The Failure & Redemption of Labyrinth (1986)

[@Anynom]

David Bowie. The only man who could be surrounded by Muppets and still be the most bizarre person in the room

[@MementoMorituri]

...and still remain a badass too. He never lost his cool cred.

[@irishgotee]

I feel that Michael Jackson would make David Bowie leave the room and lock the door behind him

[@mightyfilm]

Someone's never seen Tim Curry in Muppet Treasure Island.

[@TopsideCrisis346]

I heard somewhere that Michael Caine was able to work with the Muppets on Christmas Carol because he regarded them as fellow actors, while Tim Curry was able to work with them on Treasure Island because he regarded them as fellow Muppets. 😏 I suppose Bowie regarded all of his co-stars - human and Muppet - as fellows, each in their own right. He was a human among humans, a freak among freaks, and a visionary among visionaries. Of all his characters, I should think the Goblin King shall be his best remembered.

[@mightyfilm]

@@TopsideCrisis346 Oddly enough, Bowie would hire Henson to make a music video, but shelved it because the supposedly realistic Bowie puppets looked too weird.

[@rad4924]

I never realised how many absolute legends worked on Labyrinth. David Bowie, Jim Henson, George Lucas, Terry Jones... that's a hell of a collaboration.

[@MrBeardsley]

Gates McFadden also did choreography and puppet movement for 1984’s Muppets Take Manhattan and 1985’s Dreamchild, but wasn’t credited in either due to a lack of union membership (as a result she was only credited as an actor for MTM and only got a “special thanks” mention for Dreamchild). Henson had always planned for her to play Sarah’s mother in Labyrinth as well as her usual choreographer duties, but ironically securing her union card ultimately prevented her from appearing in the movie. Fun fact, to keep her choreography and acting careers separate she’s usually credited under her first name Cheryl for the former and middle name Gates for the latter.

[@Dorelaxen]

Not 10 seconds in and Dan's already talking about Bowie's unit. Perfect.

[@MrBeardsley]

It’s the proverbial elephant in the room, may as well be upfront about it

[@itzybitzyspyder]

It was the only Muppet not provided by Jim Henson.

[@chadcovey1626]

Did you expect otherwise?? 😂😂

[@chadcovey1626]

​@@itzybitzyspyderlegit almost spit out my drink

[@davealaya]

David Bowie was a pdf file. The term "baby groupie" was coined specifically for him.

[@mrf19741]

Labyrinth is the movie that made my cousin fall in love with David Bowie. To this day, she still watches it faithfully and can recite the script word for word and memorized every song. When I finally saw Labyrinth for the first time on cable, I thought it was Jim Henson's crowning achievement with all of the humorous, magical, and fantasy elements in the film. RIP Jim Henson and David Bowie.

[@selkie76]

I saw Labyrinth ("Worshipped at the Church of David Bowie's Crotch", as my friends call it these days ^.~) at the cinema when it was first released. Jim Henson can take heart in the fact that some of us recognised what a magnificent work it was right from the start. ^_^ 'twas also the most favourite film of a particularly beloved friend of mine, who sadly died last year. She had all the music played at her funeral (including - in a fine display of her sense of humour - "Underground", as the coffin was lowered into the grave). Her headstone bears the appropriate legend, "It's only forever - not long at all".

[@kadosho02]

So sorry for your loss, your friend definitely loved this classic treasure. To the memories

[@CERTAIND00M]

God, that's a great epitaph.

[@Doomchild2XL]

Great, now I'm crying.

[@TheNightBadger]

Echoing what someone else has said - that is a really great epitaph.

[@kristinazubic9669]

💜

[@kiplingslastcat]

My 90 year old dad walked through the room while I was watching this and said "That man has a very fine beard." Then he just walked out.

[@radwolf76]

He really does.

[@TitularHeroine]

Your dad is a very wise man.

[@daviddalrymple2284]

When I read this comment, my first thought was that your dad was talking about David Bowie rather than Dan.

