comfort to Repulsion.

    One scene which is effective, however, is the dream sequence. After Sarah eats the peach, she descends into a deep sleep and imagines herself dancing with Jareth at a masked ball. The awkward dancing and shifting camerawork conveys their mixed feelings towards each other, both platonic and romantic. It is also the scene which highlights something rare - an 1980s electronic soundtrack that hasn't dated badly. Bowie's contributions gel nicely with Trevor Jones' instrumentals, and 'As The World Falls Down' is one of the film's highlights.

    This scene also introduces the core theme of Labyrinth. The film is about learning to putting childish things to one side, not so much to leave them behind but to realise that everything has its place. This theme is approached gently and playfully, but it is there throughout the stronger second half. The most evocative example comes in the junkyard scene, where Sarah is confronted by an old woman carrying a burden of useless junk. The woman represents what Sarah will become if she cannot assert her adult self and move on from childhood.

    Sarah manages to defeat Jareth and retrieve her brother by realising that he has no power over her. As persuasive and seductive as he is, he is still a fantasy of hers: she can control his destiny, not the other way around. The final scene, where all the characters descend upon her room, is a reminder that our memories and fantasies of childhood never really leave us. We draw on them when needed, but we needn't fear them (hence Jareth's absence).

    The film picks up quite significantly in its last half hour, when our protagonists finally enter the goblin city. The fight that ensues is pretty aimless, but includes a good self-deprecating gag on Lucas' part: the multitude of boulders summoned by Ludo takes a certain scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark to its silliest possible conclusion. The scenes with Jareth inside the castle are very impressive, with another good song ('Within You') and an elaborate set which replicates the work of MC Escher.

    Discounting the parents, Labyrinth only has two human performances of note. Connelly's delivery is off the mark at times, but she is generally okay and eventually manages to become likeable. Bowie is clearly enjoying himself: only someone of his charisma and sex appeal could wear that outfit with any dignity, and his odd delivery is suited to the character. Elsewhere there is good work all round from the puppeteers, particularly Jim Henson's son Brian who provides the voice of Hoggle.

    Labyrinth remains a decent film and a definite guilty pleasure. It's riddled with flaws and inconsistencies which lessen its dramatic impact, but the charm of Henson's craft lift the experience of watching it. In the moments when it comes together, it is an original and intriguing exploration of a theme or eventuality often avoided in children's films. If nothing else, it cements Henson's position as high king of puppetry and emperor of the lovably weird.
  • fb619846742
    November 27, 2011
    fb619846742
    An imaginative, initially charming David Lynch meets Tim Burton meets Disney mesh of a story concerning a young girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must find her baby brother in a dark, mysterious dream-like world ruled by an intimidating figure (David Bowie) within a certain time-frame... read more, or she will never see him again. Jim Henson definitely gets an "A" for set-pieces, makeup, and a variety of characters being worked in to his story. Where he falters is giving the story some suspense and maintaining its overall likability. Sometimes this film gets a little too dark, and occasionally annoying with some of the characters chewing up their scenes while stealing it away from the more interesting characters in the story. Connelly and Bowie are both terrific, and as said, it is a very good looking movie. However, it is not for a second surprising or memorable, with Henson deciding to play his cards safe and not electing for this to be anymore than a nice but ultimately forgettable and disposable kids film. Not a bad movie by any means, in fact it is pretty good, it just is not a solid recommendation type of movie.
  • phubbs1
    October 10, 2011
    phubbs1
    Another classic from my childhood, Bowie is cool here (although when I was a kid I thought he was a female hahaha) the Labyrinth is really twisted and cool looking, great imagination and creature design all round with some awesome classic effects with the good old ways of matte p... read moreainting and puppetry, the 'Magic Dance' is a great song as well.

    Everything is spot on in this visual feast right down to the smallest detail, its incredible to see the love and sweat put into this film and without using any cgi! all good old fashioned craftsmanship. An absolute joy to watch and THE perfect family film for all ages, everyone can enjoy and appreciate the skill and work involved creating this magical world.

    Mr Henson, you've done it again, probably your best work.
  • fb100001493964409
    August 28, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    Let me start this review by saying that on paper, this is NOT a good film. If I were to break down what I liked about this film, it would seem like everything I said would be a flaw. But that's the point with Labyrinth. It's flawed beyond human (and goblin) comprehension, but it'... read mores so much fun, so offbeat, and downright bizarre, it succeeds to do what many fantasy epics fail to do: Create a world. I'm not saying that the world of Labyrinth is believable. What I'm saying is that the world is so consistently weird that when a little girl falls into a pit lined with hundreds of hands that grab her and speak with her, you don't even question it. The puppetry from Jim Henson's creature crew looks really cool (with the exception of the Fierys that look AWFUL), but the reason above all reasons that this film is enjoyable is simple:
    David Bowie is in it.
    David is an absolute joy to watch as Jareth the Goblin King, over the top but extremely enjoyable. His soundtrack varies in quality, but if you don't like "Dance Magic Dance", THEN YOU DON'T HAVE A SOUL. In total, I enjoyed this film. It's fun and if you have any interest in puppetry, this and "The Dark Crystal" are films you should watch.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 19, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    You have no power over me.

