IMDb > The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Dark Crystal
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The Dark Crystal (1982) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
The Dark Crystal (1982) -- US Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
The Dark Crystal (1982) -- US Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
The Dark Crystal (1982) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   14,449 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Jim Henson (story)
David Odell (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Dark Crystal on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 December 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy more
Tagline:
Another World, Another Time... In the Age of Wonder.
Plot:
On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and so restore order to his world. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
Where The Wild Things Are | Review
 (From SmellsLikeScreenSpirit. 15 October 2009, 8:06 PM, PDT)
'Gremlins' Get Wet And Eat After Midnight Under The Care Of MTV's Gore Girls
 (From MTV Movies Blog. 15 October 2009, 1:00 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Loved this movie for many ages.... more (160 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Jim Henson ... Jen / High Priest (Ritual Master) / Podling / Additional Characters
Kathryn Mullen ... Kira, A Gelfling (performer) / Jen, A Gelfling (assistant) / Additional Characters (uncredited)

Frank Oz ... Aughra - A Keeper Of Secrets / Chamberlain / Podling / Additional Characters
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 ... Ursol, The Chanter (performer)
Hus Levant ... Scribe (performer)
Toby Philpott ... Alchemist (performer)
David Greenaway ... Healer (performer) / Aughra, A Keeper Of Secrets (assistant) (as Dave Greenaway)
Richard Slaughter ... Healer (performer)

Kiran Shah ... Additional Performer / Jen (body) / Kira (body) (uncredited) / Aughra (body) (uncredited)
Mike Edmonds ... Additional Performer
Peter Burroughs ... Additional Performer
Malcolm Dixon ... Additional Performer
Sadie Corre ... Additional Performer

Deep Roy ... Additional Performer
Jack Purvis ... Additional Performer
Gerald Staddon ... Additional Performer (as Gerald Stadden)
Mike Cottrell ... Additional Performer
John Ghavan ... Additional Performer
Annie Jones ... Additional Performer (as Abbie Jones)
Natasha Knight ... Additional Performer
Lisa Esson ... Additional Performer
Stephen Garlick ... Jen (voice)
Lisa Maxwell ... Kira (voice)
Billie Whitelaw ... Aughra (voice)
Percy Edwards ... Fizzgig (voice)
Barry Dennen ... Chamberlain / Podling (voice)
Michael Kilgarriff ... General (voice)
Jerry Nelson ... High Priest / Dying Emperor (voice)
Thick Wilson ... Gourmand (voice)
John Baddeley ... Historian (voice)
David Buck ... Slave Master (voice)
Charles Collingwood ... Treasurer (voice)
Sean Barrett ... Urzah (voice)
Mike Iveria ... Podling (voice) (as Miki Iveria)
Patrick Monckton ... Podling (voice)
Sue Westerby ... Podling (voice)
Joseph O'Conor ... Narrator / Urskeks (voice)
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Directed by
Jim Henson 
Frank Oz 
Gary Kurtz (uncredited)
 
Writing credits
Jim Henson (story)

David Odell (screenplay)

Produced by
Jim Henson .... producer
Duncan Kenworthy .... associate producer
Gary Kurtz .... producer
David Lazer .... executive producer
Bruce Sharman .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Trevor Jones 
 
Cinematography by
Oswald Morris 
 
Film Editing by
Ralph Kemplen 
 
Production Design by
Harry Lange 
 
Art Direction by
Brian Ackland-Snow 
Terry Ackland-Snow 
Charles Bishop 
Malcolm Stone 
 
Costume Design by
Val Johnston 
Leisja Limmer 
 
Production Management
Bill Benson .... production supervisor
Philip Koehler .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Kurtz .... second unit director
Christopher Newman .... second assistant director (as Chris Newman)
Dusty Simmonds .... assistant director
 
Art Department
George Ball .... property manager
Frank Billington-Marks .... assistant property master
Alan Booth .... construction manager
Max Bowen .... construction manager
Ron Burkett .... supervising painter
Steve Court .... chargehand
Brian Froud .... conceptual designer
Richard Holland .... set designer
Katharina Kubrick .... assistant art director
Peter Mann .... constructor
Denis Rich .... concept artist
Roy Shave .... set master
Keith Short .... sculptor
Bill Stallion .... storyboard artist
Adrian Start .... chargehand painter
Peter Young .... set designer
Andy Aitken .... scenic plasterer/mould maker (uncredited)
Dennis Murray .... plasterer (uncredited)
Philip Sharpe .... set constructor (uncredited)
John Stevenson .... visual development (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Ben Burtt .... sound designer
Ben Burtt .... special sound effects
Brian Mann .... dialogue editor
Bill Rowe .... sound re-recording mixer
Nicholas Stevenson .... sound editor
Peter Sutton .... production sound
Don Wortham .... boom operator
 