[@fireaza]

Anyone else think it's kinda weird that so many men are uncomfortable complimenting another man's appearance, but this goes right out the window if it's about his facial hair?

[@kareningram6093]

He's right.

[@pastpatour]

They walked a really thin line there, trying to make Jareth alluring, ambiguous, menacing, but not so creepy and sinister that it alienates the audience. If I had to choose my favorite 80s movie it would be a tie between Labyrinth and Clue

[@jonw8694]

ehhhh... you also have to turn a blind eye that he is a grown man chasing after a girl in her early teens. When you realize that, it tip over the line into creepy.

[@Deadloke]

I saw Labyrinth when it came out in the UK in '86 and loved it! But then I was one of those weird kids that had been blown away by The Dark Crystal. I watched and re-watched them repeatedly on VHS, sometimes before going to school. Both are masterpieces of imagination and storytelling.

[@Monkeyboy1138]

When you eventually watch Legend, pay close attention to the sheer volume of stuff floating in the air in literally every scene. Dust, dandelions, bubbles, glitter. Always something floating around.

[@Statsy10]

Indeed... the movie should have an allergy warning! 😂

[@rottensquid]

There's a modern video game called Ghost of Tsushima that does the same thing, filling out its elegant world with particles. It fills the scene with red maple leaves, yellow ginkgo leaves, snowflakes, fireflies, etc. It creates a gorgeously otherworldly atmosphere without being fantastical. It strongly reminded me of Legend. I think my favorite shot in Legend was the death of the unicorn under that cherry blossom tree (or maybe it was a jacaranda) with the violet petals falling all around it. Just stunning. Though I haven't seen the movie in decades, it kinda stayed with me.

[@Monkeyboy1138]

@@rottensquid yes, Ghost of Tsushima is gorgeous - and the particles are an important part of the story. In Legend at first it felt the same, creating this gorgeous otherworldly feel (Ridley really can shoot a movie), but as you get near the end and he particles are literally large pieces of glitter, it got distracting. The unicorn death scene is beautifully heartbreaking.

[@rottensquid]

@@Monkeyboy1138 I mean, after a certain amount of screen time, Legend's terribleness overwhelms even its stunning beauty. They threw away the script and just made up lines as they went along. You can't do that and expect an actual story to just miraculously happen all by itself.

[@Monkeyboy1138]

@@rottensquid you’d be surprised how many movies began production without a script, a script and story that changed during production, no real plan, etc. that went on to be successes - Iron Man, Jurassic Park 3, every Star Wars except the Last Jedi, Casablanca, Jaws, This is Spinal Tap, Sunset Boulevard and Lawrence of Arabia to name just a few.

[@jameskiely2788]

The biggest obstacle to doing anything with Labyrinth is Bowie is so synonymous with the film... what does a sequel even look like without his involvement. Add in Hollywood's CGI resurrections and I am more afraid than excited about any follow up right now.

[@gigletrig]

The original hoggle muppet is currently in the lost luggage resale shop in alabama! Hes not for sale but you can see him!

[@UltimateGamerCC]

i'm glad that Hedwart has a home out there. Hoggle: "IT'S HOGGLE!"

[@rottensquid]

Technically, it's not the original Hoggle, because the original latex disintegrated. That stuff doesn't last. It's an amateur restoration over the original skeleton. Still pretty cool though.

[@momosgarage]

I’ve always assumed that every goblin in the Labyrinth world was originally a child that was "wished away to the cornfields" by an angry sibling, and since no one attempted to rescue them in 13-days they grew into old goblins.

[@williammkydde]

I've read about this interpretation somewhere too. It makes sense: throughout the European folklore, children lost or stolen by fairies, goblins etc. end up turning into those creatures.

[@irvyne6111]

Can you imagine going to the cinemas have having the choice of seeing Labyrinth, Ferris Bueller, Top Gun or Short Circuit? What a time. I never even knew that Labyrinth was a thing until we rented it from the video store. I was absolutely blown away and must have watched it a thousand times. I wish I had seen it on the big screen.