    Decent movie. I would have liked to have seen this movie when I was kid when I could have enjoy it more, all that fantasy and kids monsters would have been great. Right now what I can say is that it wasn't a bad movie, it is a cult movie which will be ... read moreremember always. At my age for me at times was a little boring and tedious to watch but still it was nice and a joy to watch.

    Young Sarah is left home alone by her parents and she has to babysit her little brother Toby. But the baby keeps crying and Sarah, while telling him a story to make him sleep, inadvertently conjures from a fantasy world the Goblin King who steals the child and brings him to his castle in the middle of a labyrinth. Sarah has to rescue him before midnight, or the baby will became a goblin...
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    August 8, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "A' mazing tale of never-ending fantasy."

    15-year-old Sarah accidentally wishes her baby half-brother, Toby, away to the Goblin King Jareth who will keep Toby if Sarah does not complete his Labyrinth in 13 hours.

    REV
    ... read moreIEW
    Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is at her wit's end when she is babysitting her half brother Toby who won't stop crying and wishes the goblins from her favorite book, The Labyrinth, would come and take him away. When this actually happens, she must face the goblin king Jareth (David Bowie) and find her way through his labyrinth to rescue Toby before he becomes a goblin himself in thirteen hours. Along the way, she meets a variety of fascinating creatures and faces all sorts of obstacles, for Jareth will not give up the child easily in this strange world where "anything is possible and nothing is what it seems".

    One of its biggest strengths is the wonderful puppetry by the Henson Company. Comprising a large part of the cast, these are really beautifully designed and skillfully used. Combined with some really excellent surreal set design, there is a great atmosphere of fantasy and unreality that is necessary for the story. Things like "the Helping Hands" and the staircase scene late in the movie are great.

    But the sets and the puppets are only part of the charm of Labyrinth. I found that the dialog in the movie, while at times a little corny, is generally witty and humorous. And the casting of Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in their respective roles worked really well. Jennifer Connelly gave a nice performance and Bowie was incredible as the Goblin King. Shari Weiser was a good choice for the role of Hoggle too. Lots of humor and action help keep this movie rolling at a good pace so that it never gets boring. And then there is the soundtrack - wonderful music from David Bowie.

    All in all, this is a charming, funny and entertaining movie that is great for the whole family and stands up to repeated viewings.

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Critic Reviews

Steven Rea
August 9, 2007
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

An innovative mix of sophisticated puppetry and special effects, Labyrinth has all the components of classic myth. Full Review

Desson Thomson
August 2, 2007
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Unfortunately, this contemporary (at least, for the era) fairy tale, directed and co-written by Muppets creator Jim Henson, never sets a timely tone beyond the 1980s. It remains disappointingly tether... Full Review

Wesley Morris
June 29, 2007
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Henson's imagination is boundless. But his movie has no pep. It's a dream in neutral. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
June 14, 2007
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

A real masterpiece of puppetry and special effects, an absolutely gorgeous children's fantasy movie. Full Review

Nina Darnton
May 21, 2003
Nina Darnton, New York Times

A remarkable achievement. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Great energy and creativity went into the construction, production and direction of this movie, but it doesn't have a story that does justice to the production. Full Review

Thomas Caldwell
April 4, 2012
Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy

Labyrinth has stood the test of time astonishingly well. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 15, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Cinema Sight

Muppet creator Jim Henson went dark, but not too serious in this entertaining, but meandering trifle. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 15, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

Surreal coming-of-age fantasy -- with Muppets. Full Review

James Plath
September 26, 2009
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

Henson's vision and the wonderful bag of puppetry tricks he turns to are enough to make "Labyrinth" a winner. Full Review

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    • Jareth: Everything I've done, I've done for you. I move the stars for no one.
    • Jareth: You remind me of the babe.
    • Goblin: What babe?
    • Jareth: The babe with the power.
    • Goblin: What power?
    • Jareth: Power of voodoo.
    • Goblin: Who do?
    • Jareth: You do.
    • Goblin: [poking Ludo with a biting stick] Try this one on for size, you big hippie!
    • Sarah: [during battle] Ludo, call the rocks!
    • Hoggle: [sadly, after Sarah broke free from the crystal] Oh, she'll never forgive me. What have I done? I've lost my only friend. That's what I've done.
    • The Junk Lady: What's the matter, my dear, don't you like your toys?
    • Sarah: [comes to her senses] It's all junk!
    • The Junk Lady: [picks up a music box] Well, what about this? This is not junk, eh?
    • Sarah: [smashes music box] Yes, it is!
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Labyrinth Trivia

  • Who played the Goblin King in the movie Labyrinth?  Answer »
  • What is the name of Sarah's brother that she is trying to save in "The Labyrinth"?   Answer »
  • Who played Jareth in the movie Labyrinth?  Answer »
  • How many Oscars did the movie Pan's Labyrinth win at the 2007 Oscars?  Answer »
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