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. 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.

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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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$40,577,001

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

Brian Froud's fascination with lobsters led to many crustacean touches in the design of the film, particularly in the design of the Garthim, the henchmen of the Skeksis.

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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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Connections

Featured in Henson's Place (1984)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A very imaginative tale that's easy to love.

"Another world. Another time. In the Age of Wonder." So begins the classic fantasy story that is The Dark Crystal, Henson's best and, to date, only all-creature film. My father bought this movie for me the day I was born, so I quite literally grew up watching it. It's a story that never gets old. The characters are unforgettable, with a wonderful musical score that sticks in the head. Jen, the main character, finds that he is ordained to fulfill a prophecy finally revealed to him by his master, the wisest of the Mystics. A single crystal shard was lost long ago, and must be recovered before the three suns align in the sky. But Jen must first find the shard, and then figure out what to do with it once he has it, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of the cruel Skeksis. And time is running out. The thing that I think makes this movie so memorable is the fact that it is so unlike other fantasy films. It exists in a world all its own, with new creatures and characters you don't find in other films. If looking for a companion to the film, I recommend the book of the same name. It goes into more detail about the world of Thra, and I feel it greatly enhances the immersion into the film. I recommend this film to any fantasy fan who has not seen it, and if you have seen it, I find it worth seeing again.