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:

Stylized | Good Versus Evil | Dream Like | Cult Favorite | Creature

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

US Showtimes:

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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) | Japan:G | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | South Korea:All | Hong Kong:I | Iran:(Banned) | Canada:G (Quebec) | 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:

The little hairy things that crawl across and that the Creatures eat are modified wind-up toy robots that run like crazy on two legs as a round rolling central body that houses the wind up motor. The wind-up key was removable.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Jen and Kira are climbing into the Castle via the water duct, Kira bumps her head on the tooth of the water-spouting gargoyle.

Quotes:

Aughra: What was sundered and undone shall be whole - the two made one.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Robot Chicken: 1987 (#2.6)" (2006)

Still a great fantasy tale

The Dark Crystal holds well against the test of time. It has been only recently that movies that take place in a completely different fantasy world ("The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring") have become more feasible. Still, the Dark Crystal stands as an excellent tale of good versus evil.

Jim Henson and crew spent much to much time creating this movie, and the depth of their effort shows. However, some adults might find the story simplistic, and it is in the same manner that Labyrinth is. However, like Labyrinth, Dark Crystal succeeds in taking you to another place and immersing you in another world.

If you are a viewer interested in fantasy worlds, Dark Crystal will please you well. If you haven't seen it in years, get the DVD. It has a wonderful "making of" section, deleted funeral scenes, and isolated musical score.