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 Tri-Star Pictures, blending Muppet-style creature work with Jennifer Connelly's live-action lead and David Bowie's turn as Jareth the Goblin King. It underperformed on initial release but found a devoted afterlife on home video, later becoming a touchstone for Henson's puppetry ambitions and a favorite among fantasy film collectors for its practical effects and eccentric supporting cast.
This cell centers on Firey, one of the memorable Fireys from the forest sequence, credited here as Leader Firey, marking him as the head of that rowdy group. Collectors seek these frames for the character's cult standing among Henson creature fans, a puppet built for comic chaos rather than menace. A cell like this, drawn from 35mm printing stock, preserves a single frame of that footage, the kind of artifact prized less for narrative context than for its direct link to the physical filmmaking process behind the character's appearance.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Labyrinth (1986).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track variable-area format.
Edge print
Edge print reads, mirrored as seen: EASTMAN 1 1+1
Base & colour
Base shows a warm cream-yellow tint consistent with an acetate safety base; the dye image appears warm with no obvious red shift or significant fading.
Projection history
Fine longitudinal lines consistent with projection wear are visible across the frame area; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames of a single continuous shot, consistent with a release print of Labyrinth (1986).
Era check
A single variable-area optical track, Eastman-branded acetate safety stock, and warm dye image 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 000063053
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