[@LeatherRebel75]

Dan, you'll like Legend, if for anything, for Tim Curry's deliciously over the top portrayal of the villain Darkness. It's glorious to behold.

[@mikegrossberg8624]

In my opinion, Tim Curry's performance, and the music by Tangerine Dream, were the only things worth watching the movie for

[@tonybaggett1984]

I wonder what Jim Henson could come up with today. His mind was so advanced as far as visual effects. I bet with his mastery of practical effects and modern CGI he’d make something so visually stunning it’d blow your mind.

[@rottensquid]

I agree. I'd guess he'd be doing something like Where the Wild Things Are, seamlessly combining practical and CG effects. He wouldn't have a problem with CGI. He used whatever worked.

[@digitaljanus]

When they were younger, my kids watched Splash and Bubbles, a Jim Henson Company production that bridged the gap by putting mocap sensors on Muppets as part of rendering the CG animation. I hope someone is continuing that kind of work, it'd be interesting to see where it could go.

[@CrypticCharm]

i love Labyrinth, i was seven when this came out, and thought it was just fantastic. i actually met Brian Froud, a few years back and he'a a top guy. also Bowie's costume, most (not all) of the audience were too young to notice anything outstanding, it was only years later, since adults loved to talk about it "Oh you like Labyrinth, notice Bowie's costume" that it even became a topic.

[@MrDeedsly]

The Muppet Show is still hilarious to this day. That theme song was one of the first songs I learned to play from hearing it on piano. Jim Henson Productions has a very solid place in my heart.

[@michaelrlomax1977]

The film Labyrinth had the best making of documentary ever. What they covered was amazing from David Bowie songs, puppets and interviews with all the cast & crew.

[@destinycaptain247]

Didn’t it run on Syndicated TV around the time the movie was to come out? Seem to remember seeing it. A similar thing was done with 2010 and Aliens.

[@michaelrlomax1977]

@@destinycaptain247 That's where I saw it myself.

[@LastBastian]

I remember watching that and being amazed that Dr Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) from Star Trek TNG was one of the behind the scenes puppet artists!

[@michaelrlomax1977]

@@LastBastian Yes very much a big surprise.

[@TheNightBadger]

@@LastBastian You must have watched a repeat or something, since Star Trek TNG came out well after Labyrinth.

[@ericjome7284]

Tragic that it wasn't a huge success from day one.

[@MrBeardsley]

I think a big reason this and Dark Crystal initially struggled was the public’s perception of Jim Henson as “the Muppet guy.” By the early ‘80s he was seen as the king of children’s entertainment, and while both Dark Crystal and Labyrinth were technically family-friendly the general public just wasn’t ready for their darker, more “grown up” themes. If people saw the name Jim Henson on anything back then, they expected silly, Muppety fun for the whole family and nothing else. Two other movies from another filmmaker had similar issues around the same time. Mel Brooks’ company Brooksfilm produced both David Lynch’s The Elephant Man and David Cronenberg’s remake of The Fly, and in both cases the distributors assumed Brooks’ involvement meant they’d be screwball comedies in the vein of Young Frankenstein. Fortunately with those movies it didn’t negatively affect anything but the premieres, but the ‘80s are full of movies that got sunk by incompetent marketing execs who didn’t know how to sell anything unique.

[@peterknutsen3070]

@@MrBeardsleyMel Brooks deliberately didn't use his name to promote those movies, exactly because he didn't want the general public to assume they were comedies.

[@watcherzero5256]

Just look at what it was competing with that week! Karate Kid Part II, Top Gun, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Short Circuit and Cobra. Thats some pretty tough competition from films that are all considered classics today.

[@CantankerousDave]

I honestly didn't know that it didn't do well on its initial release. It had always been popular with all the people I knew.

[@calvinclyke]

The critics went to town on Henson. Back then there was the Siskel and Ebert monopoly on the public perception of what was good to watch. People were overwhelmingly protective of what children watched and not many wanted the gold that Jim Henson was offering. Siskel and Ebert hated all the kids movies I love. If it came out today…who knows if people would embrace it. The film went against the false perception the public placed on family entertainment at the time.

