LABYRINTH

UK, 1986, 101 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Connolly, David Bowie.
Directed by Jim Henson.

Labyrinth is a fantasy from its creator, Jim Henson. He directed the film and his studios and workshops provided the scenery and the characters. Henson, well known for his work with the Muppets, was the creator of many series and movies including the classic, Dark Crystal. His workshops provided the characters for The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies.

This is a film about a young adolescent girl, her resentment against her step-mother, and anger with her step-brother and wishing that the goblins would take him. Her wish is fulfilled and she goes on a quest of self-understanding as she goes to rescue the baby from the goblin king. Davie Bowie is the goblin king - and provides the songs for the film as well. She journeys through the labyrinth, meets some Henson style creatures, encounters the goblins - and finds that she has control over her imagination, makes the goblin king vanish, recovers Toby and celebrates with the Goblins. A Copy of the Wizard of Oz is on her shelf - and perhaps gives a clue to Labyrinth as a variation on the Oz theme. The screenplay was written by Monty Python actor and writer director, Terry Jones. Star Jennifer Connolly was to win an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind. The film was popular - but some how or other lacks the magic of Henson other films.

1. Fantasy, 80s style? For what audience? Boys or girls, both? What age group?

2. The work of Jim Henson, his imagination, creatures, fantasy adventures?

3. The American world and its ordinariness, Sarah in that world? The transition to the goblin land and kingdom? Layout and decor, special effects? David Bowie's musical score and songs?

4. Sarah, her age and experience, love for her father, rehearsing the romantic play and then coming back to reality? Not communicating with her father? Her anger with Toby and wishing him away? The king of the goblins and his visit? The effect of the loss, he change of heart, going to search for the baby? The effect of her experiences and growing up?

5. The visuals of the labyrinth, the kingdom, externals, interiors? The throne room, the room of stairs etc.? The crystal ball and seeing the present and future in the ball?

6. Sarah, her adventures, Hoggle and his help, his misleading her? The kindly monster? The adventure, the threats? The passing of time? The mischief from the goblins? Her becoming lost?

7. Her courage, keeping going, the rescue, the happy ending?

8. The king of the goblins and David Bowie's style, songs? Mischief, taking the baby, the threats? Vanishing when Sarah wanted him to?

9. The various characters, Hoggle, the monster, the goblins - personalities, style, the adventures?

10. A pleasing fantasy, a young girl, her change of heart, the world of magic and goblins?