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

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The Dark Crystal -- US Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
The Dark Crystal -- US Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   27,840 votes »
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Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Directors:
Jim Henson
Frank Oz
Writers:
David Odell (screenplay)
Jim Henson (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Dark Crystal on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 December 1982 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy See 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:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(229 articles)
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User Reviews:
Loved this movie for many ages.... See more (190 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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

Frank Oz ... Aughra - A Keeper Of Secrets / Chamberlain / Podling

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 ... Jen (body) / Kira (body) / Aughra (body)

Mike Edmonds
Peter Burroughs

Malcolm Dixon
Sadie Corre

Deep Roy

Jack Purvis
Gerald Staddon (as Gerald Stadden)
Mike Cottrell
John Ghavan
Annie Jones (as Abbie Jones)
Natasha Knight
Lisa Esson
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)
Patrick Monckton ... Podling (voice)
Susan Westerby ... Podling (voice) (as Sue Westerby)
Joseph O'Conor ... Narrator / Urskeks (voice)
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Directed by
Jim Henson 
Frank Oz 
 
Writing credits
David Odell (screenplay)

Jim Henson (story)

Produced by
Jim Henson .... producer
Duncan Kenworthy .... associate producer: Henson Organization
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 (supervising art director)
Malcolm Stone 
 
Set Decoration by
Peter Young 
 
Costume Design by
Brian Froud 
 
Makeup Department
Stuart Artingstall .... wigs and hair
 
Production Management
Bill Benson .... production supervisor
Philip Kohler .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Kurtz .... second unit director
Nick Laws .... third assistant director
Christopher Newman .... second assistant director (as Chris Newman)
Dusty Symonds .... first assistant director
Gareth Tandy .... assistant director: miniature effects unit
Vincent Winter .... assistant director: second unit
Keith Young .... third assistant director
 
Art Department
Brian Archer .... modeller
George Ball .... property master
Michael Boone .... draftsman
Alan Booth .... construction manager
Roger Bowles .... draftsman
Reg Bream .... draftsman
Fred Britten .... head carpenter
Roy Carnon .... sketch artist
Richard Dawking .... assistant art director
Dixie Dean .... head painter
Don Dossett .... draftsman
Harry Eckford .... head stagehand
Fred Evans .... assistant art director
Eddie Francis .... property supervisor
Brian Froud .... conceptual designer
Andrew Holder .... modeller
Richard Holland .... set designer
Denis Hopperton .... property supervisor
Bernard Kramer .... modeller
Katharina Kubrick .... assistant art director
Bill Lowen .... head rigger (as William Lowen)
Jim Morahan .... draftsman
Allan Moss .... chargehand modeller
Brian Muir .... modeller (as Brian Ian Muir)
Ray Perry Sr. .... property supervisor (as Ray Perry)
Michael G. Ploog .... sketch artist (as Mike Ploog)
Denis Rich .... sketch artist
Edward Rodrigo .... chief buyer (as Roddy Rodrigo)
Keith Short .... modeller
Bill Stallion .... sketch artist
Peter Voysey .... modeller (as Peter J. Voysey)
Sid Whitlock .... head plasterer
Barry Wilson .... drapes master
Andy Aitken .... scenic plasterer/mould maker (uncredited)
Frank Billington-Marks .... assistant property master (uncredited)
Ron Burkett .... supervising painter (uncredited)
Sal Denaro .... foam technician (uncredited)
Sal Denaro .... puppet maker (uncredited)
Peter Mann .... constructor (uncredited)
Philip Sharpe .... set constructor (uncredited)
Roy Shave .... set master (uncredited)
Adrian Start .... chargehand painter (uncredited)
John Stevenson .... visual development (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Campbell Askew .... foley editor
Ben Burtt .... special sound effects creator
Louis Elman .... dialogue supervisor
Robert Gavin .... foley assistant
Brian Mann .... dialogue editor
John Nuth .... assistant sound editor
Bill Rowe .... sound re-recording mixer
Nicholas Stevenson .... sound editor
Peter Sutton .... production sound
Robert Taylor .... production sound (as Bob Taylor)
Derek Trigg .... assistant sound editor
Don Wortham .... production sound
 