[@bittertroll7476]

Fun Fact about David Bowie. he wasnt really a goblin king, but a cosmic enity that took human form. sadly when his mortal body died in 2016, he faded from existence. this is why the world fell into chaos and began to crumble apart at that time.

[@tristambre632]

that's actually belivable.

[@shukilevyandbrookesheildsl2638]

Makes so much sense, actually.

[@MrDarthryan]

it was more 2012...

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

I keep hope alive he is simply waiting in the sky. He told us not to blow it, 'cause he knows it's all worthwhile.

[@tomkerruish2982]

Wow. All this time, I thought it was Harambe.

[@vladimirlagos2688]

I saw it at the movies as a ten year old child and absolutely loved it (I actually kind of developed a crush for Jennifer Connely as well, although I was too young to understand at the time). Oddly enough, the contrast of the Goblin King being a human leader of a host of puppet monsters never struck me as odd. David Bowie just seemed too perfect in his role to be questioned.

[@legionaireb]

I first 'met' Jennifer Connelly in The Rocketeer. She's still my concept of the ideal woman.

[@wstine79]

You remind me of the babe (what babe?) Babe with the power (what power?) Power of voodoo (who do?) You do (do what?) Remind me of the babe

[@369frequencyandvibration]

Lyrics came from a 1930s? movie quote.

[@sdelmonte]

The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer with Cary Grant and Shirley Temple. ​@@369frequencyandvibration

[@jordanquinlisk8145]

A goblin babe!!! Well, laugh!!

[@JustinWahlne]

​@@jordanquinlisk8145😂😂🤣🤣

[@watcherzero5256]

In the words of ScreenCrush quoting George Lucas 'Its like poetry... they rhyme'

[@libratigerpictures]

Thank you for all the Flight of the Conchords cuts, btw 😊😊😊

[@matthewevans107]

Definitely watched this on VHS when I was a kid. Between this, Dark Crystal, Legend and Krull, the 80’s was the best time for dark Sci-Fi/Fantasy

[@anthonydavis9970]

All great movies. Just showed my wife krull, and she was like, "How have I never seen this?"

[@solearesoul]

This movie, along with Willow, and The Never Ending Story, were on heavy rotation on our VHS player when I was a little boy. These movies were an essential part of the wonder of my youth.

[@tonybowers423]

When I saw Labyrinth back in 1986 and seeing the reaction to it I told a friend of mi that "This will be appreciated much more long after it's general release. " and dang it if I wasn't right.

[@74mwalker]

Thanks for this one, Dan! Jim Henson was a personal hero and having never so much as even meeting him, his passing saddened me greatly. It was up there with Steve Irwin and Robin Williams. 😢❤

[@Statsy10]

I take pride in the fact that I was a true believer of this film's greatness from the very beginning. It was actually a surprise for me to learn it wasn't a hit (I guess as a kid I wasn't really tuned in to box office performance. LOL), but I am glad that people caught on to Labyrinth in the end. I'd love a sequel... if they can do it right.

[@bretts7072]

They actually did one as a comic and it was awesome

[@rottensquid]

Same! Saw it in the theater with my art teacher, also a huge Bowie fan.

[@ta0paipai]

I saw Labyrinth after seeing scenes from it on Muppet Babies and asking my mom what movie it was (she found it in the closing credits). Then rented it and loved it.

[@sulecen]

Michael Moschen was pretty much the inventor of that style of juggling, called contact juggling, and this movie was a huge reason why people even knew it was a thing. It's big in flow arts communities around the world to this day!

[@manuellujan666]

Jim Henson was our innocence

[@DeusExAstra]

It's sad to see the bad reviews for such a wonderful movie.

[@mrdonigan]

The first problem was the list of blockbusters it was up against when it released, and the second were reviewers that have no idea what younger audiences like. It's a masterpiece. Period.

