The Dark Crystal (1982)

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:

David Odell (screenplay), Jim Henson (story)

Stars:

Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Henson	...	Jen, a Gelfling (performer) / High Priest, a Ritual Master (performer)
Kathryn Mullen	...	Kira, a Gelfling (performer)
Frank Oz	...	Aughra, a Keeper Of Secrets (performer) / Chamberlain (performer)
Dave Goelz	...	Fizzgig, a Friendly Monster (performer) / General, Garthim Master (performer)
Steve Whitmire	...	Scientist (voice)
Louise Gold	...	Gourmand (performer)
Brian Muehl	...	Ornamentalist (performer and voice) / Urzah (performer) / Dying Master (performer and 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	...	Mystic Cook (performer)
Robbie Barnett	...	Numerologist (performer) / Landstrider (performer)
Swee Lim	...	Hunter (performer) / Landstrider (performer)
Simon J. Williamson	...	Chanter (performer) (as Simon Williamson)

Storyline

Another planet, another time. One thousand 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, 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 Skeksis their power and restore the balance of the universe.

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Plot Keywords:

mystic | magical crystal | crystal shard | sword and sorcery | puppetry | 

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Taglines:

When evil screams throughout the world, when all three suns converge, when all that's fair and fine seems lost... a hero will emerge!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dark Chrysalis

Filming Locations:

Twyecross, Leicestershire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,657,335, 19 December 1982

Gross USA:

$41,357,492

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$41,373,966

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Jim Henson Productions, Henson Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray feature 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 movie, 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!" Also, in the German dubbed version, the Mystics are also referred to as ur-Ru. The filmmaker's decision to rename them came too late for the German dialogue track, which was already in the making at the time.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good - until the Crystal cracked. For a single piece was lost; a shard of the Crystal. Then strife began, and two new races appeared: the cruel Skeksis, the gentle Mystics. Here in the castle of the Crystal, the Skeksis took control. Now the Skeksis gather in the sacred chamber, where the Crystal hangs above a shaft of air and fire. The Skeksis with their hard and twisted bodies, their ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits show only the credits for the crew.

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Alternate Versions

The original home video release replaced the theatrical end credit roll (the credits rolled over an image of the last shot of the film) with a different, video-based one (end credits rolling over an image of Aughra's face.). Subsequent home video releases restored the original end credit roll.

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Connections

Spoofed in Robot Chicken: The Ramblings of Maurice (2009)

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Soundtracks

Gelfling Song
(uncredited)
Written by Trevor Jones
Performed by Lisa Maxwell

User Reviews

I beg to differ with you hotoil

As Far as the dark crystal is concerned i'm not sure if u actually watched the same movie or not, First of all as far as Character development the entire world of the dark crystal was to be the main character not just jen... jen was a small part in the entire journey... represented by the premise that everything in the dark crystal was inner connected. I watched this movie as child when it first came out and i watch it still today, by no means at either time did i find it to be boring or "scary" or too dark.... as far as spectacular special effects , i dunno if u realize this or not but it was all done without cgi which in and of itself is a small miracle.

So in closeing i would recommend this movie to any family lookin for a fun ride and a great story.