The Dark Crystal (1982)

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93 min - Animation | Adventure | Family - 17 December 1982 (USA)

7.0

Ratings: 7.0/10 from 19,718 users
Reviews: 176 user | 71 critic

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.

Directors:

Jim Henson, Frank Oz

Writers:

Jim Henson (story), David Odell (screenplay)

Stars:

Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen and Frank Oz

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Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations See more awards »

Cast

Full cast and crew »

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Storyline

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! The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile the orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skesis their power and restore the balance of the universe. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »

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Details

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1982 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El cristal encantado See more »

Filming Locations:

Twyecross, Leicestershire, England, UK See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,657,335 (USA) (19 December 1982) (858 Screens)

Gross:

$40,577,001 (USA) (9 January 1983)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Jim Henson Productions, Henson Associates (HA) See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

See full technical specs »

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Banned in strict Islamic countries due to content that was deemed "sacreligious" to the Islamic religion. Therefore, every Arabic-dubbed and Farsi-dubbed copy was destroyed by the censors. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Aughra squats down and tells Jen "There is much to be learned and you have no time." As she says that there is a piece of hair in her mouth, as she says the line it falls out, but when they cut back to her the hair is back in her mouth. See more »

Quotes

Scientist: You're next, little Podling!
[puts Podling in chair]
Scientist: This won't hurt. We just want to drain your living essence. Then you can be the same as the other Podlings here, a slave.
[turns to his assistant]
Scientist: Open the wall!
[wall opens revealing fiery shaft]
Scientist: Now, Podling. Out there is the great shaft of the castle. Position the reflector.
[reflector moves into position]
Scientist: The reflector will capture the beams of the Dark Crystal floating high above. Look into the relfector, Podling. Feel the power of the Dark Crystal!
[the reflector shines purple light into the Podling's eyes]
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

The opening credits show only the credits for the crew. See more »

Connections

Spoofed in "Robot Chicken: The Ramblings of Maurice (#4.16)" (2009) See more »

The Dark Crystal (1982)

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Details

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Opening Weekend:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Goofs

Quotes

Crazy Credits

Connections

Cast overview, first billed only:
	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)