[@adamleblanc6263]

Was hoping it would of got mentioned but Barrels of Fun Pinball in 2023 created, sold, and shipped a Labyrinth Pinball Machine. It is amazing. Hope Dan and the rest of the crew get a chance to play it at some point. Magic Dance Multiball is Amazing.

[@billsheakoski5718]

I played it at a few pinball convention, it is awesome!

[@timidwolf]

Can't remember a time before seeing Labyrinth, we had it on VHS and I would watch it repeatedly. Kicked off my love for both Bowie and the muppets in one awesome movie!

[@RoseWaltz]

i saw it as a wee lil' Paps in the theater - you had to leave through a series of halls behind the theater and we pretended we were lost for years my sister and i would thank each other - "Thanks for letting me borrow your car. I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now."

[@COUNTRYBOY_9]

I’m more excited for this episode more than any episode in the history of Secret Galaxy episodes. Saved to “watch later”.

[@derekprospero]

David Bowie just showed up in his own clothes and makeup.

[@NK-mn6zu]

Correction: his wife’s clothes and makeup. 😂

[@danielbloomquist9810]

I think this movie was crucial in making something clear to me early in life. I was four or five when I saw this movie (at 40 this is more difficult to accurately recall), and I not only fell in love with it immediately for myriad reasons, I fell head over heels in love with Jennifer Connolly AND David Bowie, in so far as a child is actually capable of such a thing. It would be years still before these crushes made more sense.

[@bernardopaul7861]

Right on, I was 8 or 9 when the movie premiered and we all fell in love with Jennifer Connelly, and most of us 45- to 55-year-olds still are. She was like a dream, like she was taken straight from a comic or cartoon and made into flesh and blood.

[@otakubullfrog1665]

The fact that some movies are very underappreciated upon release isn't fair, but that's the way it is.

[@terrycraft6500]

It's so odd to me hearing that this collaboration of Henson, Lucas and Bowie was not critically acclaimed upon release. I was probably 8 when I first witnessed it's greatness, at 41 I still watch it with the same wide eyed, smiling ear to ear expression on my face.

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Whaaaat?🤯 12:50 I didn't know those weren't his arms during the crystal ball segments, I've watched the movie and tried to emulate those parts So many times and never once noticed anything odd about the arms. They did an amazing job filming this entire movie. 😄👍

[@drillerdev4624]

The magician had to do the trick without seeing his hand

[@AdamaSanguine]

It's time to do the Magic Dance.. AGAIN! 🎶 "Magic Dance, Magic Dance, Magic Dance" 🎶

[@rufioquin2406]

I first saw Labyrinth when I was like 7 or 8 at my uncle’s place. It instantly became my favorite movie and still is to this day.

[@Markimark151]

Labyrinth is one of my favorite dark kids movies, because I love the lore of Labyrinth, I wish they made more of these movies because we don’t get puppet fantasy movies anymore!

[@rottensquid]

Check out Where the Wild Things Are, if you haven't already. It's a brilliant puppet fantasy movie that owes a lot to Jim Henson.

[@Markimark151]

@@rottensquid that’s not a dark fantasy movie, it’s still a good charming movie with costumed creatures!

[@rottensquid]

@@Markimark151 True, though if you stretch the definition of dark fantasy enough, it... kinda fits?

[@Markimark151]

@@rottensquid but it’s not scary like Labyrinth nor Return to Oz, those movies pushed the boundaries for kids movies!

[@saint-g7449]

Rewatched the movie a few months ago. It's still good. The songs are great. This is one of the few musicals that I like.

[@BensBrickDesigns]

...and now I want to build the whole thing outta LEGO. Thanks, SG.

[@patrickmontgomery7449]

The Bowie episode of Flight of the Concords is legendary

[@KingCasual1986]

This movie was my introduction to David Bowie though I didn’t really hear most of his stuff until I was older (I was born in 2002 btw). I liked his performance in this when I was a kid and I still like it now!

[@btetschner]

Jennifer Connelly is one of my favorite actors and David Bowie is one of my favorite music artists.

