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Labyrinth movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Labyrinth filmed?

1986

City Locations

Buckinghamshire (UK); New York State (USA)

Location Types

House, Riverside, Film Studio

Location Styles

Victorian, Colonial, Rustic, Dated, Dutch Colonial

About Labyrinth

Labyrinth is a popular adventure film from the 1980s that falls under the fantasy genre. Directed by Jim Henson and produced by George Lucas, the movie brings together some of the top leaders in the field.

The film features Jennifer Connelly in the role of Sarah, a teenager who asks goblins to take away her baby brother, only to realize later that she needs to navigate through a magical maze resembling the work of M.C. Escher to save him from Jareth, the Goblin King portrayed by David Bowie. The film also features music by Trevor Jones.

Along this journey, Sarah meets other strange creatures, such as a talking worm and a set of talking lithic rocks that offer advice or guidance on conquering these challenges, all while learning more about herself. As Sarah gets closer to rescuing her brother, she must face off against the powerful Jareth, who will do whatever it takes to keep control over his kingdom.

According to Richard Corliss, the movie drew inspiration from The Wizard of Oz and Maurice Sendak's works. Metacritic gave Labyrinth a 50 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. The movie was nominated for the Best Special Visual Effects award at the BAFTA and received two nominations for the Saturn Awards: Best Fantasy Film & Best Costumes.

Labyrinth Locations

The USA and the UK served as the backdrop for Labyrinth. Rockland County, New York, and Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England, provided the setting for most scenes. The stunning regions contributed to the ambiance and offered cinematic viewers a plethora of interesting landmarks to explore.

Rockland County, New York, hosts the opening sequence of Labyrinth and is filled with many exciting sights. North Broadway in Upper Nyack also appeared on the screen, along with many other streets in the village, including First Avenue and Hook Mountain. West Wycombe Park, an 18th-century country house known for its architecture, featured prominently and appears in What a Girl Wants and Victoria & Abdul. Sarah's home is located on North Broadway between First Avenue and Hook Mountain, providing viewers with a scenic view of the riverside street.

Elstree Studios also provided a setting for Labyrinth. This cluster of functioning, as well as out-of-use studios located in Borehamwood and Elstree, provides filmmakers with an array of options, such as building sets or recreating locations from all around the world without leaving their studio space.

Due to its scenes set amongst various locations from Rockland County, New York, and Elstree Studios in England, a trip to the filming locations for Labyrinth would be an exciting experience for any fan eager to take it all in! With breathtaking views of ancient county homes, picturesque villages, serene riversides, and awe-inspiring studio sets, this journey will be nostalgic.

Sarah wandering around the park in a medieval dress scene in Labyrinth

West Wycombe Park, High Wycombe HP14 3AL, UK

The park scene begins with Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly) walking through the park near her house, enacting her favorite storybook, the Labyrinth. She is wearing a white dress with a pinkish wreath on her head and carrying a book in one hand. While walking, she pauses in front of her dog and recites the main character's lines from the book.

The garden setting and Sarah's whimsical clothing create a magical atmosphere as if taken from a fairy tale. The filming location was West Wycombe Park, which used to be the residence of the Dashwood family. Sir Francis Dashwood, who lived there in the 18th Century, started the infamous Hellfire Club.

Despite its scandalous reputation, the club was not as immoral as people believed. West Wycombe Park features some of England's finest and most distinctive 18th-century gardens.

These gardens appeared prominently in the Labyrinth and have become a popular destination for tourists to enjoy their unique beauty and atmosphere. It has also become an iconic place for film fans.

West Wycombe Park is in Buckinghamshire, UK, roughly 37 miles from London. To get to West Wycombe Park, visitors can take public transport from London via train or bus services departing from London Paddington Station or Victoria Station, respectively.

Sarah running home scene in Labyrinth

N Broadway, New York 10960, USA - Castle Heights Avenue, Nyack

The sequence of Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) running under the rain came to life in a charming suburban area located in New York City. We see Sarah running with her dog through North Broadway in Upper Nyack and Castle Heights Avenue in Nyack, a village near the Hudson River's west bank.

This part of the movie is likely an iconic one for many fans, as it is when Sarah finally finds out she is late for her baby stepbrother Toby’s (Toby Froud) bedtime. The filming locations that brought this scene to life have become somewhat iconic.

For instance, the nearby city hall building mentioned in the script was the Village Hall in Upper Nyack. The production team chose the setting due to its quaintness and 19th-century charm. The streets around it have also seen their fair share of tourists over the years who come to visit these iconic spots from Labyrinth.

Getting to this location is straightforward if you are coming from Manhattan. Take a train from Grand Central Station that will stop at Upper Nyack Station, just a few blocks from the location.

