The Real Meaning of Labyrinth, Neverending Story, & The Princess Bride! 80's Fantasy Explained!

This video is a re-upload of a video published last year. The original video was blocked in a few countries for copyright issues. I fixed the issues so that fantasy fans in all countries can enjoy it.
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Are you obsessed with re-watching classic fantasy films, specifically those from the 1980's? Me too! Because I’ve seen films like Labyrinth (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), The NeverEnding Story (1984) and Conan the Barbarian (1982) so many times, I’ve begun to understand the deeper themes, symbols and meanings in them.
In this video I will reveal the hidden meanings you might have missed from your favorite 80’s fantasy movies. Let me know if you agree with my interpretations of these films in the comments below, and what your interpretations of these films are. Also, let me know what your favorite fantasy movies are, from any decade.
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Instrumental produced by Chuki.
/ chukimusic
#Labyrinth #theneverendingstory #conanthebarbarian #theprincessbride #80s #fantasy

[@StoryDive]

My review of the new Dark Crystal Age of Resistance Trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6i7XniiiJ1ratU

[@mprice10170580]

At the beginning of The Labyrinth you get a glimpse of all of the things Sarah treasures like, her favorite books, toys and a playbill with David Bowie on the front. Her fight to save her brother was against the material things she thought she needed

[@WorgenGrrl]

The best line in all of Fantasy Films...."As You Wish". Since that movie, I have always used that line with those I love.

[@Equalshares]

"You shall not pass" is a good contender though

[@Equalshares]

I mean but is there really one greatest line and all the fantasy writingor are there so many phenomenal and amazing things that are very equal in the feelings that they give

[@WorgenGrrl]

Jareth was never an "Evil Villian" and I hesitate to call him a "Villian". I would prefer, Antagonist or even Foil. Jareth is basically a catalyst for her change by taking her brother, then making her go through the Labyrinth.

[@irishcream718]

La p pop lplpp pop up

[@ArtofLunatik]

The never ending story aged well. I thought i would see it as an adult and not like it as much but i noticed adult themes i never noticed as a kid.

[@KompetenteEnte]

my opinion is that the labyrinth is about our world of society. How people are blended and become sheep of the system. And it shows the way out of it. So much symbolism like left and right, the light, the crystal that transforms into a snake and after that into a goblin, the owls at the beginning (the owl is a big symbol), these 13 hours to get him back, all the lyrics of the songs by David bowie and so much more. The movie is full of allegoric symbols. Another great movie or trilogy based on society in terms of symbolism is the matrix Sorry for my English i'm german

[@kevinsim1514]

I watched Labyrinth twice today. The 2nd time, I noticed the camera was giving very literal and visual cues : the camera deliberately gazed at Sarah’s soft toys (which are later imagined as goblins), that wooden labyrinth toy, another soft toy (which is later imagines as Didymus), and finally a whole row of books with their titles on display on their spines (which you rightly pointed out re-imagines scenes from Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz, et al).

[@kayvaanmcsharrowkyn6901]

As a Fellow 80s Youth, Just Let me Say that not only did you HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD with your interpretations, But You did it in a way that WOULDN'T SPOIL the movies for someone of the younger generation that may not have have seen these movies. Or EVEN EVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE!! My son (13 yrs old) Was going through some of my "Stuff" marked as "Kevin's Things" at my Moms house up in her attic. Well when 2 hours had passed WITHOUT him making a peep (WHICH IS WHAT ALARMED ME LOL!) I went up the ladder into the attic only to find him tucked away into one of my FAVORITE Old Bean bags, and My WELL WORN AND CHERISHED Copy of "The Phantom Tollbooth " in his hands, all ATTENTION COMPLETELY focused on those same pages that brought me SO MUCH JOY AND LOVE FOR MY LOCAL LIBRARY, AND THE ALL THE WORLD'S OF FANTASY THAT EXISTED IN THOSE PAGES. I saw myself in him for a brief moment...Before he morphed back into my son.. Thank you for the trip back to my childhood. And you AREN'T BIASED....THE 80s WERE THE WELLSPRING FOR SOO MUCH ICONIC FANTASY LORE, MOVIES, AND GAMES AND HANDS DOWN SOME.OF THE BEST (SOMETIMES DANGEROUS..LOL) TOYS EVER MADE. GOOD WORK MY FRIEND. AND THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES

[@leostaar]

80’s movies were awesome! I bet a lot us could quote these movies word for word 😂

[@natashao0517]

These movies are the shit! I’m a 80’s baby too and loved all these growing up

[@julichio6241]

I think we are so lucky to have experienced this in our childhood (84 here) ❤️

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

So glad you including Conan. That and Excalibur are perhaps two of my favourite films ever, certainly of the 1980s!

