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:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Crystal | Shard | Evil | Quest | Monster

Awards:

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

Cast

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)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

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

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Was the highest-grossing box office release of 1983 in France and Japan.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the evil Ritual Master calls for the crystal bats to fly away to watch Jen and Kira you can see thin white strings as the bats fly from the castle ceiling.

Quotes:

Aughra: End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Triangles and Tribulations (2001) (V)

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.