[@shenloken2]

To think Prince and Michael Jackson were considered for the role of Jaredth the Goblin King. Sting wasn’t too far fetched though. He did after all play Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in the original Dune two years prior to Labyrinth.

[@rottensquid]

I think the idea of Prince or Michael Jackson playing this character gives us an interesting insight into the film process. Film isn't a matter of coming up with a clear character idea and then finding an actor to fill it. It's about trying on actors to see what they turn the character into. The first choice to play Indiana Jones was Tom Selleck, which would have made a very different set of movies. The Wachowski sisters originally approached Will Smith to play Neo in the Matrix. They went with Keanu because Will turned it down. But again, it would have been a very different movie. Maybe it wouldn't have been as good, but you never know. I think for every bit of "perfect" casting, there's a parallel world where someone else was in the role, and it worked just as well in a completely different way. And though I'd never want to replace Bowie, I kinda think Prince might have crushed it.

[@RyanMercer]

I’m not wearing any pants, film at 11.

[@jaytravis2487]

Oh my God! I just realized it's same actress as Requiem for a Dream....follow your dreams! Don't degrade yourself for money!

[@chiquita683]

Link?

[@RyanMercer]

@@chiquita683 😂 😂 😂

[@somebodynowhere]

I remember stories about the "you remind me of the babe" call and response being a go-to thing for fans at cons

[@KevinMinke]

I remember watching this in the theater as a kid, one of my only small child memories and I loved this movie so much at the time. Also started a lifetime crush on Jennifer Connelly

[@josephmayfield945]

I dont understand how anyone could not love that movie. So much creativity, and wonderment in it. Its a stunningly beautiful piece of fantasy.

[@mekman4]

Boy this jogs a lot of memories for me. As you mentioned each object and line, I recalled them in my minds eye, as I did my dishes in the background. Great Stuff, as always!

[@ThomasdWell]

I was a fan of Jim Henson and his work from birth, with the exception of 'The Witches' (1990) I watched them all over and over. Labyrinth and Dark Crystal being my favorites. Over the years I have watched it with friends and family and I can not conceive of anyone giving it a negative review, I will say the Manga's were not to my liking. I'd rather they never do a Labyrinth 2 than have a mediocre one, 'MirrorMask' (2005) was imo a spiritual successor and that's good enough.

[@darktetsuya]

loved the outtake, haha! I forget the first time I saw it, but the wife and I did watch it within the past few years! also there were a couple of game releases (one on old PCs and a Japan-exclusive Nintendo Famicom release that makes it an RPG of sorts) plus a recently released licensed pinball table, for folks with that kinda money and space.) a fun one we will have to revisit here soon.

[@michaellombardi1620]

Great use of Flight of the conchords clips!

[@darktoylord]

This is one of those movies that as a kid, I had the dialog memorized word for word :)

[@tompatchak8706]

After all these years, there’s no way I can see anyone but Bowie in this part.

[@btetschner]

I saw Labyinth for the first time in the 80s, it was a very popular movie with my peers and we watched it a lot! Actually, for movie day in high school we watched Labyrinth!

[@RynoDBones]

I watched in the theater when I was a kid and absolutely loved it. My uncle pirated the VHS for me and I wore that out, too. Luckily, my wife is also a fan, so we continue to enjoy it to this day.

[@mattshaw5179]

I remember seeing Labyrinth at the cinema here in the UK and absolutely loving it! Still one of my absolute favourites even all these years later!! Great video!

[@jasonnewell7036]

Those reviews show that most adults really have no conception of what kids like. This movie is glorious. It's a cornerstone of fantasy film along with Willow and The Princess Bride.

[@williammkydde]

I suspect those critics were executing some instructions. It stinks of competition trying to bring down Henson &Co.

[@raymondhemphill146]

It’s weird to me that I love so many movies considered flops. This, the dark crystal, the black cauldron, etc.

[@disky01]

I adore this movie. Its a classic as far as I'm concerned.

[@dinomonzon7493]

I remember the ad for this film announcing Labyrinth combining "The magic of Jim Henson...the wizardry of George Lucas". It certainly delivered that. David Bowie as the Goblin King was easily the film's best character.