Special Effects by
James Acheson .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Johanna Allman .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit (as Joanna Allman)
Sherry Amott .... creative supervisor: creature development
Sherry Amott .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Mystics", "Podlings" and "Slaves"
Jerry Andrews .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Elvira Angelinetta .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Brian Baker .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Bob Baldwin .... special mechanical design
David Alan Barclay .... creature fabricator: "Aughra" and "Urskeks" unit (as David Barclay)
Peter Bennion .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Cindy Bishop .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
David Blazer .... creature fabricator: "Gelfling" unit
Sarah Bradpiece .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Skeksis"
Vin Burnham .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
George Chamberlain .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Valerie Charlton .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Landstriders"
Tim Clarke .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Mystics"
Debbie Coda .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Lyle Conway .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Skeksis", "Aughra" and "Urskeks"
Linda Cooper .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
John Coppinger .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Environmental Creatures"
Steve Court .... creature fabricator: "Aughra" and "Urskeks" unit
Chris Dartnell .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Bill Dennis .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Leigh Donaldson .... creature fabricator: "Gelfling" unit
Leigh Donaldson .... special mechanical design
Tony Dunsterville .... effects engineer: production effects unit
Dominic Farrugia .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Faz Fazakas .... radio control design
Joe Fitt .... effects technician: production effects unit (as Joseph Fitt)
Mike Flynn .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Nick Forder .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Barry Fowler .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Harry Franchetti .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Brian Froud .... creature design
Graeme Galvin .... creature fabricator: "Aughra" and "Urskeks" unit
Joan Garrick .... foam latex associate
Peter Gillow .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Guy Grebot .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Charles Green .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit (as Charlie Green)
Sarah Gunn .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Robert Harman .... wire effects: production effects unit (as Bob Harman)
Marianne Harms .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit (as Marianne Harmes)
David Harris .... effects technician: production effects unit
Jez Harris .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit (as Jeremy Harris)
Cheryl Henson .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Sue Higgins .... foam latex associate
Jeremy Hunt .... creature fabricator: "Aughra" and "Urskeks" unit
Michael Jeffries .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Paul Jiggins .... creature fabricator: "Aughra" and "Urskeks" unit
Bob Keen .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
June Kirby .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Lyn Kramer .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Rollin Krewson .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Fizzgig"
Tad Krzanowski .... special mechanical design
Ann Lodge .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Nick Lyons .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Sarah-Jane McClelland .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Michael McCormick .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Tom McLaughlin .... foam latex supervisor
Heather Menczer .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Wendy Midener .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Gelfling"
Stephen Miles .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit (as Stephen T. Miles)
Tim Miller .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Environmental Creatures"
Sarah Monzani .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Dianne Murphy .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit (as Diane Murphy)
Dennis Murray .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Ron Nash .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Fred Nihda .... creature design and fabrication supervisor: "Garthim"
Mike Osborn .... creature fabricator: "Gelfling" unit
Chris Ostwald .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Peter Owen .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Bob Payne .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Helen Pettit .... creature fabricator: "Garthim" unit
Michael Quinn .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Stuart Robinson .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
Peter Saunders .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Terry Schubert .... effects technician: production effects unit
Ian Scoones .... effects technician: production effects unit
Rodger Shaw .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit (as Roger Shaw)
John Stephenson .... special mechanical design
Eileen Sullivan .... creature fabricator: "Mystic" unit
John Thirtle .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Nigel Trevessey .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Raymond Tricker .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit (as Ray Tricker)
Amy Van Gilder .... creature fabricator: "Podling" unit
Tim Wheeler .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Geoff Wiles .... creature fabricator: "Landstrider" unit
Cas Willing .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Ian Wingrove .... mechanical effects supervisor: production effects unit
Henrietta Worrall-Thompson .... creature fabricator: "Skeksis" unit
Nick Dudman .... foam latex technician (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Johanna Abey .... camera assistant: miniature effects unit
Craig Barron .... scenic matte photography assistant: ILM
Martin Body .... matte camera operator
Dick Dimbleby .... optical printing supervisor (as Richard Dimbleby)
Christopher Evans .... scenic matte paintings: ILM (as Chris Evans)
Roy Field .... special visual effects
Reg Hall .... camera grip: miniature effects unit (as R.H. Hall)
Andrew Jeffery .... assistant optical effects (as Andy Jeffery)
Neil Krepela .... scenic matte photography: ILM
John Morgan .... camera operator: miniature effects unit
Michael Pangrazio .... scenic matte paintings: ILM (as Mike Pangrazio)
Bill Pochetty .... gaffer: miniature effects unit (as Billy Pochetty)
Gordon Routledge .... head carpenter: miniature effects unit
Brian Smithies .... director: miniature effects unit
Brian Smithies .... special visual effects
Charles Stoneham .... additional matte artist
Jonathan Taylor .... camera assistant: miniature effects unit
Paul Wilson .... director of photography: miniature effects unit
Janice Body .... matte art assistant (uncredited)
Jon Sorensen .... visual effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Kiran Shah .... stunts
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Maurice Arnold .... senior camera assistant
Neil Binney .... operating cameraman: second unit
Richard Blanshard .... still photographer
Derek V. Browne .... operating cameraman (as Derek Browne)
Murray Close .... still photographer
Tim Dodd .... camera assistant
John Harman .... gaffer
Ian Kelly .... supervising video engineer
Dennis Lewis .... camera grip
Mike Lloyd .... camera assistant: second unit (as Michael Lloyd)
Brian Osborn .... camera grip
Derek Sheriff .... rigging gaffer
Tony Woodcock .... camera assistant: second unit
Gary Cross .... electrician (uncredited)
Vince Goddard .... electrician (uncredited)
Steve Kitchen .... electrician (uncredited)
Jason Lehel .... camera trainee (uncredited)
Edward Summer .... stereoscopic still photographer (uncredited)
 