[@willmfrank]

I've long known that many of the visuals in "Conan the Barbarian" are inspired by Frank Frazetta paintings, but I only just noticed that the "Princess Bride" promotional illustration (at 11:22) is a visual allusion to the work of Maxfield Parrish.

[@jessehilton1337]

Fantastic video! And spot on with your observations, in my opinion. Just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to hopefully seeing many videos like this one :)

[@harleysearcy6573]

I actually enjoyed listening to your views, I specifically looked up other’s reviews to see how they differed from my own. I think I will now have a movie day in my near future with my son because we are learning about morals, value, reflection, hope, peace etc… did not think about watching these movies to actually portray these. Thanks! 🙂

[@daysleeper7209]

I've never watched Conan the Barbarian, but I love the other 3 too (as well as some of the other movies that you showed parts of but didn't discuss as one of your four). Regarding the moment in Princess Bride, when the grandson protests that Buttercup can't marry Humperdinck, I had previously interpreted that as just showing us that he's gotten more invested in the story and the characters despite hinself. Your interpretation is one I hadn't thought of before, and has given me another way to look at it.

[@StoryDive]

I think your interpretation is valid too!

[@chadcastagana9181]

@@StoryDive If they remake the film today for more mature audiences, they will throw in a sex scene - - I wonder if Buttercup will be a well endowed princess, wink wink ;-)

[@michaellittle4506]

You never seen Conan the barbarian ? That seems unbelievable. I never seen princess bride, but I've seen Conan well over 30x and I've seen a remake over 2x. It's one of Arnold Swartzennager's best movies. Watch it. I'll try to see Princess bride, but it looks lame. LoL 😆 don't judge a book or movie by it's cover

[@edredwhittingham4417]

I don't know if you're still reading comments on this video, but I just wanted to say, for what it's worth, how grateful I am for it! Your explanations are concise and beautifully put. I had my life profoundly touched by The NeverEnding Story just over a year ago (although, I saw a version that does not open with the Limahl song at the beginning). I found it profoundly (and frankly earth-shatteringly) enchanting and mysterious, and it sent me on a 'spiritual quest' of sorts. I am now writing my own novel because of it. I also love Labyrinth, although some of its deeper themes and meanings I think are open to interpretation. My interpretion is that it is about holding onto your inner child, embodied by Toby, meanwhile the goblins represent flawed people or ways of being. I haven't yet seen Conan the Barbarian or The Princess Bride, but I look forward to them both!

[@the1tigglet]

There was a myth claiming that Labyrinth was actually the reincarnation of Sarah where she came back to the labyrinth over and over, but the movie time, she actually began to change, which is why characters become pleasantly surprised at her change, and became excited because this time this time it will be different with her. She wins in the end halting her reincarnation in the labyrinth realm.

[@GrrrwolfWherewolf]

Simply put, very well done!

[@ehlonnaedwards73]

LEGEND IS A GREAT MOVIE AND I WAS OBSESSED WITH IT FROM THE AGE OF 4-9

[@gabrieljordan8015]

I was born in 1983 and unfortunately don't remember watching any of these movies during the 80s but I remember enjoying them immensely during the 90s and it's pretty awesome that were still talking about them in the year 2022.

[@seanmiller292]

I love the Southern Oracle scene of the Neverending story and how it describes self doubt and a persons shadow.

[@baldbeardedbloke6887]

That's the one I was thinking of. Someone should make a movie or a miniseries or series about The Princess Bride.

[@anyarogan625]

I love the film of the Labyrinth I’m a huge fan of the Labyrinth

[@jkdbuck7670]

I had no idea this movie bombed. I loved it as a child. Watched it a million times.