Sarah running through the alley scene in Labyrinth

474 Piermont Ave, Piermont, NY 10968, USA - 60 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, New York, USA

Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) runs through a narrow alleyway between houses, trying to get home quickly. This sequence is one of the few scenes shot outside the United Kingdom, contrasting the dream-like fantasy elements. The alley, featuring brick walls on both sides and plants climbing them, exudes an enchanting ambiance that hints at the magical realm.

This scene was filmed at 474 Piermont Avenue in Piermont and close to the Dutch Colonial houses in Haverstraw, situated near each other on the Hudson River's west bank in New York.

During production, smoke machines generated a dreamy atmosphere, setting the stage for Sarah's adventure into the mystical world of Labyrinth.

By public transportation, take a train from Grand Central Terminal to White Plains Station and then take a shuttle bus to Piermont or Haverstraw. Alternatively, drive from New York City along Interstate 87 North until Exit 10, where you will find signs directing you toward both villages.

Sarah meets the Goblin King scene in Labyrinth

Stage 3, Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1JG, UK

Left alone with her fussy baby brother (Toby Froud), Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) became upset when she discovered her stepmother had given him one of her cherished teddy bears, a worn-out toy named Lancelot.

In frustration, Sarah exclaimed her desire to leave the awful place. Annoyed by the child's crying, she called upon the goblins to take her brother. The goblins obliged and whisked Toby away. Jareth (David Bowie), the Goblin King, gave Sarah a choice: accept her dreams or spend 13 hours navigating his kingdom, an ever-shifting maze known as the Labyrinth.

If she could reach the castle at the center within the allotted time, it would save her brother from becoming a goblin. Determined to rescue her sibling, Sarah began the task as the king departed.

Her bedroom includes various items that inspire her, such as The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Where the Wild Things Are, Alice in Wonderland, and Grimm's Fairy Tales books. Additionally, she has games like Dungeons & Dragons, Judge Dredd, Ludo, and a maze game that looks like a labyrinth.

Elstree Studios, located in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire in England, at stage 3, provided the setting for the home interior scenes. The studio is also responsible for several other classic films, such as Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Superman (1978), and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). The studio is not available for tourist visits, only for production-related activities.

To visit Elstree Studios from London, you can take the direct train from St Pancras International to Elstree & Borehamwood Station, which takes approximately 40 minutes. From there, take a taxi or walk 15 minutes to Elstree Studios.

The Goblin City and dance scenes in Labyrinth

Stage 2 & 6, Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1JG, UK

Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) traverses the maze within the Goblin City, attempting to overcome challenges and unravel mysteries alongside her companions. The city, situated at the heart of the Labyrinth, boasts Jareth's (David Bowie) Castle as its focal point.

The Goblin City consists of haphazard, unusually shaped structures inhabited by Jareth's goblin followers. Stage 6 of Elstree Studios offered film sets to bring the city scenes to life, and the production team used the most massive panoramic backdrop ever painted.

A memorable scene cherished by fans occurs when Sarah experiences a dream in which she finds herself in a ballroom filled with masked individuals. Dressed in a stunning silver gown, she dances closely with the Goblin King but realizes she must take action. Sarah escapes his embrace and shatters the crystal ball he had trapped her within.

This crucial moment is captivating with its fantastical, surreal imagery and enchanting soundtrack by Trevor Jones. Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire provided the backdrop for The Goblin City, maze, and dance scenes.

Elstree Studios is a group of studios that are both active and inactive. They are in Borehamwood and Elstree, located in Hertfordshire County. By private car, take the A41 route.

Conclusion

Overall, Labyrinth is a well-crafted and visually captivating movie. David Bowie's performance as the villain Jareth is particularly noteworthy for his ability to create an alluring figure driven by imagination. The special effects of director Jim Henson are also stunning, with impressive visuals and a fine soundtrack.

Jennifer Connelly does an okay job of bringing the lead character to life. The most notable actor in the movie is David Bowie, who plays the villain Jareth. His glam rock wig and revealing tights reference his previous alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.

The script is quite good, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers engaged. The concept behind the movie - of entering a dreamlike world of fantasy - is presented in an original way that has since influenced many other films and television shows. There are several memorable moments throughout the movie that demonstrate the creativity behind it.

Labyrinth is an essential feature in cinematic history, influencing generations of filmmakers with its imaginative vision. Modern classics such as Pan's Labyrinth and The Lord of the Rings trilogy cite it as an influence, showcasing how powerful its impact has been even decades later.

Any fan of the musical fantasy will also enjoy going on a Labyrinth filming locations tour.