National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Labyrinth was released in 1986 by TriStar Pictures, produced by George Lucas and directed by Jim Henson. A blend of puppetry, practical effects, and live action, it arrived at a moment when fantasy filmmaking was pushing the boundaries of what was physically possible on screen. Though its initial box office was modest, the film built an enduring cult following and remains a landmark of 1980s imaginative cinema.

This cell, titled Jareth the Goblin King, captures David Bowie in close-up as the Goblin King, his hair spread wide against a cool blue and white atmospheric background consistent with the film's dream or crystal ball sequences. The three frames represent continuous action from the same shot, offering a rare and intimate look at one of cinema's most visually distinctive characters.