[@Girundy]

Mind blown on Labyrinth and Neverending Story

[@manchovie3480]

Labyrinth was one of my all time favorites. That movie made me fall in love with Jennifer Connelly as an actor. She is easily my favorite actor. Requiem for a Dream is a a masterpiece and she is a big part of that. Not to mention she is gorgeous and has influenced who I have developed a crush on to this day. I always liked Red Sonya better than Conan.

[@andrewmclellan1623]

Thank you very much! I always saw Fred Savage as a framing device and appreciate the new perspective

[@cr8iveamboy775]

Well done!! Btw, these are also among my favorite films of the 80s.. yes, it was a golden age of fantasy (as well as a focus of coming of age films like those of John Hughes or Rated R, High School, comedies) It is interesting how many movies (and cartoons i.e. He-man, Voltron & Zorro) whose content from that decade, all also seem to feature a character with a Sword!! Nearly everyone that you cited and more.. Another running theme of 80s entertainment is that of Magic or some form of enchantment or power.. both patterns strongly associated to Star Wars.. i.e. Lightsabers and the Force.. Though somewhat fantasy or scifi, the antithesis of these modern retelling of parables and Campbellian journeys are stories that of a dystopian future.. Philip K. Dick is a prime example of this trend, i.e. Blade Runner and Total Recall as well as many Cold War / Military based fears of technology, hubris or threat to the American way of life, greed & ego for its place in the world.. whether we feel like the underdog, one against many, escaping the shadows of our past or a stranger in a strange land..Well, I definitely could go deeper with the symbolism but thanks for these perspectives and fresh walk down memory lane! They are even more relevant to us now as adults who have enjoyed them as children.. Besides remakes, the successors today are films like Harry Potter, Marvel Superhero movies and Disney 3.0!

[@anyarogan625]

David Bowie is so good at the role of Jareth the Goblin King

[@AleadaA]

So I remember a girl in college named Laura "Bowie" Ruth who imitated the character - Sarah in one scene says the exact words to take the baby to the goblins. Laura was obsessed with The Labyrinth and David Bowie - only this was in the mid 70's - I am looking this up and I see it was created in the mid 80's so either I took a time machine - or this is an alternative universe because something is wrong time wise here!

[@Kat-593]

Maybe she was a time traveler lol

[@zvimur]

Have read.Neverending Story before watching movie. While the first half of book is followed closely (minus a swarm of hive minded spiders, Igramul the Many), The boy Bastian gets stuck in Fantasia. The journey back makes the Labyrinth look like a cheerful picnick. Some of it was shown in NS2.

[@willlyon7129]

Zvi mur Lets just say the actual book was a lot better than the movie. It’s a lot more imaginative and complex.

[@AleadaA]

That second half of the book is very complex and in some ways reminds me of Buddhism version of grasping and a sort of hell in the way it traps people - it would be very complex for a movie - I need to listen to it again on audio because it was surprising at such a deep rabbit hole it takes you down!

[@magusofthelibrary]

I got chills. Great job

[@ef6957]

Great work brother

[@davidbowieweee3926]

THANK U I NEEDED THIS FOR SOCIOLOGY

[@mark666snick]

Thank you for the great video ^_^

[@jessjohns8165]

Great video! 👍

[@jessebrown98]

You forgot the best fantasy film ever made. Legend

[@michaelfriedman2486]

I loved the Willow shout-out. "You ARE great!" Excellent Princess Bride analysis. I want to know your thoughts: Does every PB fantasy character have a dark side? We know Humperdink, Vizzini, and Rugen, but reanalyze the heroes: Wesley is okay becoming DPR if it means preserving himself to reunite for True Love. Buttercup is okay with killing herself when she does not get her way in the castle. Fezzik and Inigo (my childhood hero with Madmartigan) are okay being complicit in the Princess' murder by kidnapping her for hire. Each "hero" is perfectly willing to justifying the means to support their noble ends - possible tie in to your beyond brilliant Blurring the Bully Video.