[@eltanan]

Excellent episode. Thank you for making these.

[@ptjogara]

nice flight of the conchords ref

[@MDFMKisKMFDM]

It's mind blowing to me that Labrynth wasn't huge hit.... I was 11 when this movie came out and got to see it on the big screen and was obsessed..... I loved this film and everyone in it.... in fact from memory I believe this was my introduction to my love for Bowie.... it wasn't until much later i discovered this movie was a flop on release which i can't get my head around it's such a classic

[@OnTheNerdySide]

Hearing all of those reviews makes you wonder how much they played in to Jim Henson deciding to sell the Muppets to Disney. As hard as he tried, he couldn't get out from under the label of children's entertainment. Honestly, he should have pushed the envelope a bit further to get Labyrinth one of those new-fangled PG-13 ratings. Maybe then critics wouldn't have made the absurd remarks about how putting a baby in fairy tale peril betrayed Henson's years with Sesame Street. They definitely weren't for the same audience.

[@williammkydde]

Honestly, those critiques do sound like an orchestrated, malicious campaign, them building up these ridiculous accusations. As though somebody really wanted to drown a competitor...

[@Fyrmer]

This is one of my favourite movies of all time. The cast, the songs, the creatures, the set designs... it's a masterpiece. I didn't see it in the theater of course. I was 3 when it came out. But I did catch it on television as a young teen. And the moment that opening music hit with the image of an owl flying over the opening credits, I knew I was in for something special.

[@anthonybird546]

I saw Labyrinth on opening night in 1986. I remember that when Jareth appeared, there was a collective gasp from the parents in the audience, with a rumble of low chuckles slowly building up

[@allhailme8457]

I saw this when it came out in the movie theater. Growing up I didn't know many people who saw it, I actually finally met one person in HS who saw it and had it! I thought no one remembered the movie but a few years later more people started saying they were fans. When Jareth pleads with her and says "Just let me rule you and you can have anything you want".... "Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." I always felt those words were so powerful.

[@OutlawKing13MistaJ]

They did the Dark Crystal series was done very well, I trust the process. This is my favorite movie and thank you for letting me relive the history of it. RIP Bowie

[@andrewjamieson7178]

Superb episode, one of the very best ❤ I first saw it on VHS in 87, have loved it ever since. I met Terry Jones and looked after him on a book tour event. He was lovely but I will always regret not asking him about Labyrinth.

[@nightwishfan1991]

Born in 91 I obviously missed the theatrical run of Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. But my mother had the VHS tapes and so I watched them over and over again when I was young. Like many other movies of the 80s I don't remember a "first time" watching Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. It has just been something engrained in my DNA. Years later and thanks to the internet I had no idea that these movies underperformed in their time. Looking back on that now I can hardly believe it. Had I been alive during their release there is no doubt I would have seen these movies repeatedly in the theaters. And thanks to fathom events I have been able to. I love the Muppets but to me these two movies are Jim Henson's masterpieces and I am glad they were able to become appreciated and find an audience over time.

[@danielbloomquist9810]

I can't tell you how much I love both this movie as well as you just dropping Flight of the Conchords so casually. Well met, Syr.

[@RockNerdRadio]

Great episode! I love this movie. 2 things, firstly, I used to work down the street from the opening shot when she runs across the street. Secondly, I met Bowie at an airport in 1996. I was 11 and I told him that I loved the movie. I think I surprised him, but he was happy nonetheless.

[@leilasalera603]

I was a freshman in high school when I watched this and I loved it. Love it still. I love the ballroom scene and the song As The World Falls Down was so hauntingly beautiful. Perfect for that part of the movie. I can't wait for your video on Legend 😊

[@btetschner]

My college town is Crete, Nebraska, Crete being indirectly named after the Greek city of Crete (which is the location of the labyrinth that houses the Minotaur). It is my college's (Doane University) birthday today! (on 7-11...like of convenience store fame).