Animation Department
Debbie the Roboteer .... consultant: sculpture, animation and robotics (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Betty Adamson .... wardrobe supervisor
Sarah Bradpiece .... associate costume designer: "Skeksis"
Barbara S. Davis .... associate costume designer: "Gelfling" and "Podlings" (as Barbara Davis)
Shirley Denny .... associate costume designer: "Mystics"
Ellis Duncan .... associate costume designer: "Gelfling" and "Podlings"
Steven Gregory .... associate costume designer: "Skeksis"
Val Jones .... costumer
Lesja Liber .... costumer
Diana Moseley .... associate costume designer: "Mystics" (as Diana Mosley)
Polly Smith .... associate costume designer: "Gelfling" and "Podlings"
 
Editorial Department
Marcel Durham .... assembly film editor
William Webb .... optical editorial coordinator
 
Music Department
Michael Clifford .... music editor
John A. Coleman .... orchestrator (as John Coleman)
Marcus Dods .... conductor
Dina Eaton .... music editor
David Firman .... synthesized electronic sounds
Brian Gascoigne .... synthesized electronic sounds (as Brian Gasgoigne)
Richard Harvey .... soloist
Trevor Jones .... synthesized electronic sounds
Skaila Kanga .... soloist
Peter Knight .... orchestrator
David Lawson .... synthesized electronic sounds
John Richards .... music recordist
Chris Taylor .... soloist
Eric Tomlinson .... music recordist
Graham Walker .... music coordinator
 
Other crew
Bunny Alsup .... assistant to producer
Jean-Pierre Amiel .... choreography and mime training
Martin G. Baker .... assistant to executive producer (as Martin Baker)
Sidney G. Barnsby .... production accountant
Jill Bennett .... assistant accountant
Bi Benton .... production coordinator
Jennifer Collen-Smith .... assistant publicist
Jill Colley .... assistant to directors
Patsy de Lord .... assistant to directors
Ken Gordon .... set controller
Lew Grade .... presenter (as Lord Grade)
Roberta Jimenez .... publicity and promotion coordinator
Grant Kingham .... production aide
Cheryl Leigh .... continuity
Pamela Mann .... continuity: second unit
Redmond Morris .... location manager: second unit
Mary Richards .... production assistant
Moyra Simpson .... production aide
Ann Tasker .... unit publicist
Kirsten Wing .... assistant publicist
Penny Campbell .... assistant: Jim Henson (uncredited)
Gates McFadden .... choreographer (uncredited)
Craig Miller .... marketing consultant (uncredited)
Bernard Rose .... production assistant (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Dennis Foley .... special thanks
Alan Garner .... special thanks
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
93 min
Country:
USA | UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1986) | USA:PG (Approved No. 26137) | West Germany:12 | Iceland:LH | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Iran:(Banned) | South Korea:All | Japan:G | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:6 | Portugal:M/6
Filming Locations:
Twyecross, Leicestershire, England, UKSee more »
Company:
Incorporated Television Company (ITC)See more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Early drafts of the script featured Jen and Kira traveling through the underworld where they encountered a race of underground mining creatures. This concept was later integrated by Jim Henson into "Fraggle Rock" (1983) and served as the partial basis for the story of The Power of the Dark Crystal (????).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:
Kira:[to Jen] Heal the Crystal!See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Chuck: Chuck Versus the Tango (#1.3)" (2007)See more »

FAQ

Has anybody noticed that Kira speaks russian, serbian or simillar slavic language, when she adresses fizzygig or other animals?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
40 out of 46 people found the following review useful.
Loved this movie for many ages...., 21 January 2004
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!

Was the above review useful to you?
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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
Why did they want to drain kiras essence? zyggums
Dark Crystal or Labyrinth nessanddave
Puppet monsters with glowing eyes are scary, CGI monsters are not lisacamillek
Did anyone else notice that electik_girl
Did they break the crystal on purpose? zyggums
What disturbed you most about this film? crazytwinks13
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