[@AshNorton]

Interesting question, Michael. Ultimately, I think we’d be over analyzing those characters. As StoryDive said, Princess Bride is both satire and celebration of fairy tales. It’s charm relies upon Goldman’s (the writer) smooth talking, his unctuous humor and romanticism. Like a dime store romance novel, the “dark sides” you’ve listed are summarily excused by us (the audience) because they are comically chivalrous. Wesley reveals the Dread Pirate Roberts is really a facade, a reputation in word but not in deed. Similarly, Fezzik and Indigo are hired goons that are kind and sweet. The irony isn’t lost on Goldman or us. We know they are harmless. Buttercup’s marriage to not her true love but a wicked prince obliges her to suicide. That’s the convention Goldman sets up so our dashing hero Wesley can save her at the last second with a remarkably suave boob joke. We shouldn’t wonder too much about plot holes in romantic tales. (They are stories not History.) Goldman expertly and delightfully capitalizes on that grey area between storyteller, story, and audience. Many times more so in the book -which I recommend more than any other.

[@oldauntzibby4395]

@@AshNorton Buttercup's only option being suicide is a typical old-fashioned sexist fairytale choice. In modern fairytales and retellings, the women characters are allowed to take action and aren't passive. If Princess Bride had been written now, or by someone younger than Goldman, perhaps her character would have been different. But I agree with both Michael Friedman and you, that each character has a good side and bad side, but because the whole story is told in a lighthearted manner all the evil is glossed over and forgiven. If the story had been told in a darker way, it would have been scary as hell with the soul-sucking machine and torture and deaths and threats of rape and murder.

[@AshNorton]

According to Brynne Ramella for ScreenRant [1], “Goldman's most notable change from book to film is the character of Buttercup. While her beauty remains consistent from page to screen, Buttercup's personality was changed for the movie. The princess is pretty dim in the book, but in the movie, Buttercup is outspoken and cunning. It's a welcome change, as Hollywood in the 1980s was not in need of any additional shallow female characters. This change allowed for Buttercup to become an iconic female character in movie history. She's still a damsel in distress, but she has a mind of her own.” The folks at Shmoop [2] point out that Buttercup develops in the novel: "Buttercup might be jealous and childish for much of this book, but she's also clever and devoted, and these are things that she wishes people valued in her a little more highly.” By books end, “she insists on being treated like an adult and like an equal. The truth is that she constantly has to fight to be heard as a person instead of just seen as a beauty.” I very much recommend everyone read the novel to better understand [3] Goldman’s motifs [4] and satire [5]. (Warning: all these hyperlinks contain spoilers, of course.) But it is so very important to, in the words of Mark who posted at GoodReads [6], “develop a sense of humor if you're going to read Mr. Goldman.” Sources [1] screenrant.com/princess-bride-book-movie-differences/ [2] www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/princess-bride/buttercup [3] aux.avclub.com/the-princess-bride-embraced-the-tricky-style-and-tone-o-1798286440 [4] www.sparknotes.com/lit/princessbride/motifs/ [5] www.tor.com/2015/12/24/meta-irony-narrative-frames-and-the-princess-bride/ [6] www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1336168-is-goldman-intentionally-an-asshole

[@jessicalunar7857]

You explained everything the best of the best

[@brucenatelee]

I didn't see the Deadpool Christmas movie, but Fred Savage actually replays the role as the kid in bed while Deadpool reads to him.

[@martinmalenak366]

there is no Deadpool christmas movie, what you saw was an promotional ad for PG-rated Deadpool 2. You probably know by now, it's been 2 years since this comment.

[@tywire7288]

You're opinion and thoughts really showing in this video keep up the good work dude!

[@malibumaxmusic]

Thankuuu for this

[@jennytriago9333]

About to watch this, hope you don't ruin my childhood 😅

[@Otzchieem]

Don’t know Excalibur but the rest I watched in the 80s and have to stay they all still stand up to the test of time. Now I want to see Excalibur

[@c.t.651]

Great vid.