[@TitularHeroine]

That reads like you just need one or two more pieces to assemble a bizarre conspiracy.....

[@istevens78]

I saw this in the theater when it first came out. I was a few months shy of 8 years old. My family hated it. I loved it and still do to this day.

[@wstine79]

Dan Larson is the Goblin King of the Secret Labyrinth Galaxy.

[@369frequencyandvibration]

Dan Larson is the Goblin King of all KZbin 👑

[@mattnart]

First saw it in theaters when it came out. I'm quite old!

[@btetschner]

A+ video! LOVE IT! Fantastic video and movie, looking forward to the sequel being released!

[@dealt]

Seeing this when it first released on VHS when I was bout 4 or 5 years old. Massive impact. Thanks SG!

[@williammkydde]

I watched it 3 or 4 times, at various ages, and each time it felt different. Somehow, the first two times, in the 1980ies and early 1990ies, it felt like a darker thing, with some real obstacles and dangers - and I already was an adult then. The last time, just a few years ago, it felt too light, with too much humour, in an attempt to make it infant-friendly, a thriller struggling to take itself seriously. Yet, it is still a Big Film for me, with the perfect standoff between David Bowie and Jennifer. Thank you for this video. It makes me want to watch The L. again. And I don't want no sequels.

[@treadstone1138]

Her dad was played by Christopher Malcolm who was also in Empire Strikes Back as Rogue 2, the pilot that finds Han and Luke after the snow storm on Hoth, and he was also Jennifer Saunders ex-husband in the show Absolutely Fabulous. And he was also in the original Highlander as the gun nut that gets stabbed by the Kurgan.

[@jackielinde7568]

With all the ball jokes in the script, you couldn't have done anything with "Doorknockers"? They're just hanging there, just waiting for someone to come up and grab them.

[@jeffkadlec8264]

Absolutely LOVED this movie, as a kid & still now as an adult. One of those rare movies that is just perfectly insane, at any age

[@TomMSTie1138]

Rather than a sequel, I'd be more interested in a prequel that tells how Jareth became the Goblin King.

[@freddyvidz]

Me too

[@derekprospero]

This is everything wrong with modern movies.

[@jrsydvl7218]

How many times did you touch a hot stove before you learned it hurts?

[@bretts7072]

They did a comic of it and it was awesome!

[@notsyzagts7967]

@@bretts7072 That doesn't mean it would make a good full-length movie. It's more honorable to make new material based on media classics, instead of unearthing their corpses in the name of nostalgia. Ironically, it's the fans who won't let beloved entertainers "rest in peace".

[@jasonorme1026]

There is a Labyrinth pinball machine that was released in October 2023 and is still currently in production. It is absolutely stunning and a blast to play It. That should have been mentioned at the end when you were talking about all of the other products released.

[@tomkerruish2982]

2:13 Ernő Rubik invented his cube in 1974 and was first marketed in 1977, although it was not widely sold until 1980.

[@ianpitkin6324]

My mom surprised me with the VHS in 93. She ordered it from Columbia house and I wore the tape out. She had a super crush on bowie.

[@andrewcoulthard-clark]

I can personally attest, if you ever get to meet Gates McFadden at a comic convention, ask her about her time on 'Labyrinth', she'll be thrilled to be asked a non-star trek question.

[@Robalini1]

Loved this! Just a suggestion: as the Olympics are coming up, you may want to do an episode on one of my favorite Saturday Morning Cartoons, Laff-A-Lympics. Personally, I always rooted for the Scooby Doobies.

[@MrSnowboardsoul]

I can not believe that you didn't mention the new Labyrinth pinball machine!!! It is amazing 👏 I got to see it in theaters 😅

[@joshua2814]

Saw it in theater and took the foil wrapper from my Nestle Crunch bar to make a “crystal ball” on the way home because my little mind was blown.

[@dontwannaname]

I first saw Labyrinth at the age of 5 or 6 in the cinema. It was my first trip to the cinema and the experience was too much. However, it became a staple at home on VHS a few years later.