David Bowie’s forgotten role in film which ‘defined a generation’ | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV
While many remember David Bowie for his legendary impact on the world of music, others will never forget how scared he made them as kids in his fantastical film role.
The star had previously shifted his attention to film when he starred in the cult classic The Man Who Fell to Earth, in 1976. He played the role of an alien, which linked nicely with his alter ego Ziggy Stardust and the musical era he was in at the time. But his love for fantasy and sci-fi didn’t stop there; in 1986 he took on the role of Jareth in Labyrinth.
The musical fantasy film was directed by Jim Henson, in a co-production with Lucasfilm, and featured real-life puppetry as well as human actors. A young teenage Jennifer Connelly stars as Sarah alongside David Bowie as Jareth, and the story follows her through the maze as she fights to find her baby brother.
The magical maze proves to be challenging, full of dangerous traps, but on the other side of it is her brother Toby, who has been kidnapped by the Goblin King. Her little brother found himself trapped after she secretly wished him away and nshe ow has just 13 hours to reach the centre of the labyrinth and defeat Jareth.
Along the way a young Sarah is met with unusual landscapes and manages to befriend puppet creatures who aid her in her mission. But she’s also met with a number of temptations luring her away from saving Toby and making him a goblin permanently.
One fan of the film shared a review on Rotten Tomatoes, in which they boasted about the nostalgia they felt for this era of cinema. They wrote: “An absolutely amazing moment in time where you could actually get lost in what’s happening on the screen. This is a childhood classic.”
Another person wrote: “This is one of my favourite childhood movies. You can’t go wrong with David Bowie and a young Jennifer Connelly. The puppetry of Jim Henson will always be a great hallmark of the 80s, and this is just as iconic as the Muppets.”
People can’t help but praise the filmmakers’ work and argue that they mastered the story hence why no sequels have really been tackled as of yet. They shared: “For how amazing this film is, it’s surprising they never made a sequel or a spin-off series.
“We have a story with a clear goal, character growth, a fantastic world, and most of all, amazing characters. I love how there’s something new to see around every corner. Definitely Bowie’s best movie, Jim Henson’s best, and one of the best fantasy films ever made.”
At the time of its release, Labyrinth received a royal welcome to screens, with King Charles and Princess Diana both in attendance at the premiere. Although after its initial run, it did not quite live up to expectations when it came to big movie budgets and failed to be the ‘box office boom’ they’d hoped for.
Despite this, it became over time a considerable classic, especially for its unique creative elements in puppetry and its set design. One viewer described it by saying, “Bursting at the seams with memorable characters, beautiful set pieces, and an inimitable performance by David Bowie.”
For those keen to catch a glimpse of David Bowie like never before, you can stream Labyrinth on Amazon Prime from the comfort of your home. Alternatively, it’s also available to watch for free on ITVX.
