Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Labyrinth arrived in 1986 as a Jim Henson production released through TriStar Pictures, blending Henson's puppetry with Lucasfilm's visual ambitions and a starring turn from David Bowie at the height of his cinematic curiosity. The film underperformed on release but found a devoted following through home video, eventually becoming a touchstone of 1980s fantasy filmmaking, prized for its practical creature work and Bowie's singular presence. It stands today as a cult classic bridging music, puppetry, and studio spectacle.
This cell preserves Jareth the Goblin King, the film's central antagonist and its most enduring draw for collectors, given David Bowie's role in defining the character. Jareth embodies the labyrinth's ruling menace and allure in equal measure, making any frame bearing his likeness a focal point for enthusiasts of the film. Whether drawn from a trailer reel, a title sequence, or studio credits material, a 35mm cell of this kind captures a piece of the character's screen presence, a fragment of the mythology Bowie helped build around him.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour optical release print of Labyrinth (1986).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A multi-line optical soundtrack area is visible along the bottom edge of the frame area, appearing as parallel white lines consistent with a variable-area optical track; Dolby Digital, DTS, or SDDS elements are not distinguishable at this size.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
The base shows a warm cream-yellow tint typical of acetate safety stock; the dye image reads with a cool blue-dominant cast across all three frames.
Projection history
Faint horizontal lines are visible across the frame area consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with a release print of Labyrinth (1986).
Era check
The acetate base colour, variable-area optical soundtrack, and perforation style are all consistent with a mid-1980s theatrical release print.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063034
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
