The Dark Crystal (1982)

Directors:

Jim Henson
Frank Oz

Writers:

Jim Henson (story)
David Odell (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 December 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Another World, Another Time... In the Age of Wonder.

Plot:

Another planet, another time. 1000 years ago the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began...

Plot Keywords:

Sorceress | Good Versus Evil | Stylized | Evil | Magic

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Jim Henson	...	Jen, A Gelfling (performer) / High Priest (Ritual Master) (performer) / Podling (performer) / Additional Characters (uncredited)
Kathryn Mullen	...	Kira, A Gelfling (performer) / Jen, A Gelfling (assistant) / Additional Characters (uncredited)
Frank Oz	...	Aughra, A Keeper Of Secrets (performer) / Chamberlain (performer) / Podling (performer) / Additional Characters (uncredited)
Dave Goelz	...	Fizzgig, A Friendly Monster (performer) / General (Garthin Master) (performer) / Dying Emperor (performer) / Podling (performer)
Steve Whitmire	...	Scientist (performer and voice) / Kira, A Gelfling (assistant) (voice)
Louise Gold	...	Gourmand (performer)
Brian Muehl	...	Ornamentalist (performer and voice) / Urzah (performer) / Dying Master (performer and voice) (voice)
Bob Payne	...	Historian (Scrollkeeper) (performer)
Mike Quinn	...	Slave Master (performer)
Tim Rose	...	Treasurer (performer)
Jean-Pierre Amiel	...	Weaver (performer) (as Jean Pierre Amiel)
Hugh Spight	...	Cook / Landstrider (performer)
Robbie Barnett	...	Numerologist (performer) / Landstrider (performer)
Swee Lim	...	Hunter / Landstrider - Performer
Simon Williamson	...	Chanter (performer)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Malaysia:(Banned) | Hong Kong:I | Japan:G | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:All | Iran:(Banned) | Iceland:LH | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1986) | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Twyecross, Leicestershire, England, UK

Company:

Henson Associates (HA)

Trivia:

At the time it was made, it was hailed as the only live action film in which a human actor makes no appearance.

Goofs:

Continuity: The Gelfling puppets have three fingers and one thumb on each hand. When Kira and Jen make their way into the castle via a mouth-like entrance, Kira's right hand has five fingers in the long shot (actors, not puppets, were used for long shots of the Gelflings).

Quotes:

Aughra: Mouldy mildew, mother of mouthmuck, dangle and strangle and death.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'MirrorMask' (2006) (V)

If only Jim were still with us...what magic he'd make!

When this movie first came out (1982) I was 13 years old, and remember seeing it in the theatre with friends. I loved it then and love it now. It remains one of the best fantasy films of all time, but only because of the sheer effort given to it by the Henson company; only he could have made this all work. His genius is timeless. If only he were still alive now to make more films like this (and better!)

Our world is a dimmer place without Jim Henson.