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Totally Trivia
Film facts for the 1986 Family movie starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Brian Henson
Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm, Shari Weiser, Natalie Finland, Ron Mueck, Rob Mills, Dave Goelz, David Alan Barclay, David Shaughnessy, Karen Prell, Timothy Bateson, Michael Hordern, Denise Bryer, Steve Whitmire, Kevin Clash Update Cast
We believe the following trivia is all legit. If it's bogus or you have additional info, please update us.
Thanks to C.T. Warren
The part of Sarah is played by a young Jennifer Connelly, she won an Academy Award for best actress in the film "A Beautiful Mind" and also starred in "The Hulk" & "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", "House of Sand and Fog", & the 2008 remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still".Thanks to Sarah
Jennifer plays a character named Sarah Williams in both Labyrinth and Waking the Dead.Thanks to A. Johnson
Danny John-Jules, was the voice for two of the fieries, he is better known as 'The Cat' from the British sci-fi sitcom, Red Dwarf.Thanks to Cherie
There is a copy of "Where the Wild Things Are" in Sarah's room. It is a story about a bad little boy who is taken away to a land of monsters. In it, there is character called Ludo -the same name as the monster who Sarah rescues and in turn, befriends in Labyrinth.Thanks to Michelle Ramey
There is a Ludo doll in the beginning of the movie (as the camera is panning to the right, it is before the Labyrinth game & the Sir Didymus doll).Thanks to Shannon
At the end, when Sarah is putting away all of the things she has "grown out of", including the book "The Labyrinth", she conveniently forgets the statue of the Goblin King next to her mirror. Hmmm...Love dies hard, eh?Thanks to lainy2k
When the little goblin turns over the tile she wrote the arrows on... he says "You're mother was a fraggle, woga woga" or "your mother is a fraggin Aardvark" -depending on who you believe. Apparently the DVD subtitles say "Your mother is an aardvark" (Thanks Chelsie) although they can sometimes be wrong or changed for other reasons... We got lots of updates on this and they always contradict what we post! ;-)goldiedoggy kindly updated: It most definitely says "Your mother is a fraggin' Aardvark!" during the part with the little goblin thing, I have watched and listened many times over around 10/15 years of my life with and without subtitles. It is one of my favorite older movies, heck I was listening to that song/scene just a couple hours ago multiple times. There is no way it said anything else.
Thanks to Kathy Evans
The "upside-down staircase" ending of Labyrinth is inspired by an M.C. Escher painting.Thanks to Wayne
Some of the puppets in "Dark Crystal" seem to have been re-used for Labyrinth. The Podlings seem to have gotten mixed up with some goblins and that astrologist/witch in the Dark Crystal seems the same as the creature that Sarah meets in the trash dump looking area.Thanks to thedessertqueen
Another Jareth face can be seen as Sarah, Hoggle, etc. walk through a forest after leaving the Bog of Eternal Stench. In fact, the scene reminded me of "Where the Wild Things Are". Look for Jareth in the tree on the right.Rewind Archive
The Jareth faces actually appear 7 times in the movie. Each time an overhead or long shot is taken, a Jareth face is concealed. There is one in every location, but they can only be seen with the wide screen version.Thanks to Daler
The seven hidden Jareth faces are supposed to signify him being all knowing and all seeing. See if you can spot them all.Thanks to Thanks Leelee K
In the scene where Sarah and Hoggle are climbing up the ladder after the run-in with the cleaners, Jareth's face appears below them for a split second.Thanks to Matthew Howe
A Jareth face can be seen after Sarah released Ludo from the guards and Hoggle is walking by himself talking about Sarah getting through the labyrinth: if you pause it, you can see the image in the upper left corner of the grass maze.Thanks to Ariel
Another Jareth face can be seen just after Sarah enters the labyrinth [after the worm directs her towards the entrance]. There is a brief overview of the labyrinth where Sarah is walking and in the top right corner Jareth's face in one of the walls of the labyrinth. To the left of his face there is a ball and to the right there are stairs. Also, one of the hands is pointing directly at it.Thanks to Laura
After the scene with the wiseman Sara and Hoggle can be seen in a wide shot of the labyrinth. In the bottom left hand corner of the screen on the floor you can see another face.Thanks to Alexlgraham
Where Sarah is in the Junkyard representation of her room, sitting at her dressing table, in the right hand corner of the screen on the table, you see a doll-model type thing. It is dressed in a long purple coat, has blond/purple hair (if I remember correctly) and looks just like Jareth!Rewind Archive
In the original script, Jareth came and knocked on Sarah's door, claiming to be a famous actor. He drank her father's whisky and sat on her couch for a while. In the end, she turned him into a goblin and then stepped on him.Rewind Archive
Terry Jones, who wrote the script for the film and Brain Froud, the conceptual artist, later banded together to write 'The Goblin Companion', 'Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book' and 'Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells'.Thanks to Jeff Mosley
There is a full sized Hoggle puppet on display at the Unclaimed Baggage Store in Scottsboro Alabama. Apparently it was lost luggage that was never claimed.Emily Lewis also kindly wrote in to provide further info on this intriguing factoid:
"This Hoggle puppet is indeed one of the original puppets used in the movie. It was being shipped to the studio's warehouse with other props and such after filming and somehow or other it was never claimed.
