This screening of the 1986 film that became a milestone in the development of animatronic technology will offer a rare opportunity to hear from the creative team both behind and in front of the camera. After the screening and discussion, those in attendance will have the opportunity to view “It's Alive!”, an exhibition that features animatronic puppets and props from Labyrinth as well as many other films.

Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in Jim Henson's Labyrinth

Labyrinth utilizes a very early version of what would ultimately become the Henson Performance Control System, which in 1991 received a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy for allowing a single puppeteer to remotely control up to 32 isolated facial movements in an animatronic character. The technology made it possible to express complex emotions through the character and simulate a live performance in real time.

Cast: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm, Natalie Finland.

Creatures performed by: Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Karen Prell, Ron Mueck, Kevin Clash, Shari Weiser, Anthony Asbury, Brian Henson, Frank Oz, David Shaughnessy, Rob Mills, Davie Barclay, Timothy Bateson, Michael Hordern.

Director Jim Henson; Executive Producers David Lazer, George Lucas; Producer Eric Rattray; Associate Producer Martin Baker; Screenplay by Terry Jones; Story by Dennis Lee, Jim Henson; Editor John Grover; Cinematography Alex Thomson; Art Directors Terry Ackland-Snow, Roger Cain, Peter Howitt, Michael White; Production Design Elliot Scott; Original Music Trevor Jones; Songs David Bowie; Costume Design Ellis Flyte, Brian Froud; Music Editor Bob Hathaway; Sound Mixer Peter Sutton; Special Effects Supervisor George Gibbs; Key Animatronic Designer Kevin Herd; Makeup Supervisor Wally Schneiderman. A Jim Henson film. The Jim Henson Company and Lucasfilm Ltd. Released by TriStar Pictures. 35mm. 101 mins. 1986.