[@nope5657]

The opening of this video got me thinking about 80s nostalgia. While it's calmed down now, it was a massive pop cultural force for a long time. It seems nerdom in general is fixated on the 80s - the movies, the shows, the cartoons, the music, - more than any other decade. This is largely due to the age of said people who talk about this stuff, of course. A lot of nerd spaces online skew millennial and a little older, and those people were kids when this stuff was around. But I also think there is something genuine to be said about the 80s when it comes to art and entertainment. It was the decade when ideas seemed to be at their peak. There is "anything goes" feel to 80s pop culture that makes it stand the test of time for people. It seems to be the decade where filmmaking seemed to reach a natural next evolution. Inspirations from the past were being reshaped with then up-to-date technology and then-modern viewpoints. Studio films seemed to take chances left and right. Horror, action, comedy, fantasy...all of it was having a moment in the 80s. Some of it bled into the 90s and even a little into the early 2000s. But take a look at any summer movie season of the 80s compared to the last decade or so of summer seasons now. It paints a wildly contrasting picture. The 80s were the pinnacle of choice for film. Various genres could all vie for box office at it wasn't just one winner and bunch of flops. Competition was more healthy and movies stayed in theaters longer. It was a time when opening 2nd didn't automatically mean failure.

[@Equalshares]

I like most of what you said about labyrinth. I just watched it last night and had these deep feelings that there's something even deeper in the symbolism that Jim Henson was trying to say. The fact that there's a baby involved and jarath coveting the baby seems to be hinting at the darker realm of darker things going on in Hollywood

[@mikeym88]

…almost symbolizing sacrificing her brother for a better life. A hard truth.

[@huntergirl7275]

Maze ≠ labyrinth. A maze has many false starts that lead you astray. In a labyrinth (in the real world) all paths lead to the center.

[@DallyASMR]

I've been trying to find a KZbin video that's been bugging me that i can't find it's a video that theorizes that Dark Crystal, Wizard of Oz, Labyrinth, and Never Ending Story are connected and every time i try and find a trace of this video there's nothing. If any of you know about this video and where i can find it please tell me.

[@msrainbowbrite]

woah ... woah ... woah ..... Thats not fair to call Sarah selfish. Sarah was not asked, she was informed she was required to babysit her brother. "you don't even ask anymore". Toby went into her room and stole her teddybear Lancelot which means, her parents didn't stop him from going into Sarah's room and taking something.

[@alexrose20]

dude. its a baby.

[@msrainbowbrite]

@@alexrose20 read my comment better

[@MarkDAllen]

I'd forgotten that Harry Potter appeared in Labyrinth. @ 0:58

[@tmharrigan30]

Omg good eye But I think that was a woman lol

[@wahwahmels41]

I thought the firey was the devil shaping themselves as fun and uplifting people but with a sinister hidden agenda.

[@Lyude02]

im a 90s kid, i only watched the neverending story as a child. but ive seen the other movies as an adult and still think they are great movies. the effects might be dated but i got used to it

[@loslobos786]

Love all of these movies I have all of them on Blu-ray EXCEPT Neverending story...I will have to remedy that?!

[@marceloviana524]

The force inside!

[@oberstul1941]

As Oliver Twist once said... can I have more? Excellent content, mate.

[@zvimur]

Regarding Thulsa Doom, my gripe with Star Wars is that it stuck J E Jones in a groove dubbing a bodybuilder in a black cloak. Also, always thought Conan's breaking the spell and killing Doom, was because flashback to mother's death.

[@camsterdam3896]

How do expect to break the trance? Memories sound about right to me , he had his Moment of Clarity...

[@Ruylopez778]

I'm probably biased but 80s movies (both for children and adults) seemed to have so much more symbolism, meaning and resonance than anything after. It seems everything became ironic, or post ironic, and rather shallow or unoriginal, despite being sophisticated in some cases. Enjoyable but forgettable, basically.

[@zvimur]

BTW, Ende's having a comeback with a live action adaptation of Jim Button and the train driver.

[@micaylab1]

Would you please make another video like this with Legend, Return to Oz and Time Bandits in it.

[@StoryDive]

All good suggestions. I'll think about it

[@laurarossi4863]

Exactly

[@willlyon7129]

11:27 Which is sad but true. How our society cases only about profits than the oral traditions of storytelling in this age of reboots, franchises and nostalgia.

[@AleadaA]

many people care more for the arts, that is movies, stories and visuals - video games - music - and we make money to stay alive and have a shelter, food, clothing and perhaps raise a family - the arts and other pleasures are the reward and if we are really lucky we work at something we can love or tolerate - society is us and we are being fooled into thinking we love only profits!

[@recordontheradio7461]

*cough* stranger things *cough*

[@headshotpros888]

What about Legend with Tom Cruise?