Unclaimed Baggage received it along with some costume pieces and a couple of other small props.
For a time it was actually for sale, but no one ever bought it as the film had not yet been released and no one knew what the heck it was. Now, all these unclaimed bits of the movie are on display (and no, they aren't for sale any longer)."
Thanks to Laurie Mason
The name Ambrosias is another name for the mighty wizard Merlin - Sarah's dog is named Merlin and the sheepdog that Sir Didymus uses as a horse is, therefore, called Ambrosias!Rewind Archive
The voice of Hoggle is performed by Jim Henson's son, Brian. Brian has since taken over Henson Studios after his father's tragic death.Thanks to Raven Willow
On the sheilds of the red and blue guards, the runes are not made-up elvish, but actual runes from the vikings. Vikings are where the storys of goblins originated.Thanks to Meghan Torba
In the scene after Sarah wakes up from eating the peach, if you look closely, you will see that all the garbage in the background is other "garbage people" like the "garbage lady".Thanks to Kathy Evans
When Sarah is in the "fake" bedroom, at the beginning of the scene, you can see what appears to be a poster or album cover that says, "Shredding Machine" that looks very much like the "Cleaners" that she and Hoggle encounter in the tunnel. Also, near the end of her bookshelf is a stuffed creature that greatly resembles a Firey! Her bedroom is full of tie-ins to her adventure.Thanks to Jason Podolak
The large metal guard at the end of the movie, guarding the entrance to the Goblin City, was the largest puppet ever made, weighing over 2 tons.Thanks to C.T. Warren
The truly sad aspect of Labyrinth is that Jim Henson suddenly died of septic shock in the spring of 1990, which makes this masterpiece his directorial Swan Song.Thanks to Leelee K and Monica
In Sarah's room (at the beginning and the end of the movie) were a fiery doll, a poster of M. C. Escher art (the maze room at the end of the movie was based on it), a Jareth statue (by her mirror), a jewellery box with a princess going round and round, Sir Didimus and a Hoggle bookend. These were all seen during the movies adventure...Thanks to Jenn B
Sara's little brother Toby is played by conceptual artist Brian Froud's real son... Toby!Also, Wendy Froud, Brian's wife and Toby's mom was one of the puppet creators for Jim Henson in quite a few of his movies!!
Thanks to Dreamer012778
There are actually 2 books called "Return to the Labyrinth" with cover art of David Bowie's character on them.Lauren kindly wrote in to update: There are now actually 4 books of the Return to the Labyrinth series. The books are graphic novels written by Jake T. Forbes and illustrated by Chris Lie. The series is a sequel to the film, consisting of teenage Toby's adventures in the Labyrinth.
Thanks to Stephanie
The things found in Sarah's room were there to fuel the idea that it was all a dream, that her subconsciousness used all of these elements to create the Labyrinth and the fact that there wasn't a hole in the bottom of the pot they crawled out of wasn't an accident, it was to further prove that nothing was as it seemed.Thanks to Kathy Evans
Jennifer Connelly is starring in the 2009 movie, "He's Just Not That Into You".Rewind Archive
The decorative columns and landscaping in the park at the beginning of the movie are also represented in certain parts of the labyrinth.Thanks to Kathy Evans
Did anyone else notice that Hoggle is wearing Jen's vest (from "The Dark Crystal")? Either that, or one of the Mystics must be his tailor! His vest is the same color and has the same raised runic patterns in it as Jen's jacket.Thanks to Trish Miller
The owl at the beginning of the film is the Goblin King, checking up on Sarah. He WAS in love with her. When the Goblin King first makes his appearance, he enters the house in the form of an owl.Thanks to Gabby R.
Did you think that the photographs on Sarah's mirror are of her mother and a man who looks remarkably like David Bowie? Well, the guy in the pics is David Bowie. That's why Sarah hates her stepmother so much. She feels as if her stepmother is taking her mother's place. It's kind of like the thing in Peter Pan when the guy who plays the father is the same guy who plays Captain Hook. Having someone you love play the evil guy in the other world. So in Labyrinth, David Bowie really plays two parts. The guy who took away Sarah's mother, and Jareth, the infatuated goblin king.Thanks to Kathy Evans
If you look in the foreground before Sarah and her friends enter the Goblin City, you will see a fountain sculpture of several "Hoggle" statuettes "peeing" into the fountain - exactly how Sarah first encountered Hoggle!Rewind Archive
Actor Warwick Davis, was a member of the Goblin corps. He played the title character in the movie "Willow," as well as the Ewok, Wicket, that Leia encounters first in "Return of the Jedi". Davis has also appeared in several "Harry Potter" films as Professor Flitwick, and did the physical acting for Marvin the depressed robot in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".Thanks to Stormy Fogle
One of the Fireys is played by Kevin Clash, better know as "Elmo" on Sesame Street.Thanks to Kisha C.
