ParisLemon » Pan’s Labyrinth vs. David Bowie’s Labyrinth

Pan’s Labyrinth vs. David Bowie’s Labyrinth

Last night I saw Pan’s Labyrinth, and as expected it was pretty great. Something struck me as I was watching it however; quite a few major elements are oddly similar to another movie about a labyrinth, 1986’s Jim Henson-directed (the last film he directed before his death), David Bowie and 15-year-old Jennifer Connelly-led Labyrinth.

(*Some spoilers ahead*)

First off and most obvious, both prominently feature a labyrinth.

Both feature a main character who is a girl obsessed with fantasy tales.

Both plots evolve from stories or fairy tales told in the beginning that become true.

Both girls are tempted into handing over their baby brothers to some questionable (and questionably male) figures.

Both girls eventually think better of sacrificing their brothers and save them.

Both of the baby brothers are the sister’s half-brothers.

Both films have a scene where the main character has to choose which lock to put a key in, and despite nearly being tricked, both go with their intuition and choose the right one.

Both feature a scene in which the main character is tempted by something they desire (food in Pan’s Labyrinth, toys in Labyrinth).

Both give in to this temptation and it puts them in a very tough spot.

Likewise both films have something bad happen after the main character eats fruit.

I’m a bit foggy on this one, but I think both feature drawing a door that allows the main character to escape an otherwise impossible situation.

Both feature hourglasses as important methods of keeping time.

Those are just ones off the top of my head that I thought about while watching the movie yesterday. I haven’t seen the 1986 Labyrinth in over 15 years; I’ll have to rent it to see if there is anything else (and for the awesome David Bowie songs…”Underground”, anyone?).

There were also many similarities to Alice in Wonderland (namely that dress the main character wears) but those were obviously more intentional.

Also, what was up with everyone shooting people numerous times after they’re already dead? Is that how they roll in 1940’s Spain?

As I said, the movie is excellent. Is it worthy of the highest scores I’ve ever seen for a new movie on Metacritic (98) and Rotten Tomatoes (96%)? Maybe, but I’ve still got to go with The Departed as my favorite movie from last year…though I’ve yet to see Babel or The Queen.

Oh and don’t take your young kids to see the R-rated Pan’s Labyrinth. If I saw this movie when I was a kid it would have scared the crap out of me. Not to mention that it’s subtitled so any child too young won’t be able to understand what is going on anyway and will only take away from it the terrifying visuals.

It certainly lived up to its billing: a fairy-tale for grown-ups.

Post by MG Siegler on 01/21/07
Comments

Anonymous

The departed is'nt even an original plot. It is a remake of an asian (Korean or Chinese, i cant remember) film called Infernal affairs....

MG Siegler

I'm well aware of that, it's a film made in Hong Kong. Does that make Scorsese's any less good?

Charbarred

Great idea for a post!

MG Siegler

Thanks charbarred!

Angelica

Just so u know, Jim Henson's Labyrinth didn't have a scene where Sarah (Jennifer Connely) draws a door to go to a different place. Just thought I'd tell u since (for some odd reason that not even I understand) I fall asleep to Labyrinth some nights. As for El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) it was an AMAZING adaptation of the Spanish myth. I loved it.

MG Siegler

Thanks for clearing that up Angelica, see your many watches of Labyrinth did come in handy if for nothing else then to correct me here.

I've really got to watch it again, it's been a long time.

Angelica

No problem @ all. I'm glad I could be of help. I watched it again last night and saw that although Sarah doesn't put a key into a lock, but she does have to choose between two doors. One to get to the castle at the center of the Labyrinth and one that leads to certain death. But the concept is pretty much the same. Take Care

Anonymous

In the Labyrinth Goggle the dwarf props a door that is laying on the floor against a wall and they are able to escape. Similar method.

MG Siegler

Nice memory, that is the scene I've been trying to remember for months (since I wrote the post).

How about Google the Dwarf? :)

Anonymous

Pan's Labyrinth in comparison to David Bowie's...well, I can't come up with another way to put it than that it sucked ass. Even if I had never heard of the theme before, I would have been highly disappointed to have spent ten dollars on it in the theaters. Sure, there were some good special effects, but other than that, it was horrible. The actors were underqualified, the whole plot was just too pitiful, and all in all, i think this film would insult david bowie and the original creators of his version as much as it does me.

Anonymous

the review i just needed... thanks for this one!

foxysugarsweet

Ok Well I personally have never seen Pan's Labyrinth but I have a slight Obsession with Labyrinth. I just wanted to say that Sarah doesn't choose the right door. That is how she ends up in the Oublet. Where Hoggle lifts the board that becomes a door to a clothest when you open it one way but if you open it up the other way it is the door that leads to the tunnel with the rock faces. Also there is not a an hour glass in Labyrinth. Gareth uses a clock with 13 hours "You have 13 hours to solve the labyrinth before your baby brother becomes one us forever! Such a pity." And as for giving into the temptation of the toys Sarah does figure out that they are trying to trick her. She sees the book called Labyrinth sitting on her "desk" and then reads the lines "Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the goblin city to take back the child that you have stolen!" And is reminded of the mission she has set out on and breaks free of the spell from the peach.

So now i will make it my mission to watch Pan's Labyrinth and let you know what i think! LOL TTFN

foxysugarsweet

Ok Well I personally have never seen Pan's Labyrinth but I have a slight Obsession with Labyrinth. I just wanted to say that Sarah doesn't choose the right door. That is how she ends up in the Oublet. Where Hoggle lifts the board that becomes a door to a clothest when you open it one way but if you open it up the other way it is the door that leads to the tunnel with the rock faces. Also there is not a an hour glass in Labyrinth. Gareth uses a clock with 13 hours "You have 13 hours to solve the labyrinth before your baby brother becomes one us forever! Such a pity." And as for giving into the temptation of the toys Sarah does figure out that they are trying to trick her. She sees the book called Labyrinth sitting on her "desk" and then reads the lines "Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the goblin city to take back the child that you have stolen!" And is reminded of the mission she has set out on and breaks free of the spell from the peach.

So now i will make it my mission to watch Pan's Labyrinth and let you know what i think! LOL TTFN

Anonymous

In the Labyrinth book there is a key that she has to find to get into the labyrinth. Her and Hoggle have pretty much the same exchange they do in the movie.
... Anyways

good list.

MG Siegler

Good stuff, thanks for all the comments folks.

Kythereia

"Also, what was up with everyone shooting people numerous times after they're already dead? Is that how they roll in 1940's Spain?"

There was some gratuitous shooting. But most of the time I believe they were killing the wounded.

Michelle

yeah i noticed the similarities as well, it's kind of annoying that they had to go and ruin it though. Quite frankly, I'd choose David Bowie over Pan's Labyrinth any day.

Anonymous

I just want too say that I have not seen Pan's Labyrinth and don't really mind if I don't. I love Labyrinth (David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly). I love the songs the most=)

tommiethon

Haha, I just saw Pan's Labyrinth last night, and I noticed a lot of those similarities too.
Both great films, although I prefer Jim Henson's Labyrinth. :P