The book: A novelization of a screenplay by Terry Jones, based on a story by Jim Henson and Dennis Lee. Mostly it's just lots of photos.

The film: Jim Henson demonstrates that when he strayed too far from the Muppets, he tended to lose his way. It's like a cross between the quest theme of The Wizard of Oz and a more raucous version of a Disney fairy tale, but it's not as good as that sounds.

The role: Bowie (typecast yet again) is The Goblin King and, if you're eight-years-old, he's probably quite convincing. The wig's certainly scary.

The co-stars: Jennifer Connelly makes a pretty decent screen debut, though her career never really went anywhere afterwards. Also present is Michael Hordern, but mostly it's the animated creatures that do the hard work

Most memorable image: Bowie wearing an absurd pair of tights and an even more absurd wig.

Star rating from the Radio Times Guide to Films:

Star rating from the Blockbuster Guide to Movies and Videos:

Star rating from the Virgin Film Guide: n/a

Trivia: For once Bowie was allowed to contribute some songs, one of which - 'Underground' - is amongst his finest work from the 1980s. (I know that's damning with faint praise, but really it was a good single that got lost somewhere along the line.)

The Goblin King	The Original Soundtrack