Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
Labyrinth arrived in 1986 through Tri-Star Pictures, a joint effort from Jim Henson and George Lucas that paired elaborate puppetry with a young David Bowie in one of his most memorable screen turns. Coming at the tail end of Henson's run of ambitious fantasy features, it underperformed on first release before finding a devoted following through television and home video, eventually becoming one of the most cherished cult films of its decade. Its blend of practical creature work, musical interludes, and a teenage heroine navigating a fantastical realm has made it a touchstone for collectors of both puppetry history and eighties fantasy cinema.
This cell carries the name of the film's central setting itself, the great puzzle that Sarah must cross to reach the Goblin City and win back her brother. A frame marked simply The Labyrinth points to the world building at the heart of the story rather than a single character beat, evoking the maze's shifting walls and hidden paths that define the picture's central challenge. Cells tied to the setting rather than a performer draw interest from collectors who value the production design and the sheer scale of what Henson's team constructed.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour negative or intermediate print element from Labyrinth (1986).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
Two variable-area optical tracks run as a white band between the picture area and the lower perforation row, consistent with a stereo optical print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears clear with a cool-neutral tint; the dye image renders as deep blue-violet lines on a dense black ground, consistent with a colour negative or colour reversal intermediate rather than a standard positive print.
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks or cue marks are visible.
Picture
Negative image; the three frames appear to be consecutive frames of the same shot, and the geometric maze-like graphic content is consistent with the title sequence or animated elements associated with Labyrinth (1986).
Era check
The dual variable-area optical soundtrack and the film stock base are consistent with a mid-1980s theatrical release print era, aligning with a 1986 release.
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 000063037
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