Another Jareth face: Lower right corner of the wall bordering the Bog of Eternal Stench, just after the ledge breaks under Sarah and Hoggle for the first time.Thanks to Luke
Right after Sara makes friends with Ludo, Hoggle is walking along talking to himself through the green pathways of the labyrinth. In that far away shot if you look to the Top Left Corner in the Archway you can see Jeriths Face. It is colored to blend in.It is just like the Rock cut out of his face in the movie when he gives the peach to Hoggle... There are more scenes like this.. but can't tell you all of them.. it will spoil the fun of watching.... okok well maybe one more... In the scene where Higgle/Hoggle goes to drop the peach in the bog, while it fades through to where they are walking and the dog.. forget his name... says "come on there... We should reach the castle..." in that wide shot you can see Jerith's face blended in with the background. It is on the right, right next to the last big tree you see in the shot... about halfway up. Happy hunting :)
Thanks to Addie Sky
If you listen carefully to the babble the goblins are making as they retreat from the rocks Ludo calls you will hear one say "I'm going home to make macaroni!" I swear it's true!Thanks to C.T. Warren
15 years later, Jim Henson's Creature Shop did some special effects work on "Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone", and certain links can be found between this film and Labyrinth.First, Jareth's first transforming from owl to human form is only shown in shadow, just like Prof. McGonagall's switch from cat to human.
Second, a few times Sarah addresses Hoggle as "Hogwart", is this where J.K. Rowling got the school's name?
Of course, the biggest difference is that with Harry, love is a key to his protection against his nemesis, Lord Voldemort. On the other hand, I've never seen a villain more motivated by love than Jareth of Labyrinth!
Thanks to Rachel Hensley
If you listen carefully enough you will hear that Sarah's music box plays "As The World Falls Down" when she is reciting Labyrinth in front of her mirror. And the funny thing is that the figurine is wearing the same dress as in her hallucination. Fancy that!Thanks to Ashley S.
Just Before Jareth gives Hoggle the peach and threatens to make him "Prince of the Land of stench" you'll see him sitting on some rocks. If you look carefully at the rock Jareth is sitting on it's an exact replica of the left side of David Bowie's face! Within a few seconds, the camera moves and you'll see that it is in fact three rocks all strategically placed, there is NO WAY that that is just coincidence!Thanks to Bob
No strings or special effects were used in the scene where Gareth makes crystals spin then slowly fly out of his hands. This was done by a professional, hiding behind Bowie's back, with his arm/hands.Thanks to Stinkerbelle
If you turn on Closed Captioning for the scene where they are escaping the Bog of Eternal Stench, whenever anyone steps on a stone, it will say "fart" because of the funny noise it makes. My kids get the biggest kick out of this! (Ok, I do too!)Thanks to Alyssa T
Right after Sarah turns around to discover her marks are being changed and meets the "one of us always tells the truth and one of us always lies" doors, if you look closely at the wall behind her, the stones are in the shape of US states, including Texas, Oklahoma, etc.Editor Nick
David Bowie sadly died on Jan 10th 2016 at the age of 69 from cancer after an 18-month battle with the disease.After an incredible career as actor and singer spanning an incredible six decades, he will be sorely missed.
Rewind Archive
When all of Sarah's lipstick marks are being changed, one of the 'brownies' changing them jumps up and down and screams something that's hard to hear. In fact, it says "Your mama is a fraggle!" (Homage to Henson's "Fraggle Rock") but, apparently, if you turn on the subtitles it says "your mother is a fraging aardvark" can anyone confirm?Thanks to Dan Welch
The urn sitting on a metal table with no hole is obviously intentional. It's supposed to show a magical occurence, much like how Sarah walks through the wall after speaking to the worm.Thanks to J.R. Weber
On the shields of the red and blue guards, elvish runes can be seen. These runes are the common written language in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings.Thanks to Lauren
When Sarah is trapped with all of the orange/red monsters, watch her face. When one comes up behind her instead of being scared she gives a big smile!! So cute! Watch for it!Thanks to Alida
As Sarah and friends are entering the goblin city you can see a bottle of milk sitting outside one of the gates.Bogus Trivia
There's often fake stuff floating round, y'know? -Like the 'ghost boy' that can allegedly be seen in "Three Men And A Baby".
The following trivia for "Labyrinth" is apparently bogus. If you disagree or have additional info, please update us.When Sarah marks the first stone with on arrow the little guy that comes out and yammers gibberish and right before he goes back in his hole he says "Your mother's a fagat". It is quite odd.
The Witch called Meg is played by Robert Picardo, who also plays the EMH (Emergency Medical Holgram) in Star Trek Voyager. (Meg is from Legend not from Labrynth)
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