Special Effects by
Bob Baldwin .... special effects
Bob Baldwin .... special mechanical design
Valerie Charlton .... creature costumes project leader
John Coppinger .... puppet designer
Leigh Donaldson .... special mechanical design
Nick Dudman .... foam latex technician
Tony Dunsterville .... special effects
Roy Field .... special effects supervisor
Robert Harman .... wire effects: production effects unit
Michael McCormick .... creature fabricator: 'Skeksis' unit
Brian Smith .... miniature effects supervisor
John Stephenson .... special mechanical design (as John Stevenson)
Paul Wilson .... photography: miniature effects
Ian Wingrove .... mechanical effects supervisor
Tad Krzanowski .... special mechanical effects & model effects: Henson Entertainment (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Craig Barron .... matte camera assistant
Martin Body .... matte camera operator
Christopher Evans .... matte paintings
Roy Field .... special visual effects
Neil Krepela .... matte department supervisor
Jim Miller .... other effects supervisor
Michael Pangrazio .... matte paintings
Brian Smithies .... special visual effects
Jon Sorensen .... visual effects
Charles Stoneham .... matte artist
Jonathan Taylor .... visual effects: first assistant camera
Janice Body .... matte art assistant (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Kiran Shah .... stunts
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Neil Binney .... camera operator: second unit
Derek Bowrie .... camera operator
David Browne .... camera operator
Derek V. Browne .... camera operator
Murray Close .... still photographer
Gary Cross .... electrician
Tim Dodd .... clapper loader
Ian Kelly .... video engineering supervisor
Steve Kitchen .... electrician
Jason Lehel .... camera trainee
John Leman .... gaffer
Vince Goddard .... electrician (uncredited)
Edward Summer .... stereoscopic still photographer (uncredited)
 
Animation Department
Debbie the Roboteer .... consultant: sculpture, animation and robotics
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Betty Adamson .... wardrobe supervisor
Sarah Bradpiece .... associate costume designer: "Skeksis"
Barbara S. Davis .... associate costume designer: "Gelflings/Podlings" (as Barbara Davis)
Shirley Denny .... associate costume designer: "Mystics"
Ellis Duncan .... associate costume designer: "Gelflings/Podlings"
Steven Gregory .... associate costume designer: "Skeksis"
Diana Moseley .... associate costume designer: "Mystics"
Patty Smith .... associate costume designer: "Gelflings/Podlings"
 
Editorial Department
Marcel Durham .... assembly editor
 
Music Department
Michael Clifford .... music editor
John A. Coleman .... orchestrator (as John Coleman)
Marcus Dods .... conductor
Dina Eaton .... music editor
Peter Knight .... orchestrator
John Richards .... music recordist
Eric Tomlinson .... music recordist
Graham Walker .... music supervisor
 
Other crew
Bunny Alsup .... assistant: Mr. Kurtz
Jean-Pierre Amiel .... choreographer
Jean-Pierre Amiel .... mime coach
Jerry Andrews .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Martin G. Baker .... assistant: Mr. Lazer
David Alan Barclay .... puppet builder
Sidney Barnsley .... unit accountant
Jill Bennett .... assistant accountant
Penny Campbell .... assistant: Mr. Henson
Valerie Charlton .... landstrider effects supervisor (as Val Charlton)
Tim Clarke .... mystic effects supervisor
Jill Colley .... assistant: Mr. Oz
Richard Dimbleby .... creature crew
Harry Franchetti .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Brian Froud .... creature design
Lew Grade .... presenter (as Lord Grade)
Rollin Krewson .... fizzgig effects supervisor
Cheryl Leigh .... script supervisor
Pamela Mann .... continuity: second unit
Michael McCormick .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Gates McFadden .... choreographer
Tom McLaughlin .... latex foam lab supervisor
Wendy Midener .... gelfling effects supervisor
Fred Nihda .... garthim effects supervisor
Brian Smithies .... special creature effects supervisor
Ann Tasker .... unit publicist
William Webb .... optical editorial coordinator
Paul Wilson .... creature crew
Ian Wingrove .... creature crew
Craig Miller .... marketing consultant (uncredited)
Bernard Rose .... production assistant (uncredited)
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
93 min
Country:
USA | UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Iceland:LH | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Iran:(Banned) | South Korea:All | Japan:G | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:6 | 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 more
Company:
Incorporated Television Company (ITC) more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The Special Edition DVD features several "workprint" takes showing early passes at dialogue. This early voice-over work differs from the final dialogue in several ways: the Skeksis speak in a foreign language, Frank Oz provided the voice of Aughra (sounding very similar to his voice work for Yoda in the Star Wars movies), and the Mystics were referred to by (presumably) their original name, the ur-Ru. The novelization was apparently based on this earlier version, referring to the "Trial By Stone" contest by its original name - "Hakskeekah" - and calling the Mystics the ur-Ru. In the final film, one reference to ur-Ru was not redubbed: when the Mystics enter the Skeksis Great Hall, SkekOk, the Scrollkeeper sees them and shouts "Ur-Ru!" more
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). more
Quotes:
Aughra: End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Robot Chicken: The Ramblings of Maurice (#4.16)" (2009) more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
30 out of 34 people found the following comment useful.
Loved this movie for many ages...., 21 January 2004
10/10
Author: Angel Meiru

Though I love the Muppets and other works of Jim Henson, I still say for years since my birth in 1982, The Dark Crystal has always grown on me. From interesting characters to surreal environments, this movie will capture the eyes of the imaginative and Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans. Though it may move slow at times, but it does not bother me. It gets me more into the world of the Dark Crystal, named Thyra.

It was also good for it's symbolism as well. The Dark Crystal like many classic children's shows and movies of its time did not talk down to kids nor underestimate their intelligence for that matter. In fact, the morals and symbolism appeals to non-discriminating adults as well.

P.S. I think the Skeksis are awesome! Especially the General, Chamberlain and the Mad Scientist Skeksis!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Dark Crystal (1982)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What disturbed you most about this film? crazytwinks13
Why did Aughra have the shard? frenchkiss_theelderly
7 Deadly Sins codyhoskins
Puppet monsters with glowing eyes are scary, CGI monsters are not lisacamillek
Dark Crystal or Labyrinth nessanddave
Those creatures reminded me of the Gelflings... prop_fan
more

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