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

In February 1978, Jim Henson and his daughter Cheryl Henson found themselves stuck at an airport hotel when Kennedy Airport was struck by a snowstorm. They worked out the details of the film's world on numerous sheets of hotel note paper. The notes became inspiration for screenplay. Work on the film didn't begin in earnest until 1979, after the completion of The Muppet Movie (1979) which was shot in Los Angeles. This film was shot in England, back to back with The Great Muppet Caper (1981).

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Goofs

When Jen and Kira are climbing into the Castle via the water duct, Kira bumps her head on the tooth of the water-spouting gargoyle.

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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

A Skesis funeral scene for the Emperor was cut from the original release. The negatives from this scene were lost, but a home video of the scene appeared years later on special-edition LDs and DVDs.

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Connections

Featured in The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

An awesome fantasy film from Jim Henson

This is an awesome fantasy film from The Muppets' very own Jim Henson. The film has an essence of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the ever popular "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I thought it's an amazing planet/world with such fascinating creatures and places too. My favorite Dark Crystal creature is the Gelfling like Jen & Kira, who are also my favorite characters from the film - they are so adorable.

I must comment on Brian Froud for his conceptual art for each race in the film. And also Trevor Jones' excellent music score too. Very good job, guys, you are AWESOME! My favorite scenes are when Jen visits Aughra to retrieve the crystal shard, and also when he meets Kira his main squeeze (*giggles*). I also love the scene when Jen & Kira are at the old Gelfling ruins.