[@DiseasedDreams]

That moment when....you see the "nothing" happening before your eyes. I.E. free speech and creativity are both being suppressed by people, who's feelings easily get hurt.

[@vampiremonkeys9599]

Pleaseeeeee do Legend

[@candicelitrenta8890]

You left out the Beastmaster that was a masterpiece

[@christopherflanagan9626]

Watching Labyrinth at 40 hits WAAAY different. It's a fairy tale about sexual awakening for girls. Notice the conflict begins when she goes from not wanting "the baby" to wanting "the baby" which she must get from Jareth a sort of idealized "dream man." Even the Goblin King's "bulge" was intentional. The ticking clock counting down the 13 hours she has to get the baby represents woman's limited fertility - a well known cliché. The Labyrinth is actually considered symbolic of pregnancy and labor, the "laborinth." Hoggle represents a father - a wrinkled old man who is not "sexually appealing" in any way, but with a loving bond, who will do anything, even risk death to help her. The way he is first introduced is something most children (hopefully) only experience with their father (or brothers). 3:47 their accents weren't an accident - they say "head" like 20 times in this "group activity" scene 4:00 this character is giving her a preview of her future if she decides to just swear off men forever - essentially stay a "child."

[@TheSn4keE4ter]

For a deeper analysis of labyrinth and neverending story, switch on ODD TV channel.

[@stephenpearce846]

So (Labyrinth) was the whole thing her imagination, and the ending basically saying she will continue to use her imagination into adulthood as we all should to a certain extent? Was really looking for this answer when the title said “ending explained.” You really didn’t explain the ending…. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@StoryDive]

It doesn't say Ending Explained in the title it says the true meaning explained and I think it is in her head to some extent but she is also reacting to outside influences.

[@StoryDive]

Basically it is an allegory. It would be like saying is the wonderland all in Alice's head? It's not actually that relevant compared to what the allegory represents

[@baldbeardedbloke6887]

I was and indeed still am Hateing most of the Remakes and Reboots of what I am regarding as Cinematic and Televisual Nothingness that was on In The Cinema and On Television before The Strikes However I Would kill to see someone Merge The Never Ending Story into One Good Movie or A Television Series or A Television Miniseries. Or Remake Labyrinth Or Remake The Dark Crystal or Remake that other film that features Fred Savage The name of which I remember right now.

[@slowfudgeballs9517]

My view is that the whole labyrinth stuff was in her head brought on by the owl being. It wreaks of psychedelic trip just like the book of revelations does. Humans have evolved our wisdom from psychedelics for thousands of years so it's only natural our philosophy would match that found in the underworld of psychedelics (personal relationships over materialism and selfishness). Pinocchio is like a psychedelic trip too but for men. It's about going into the belly of the beast to rescue their father of their sins (responsibility). The whole reason to tell stories is to inform others how to act in situations. Humanity has been using psychedelics forever to discover those themes and archetypes so a lot of stories sound strange. 100% you looked too little into the movies.

[@sofiaballardini4257]

Just Song of devid bayen so Jim heson

[@DeconvertedMan]

where the bleep are the good films like these now? serously.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I guess many millenials consider these movies "inconceivable".

[@jonpowell4246]

I think you did just fine, but you did skip out on one or two good f 80s fantasy movies.

[@skjelm6363]

I disagree slightly with the Neverending story analysis - too bland for what it really tells in depth. But the movie after all don't capture the wholeness of the message. It is definitely not simple "Fantasy equals freedom" - it is about the complexity the good, the dangers and depth of "making stories" and the true motivator.

[@kodcx2]

Me: Wait David Bowie is the Goblin King. GoblinSlayer: GOBLIN Me:Yeah David Bowie is apparently the Goblin King. Goblin Slayer: Must slay David Bowie. Me: But He's already dead. Goblin Slayer: No he was popably playing Dead

[@thecasualreviewer2148]

What's with the ghetto rap beat???...... Ugh, gross

[@kevinsim1514]

I watched Labyrinth twice today. The 2nd time, I noticed the camera was giving very literal and visual cues : the camera deliberately gazed at Sarah’s soft toys (which are later imagined as goblins), that wooden labyrinth toy, another soft toy (which is later imagines as Didymus), and finally a whole row of books with their titles on display on their spines (which you rightly pointed out re-imagines scenes from Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz, et al).