| | | | The Dark Crystal
(1982) |
nother World, Another Time...In the Age of Wonder...Two Gelflings, Jen and Kira, must make a Quest to heal the Dark Crystal and save their World from the evil Skeksis, before the three suns join as one.
The story so far...
A thousand years ago the Crystal cracked and two new races appeared, the wise Mystics and the evil Skeksis. The Skesis took control over everything, but there was a prophecy that a gelfling would end Skesis Power. So fearing for their lives the Skeksis killed all Gelflings, and now only Jen and Kira survive. So each one, with their own gifts, must help the other. But there are many obstacles ahead of them. One of the most important being the self-centered Skeksis Chamberlain looking for a way to end his exile.
Will Jen and Kira heal the crystal before the great conjunction, will they save their world or will the evil Skeksis live forever...
Can you prophesy the end of the film, if you think you can remember Prophets don’t know everything! So for the answer to this and many other questions I suggest you watch this delightful fantasy from Jim Henson.
 Don't forget that The Dark Crystal is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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I didn't catch this film when it was in theatres, but in '83 a girl in my third grade class came to school with a Dark Crystal lunchbox. Needless to say I was hooked from that moment on.
I later traded her something and recieved a few trading cards from the movie. I carried these around for years until I finally saw The Dark Crystal... Today it is still my Favorite film, and I know every line. I hope that you will feel the same way. Hopefully this movie will be passed from generation to generation, and will survive the test of time.
On that note I dedicate this review in loving memory to Jim Henson...Who has brought me and many others so much joy.
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"The Dark Crystal" was the first Jim Henson movie to have only puppets (no actors seen)  -Thanks to Brian Snoderly
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A sequel to "The Dark Crystal" called "The Power of the Dark Crystal" is in production. It reunites many of the performers from the first movie and Lisa, Jim Henson's daughter is the producer. It's set to be released in 2009. -Thanks to Hanne Kjersem
Almost cut was the name of the Mystics. They were originally called the Ur-ru. If you listen carefully during the Great Conjunction scene, a Skeksis voice identifies the UrRu as they are entering. It is indeed the only mention of their name in the movie. -Thanks to Leigh Barrett
Co-director Frank Oz and co-producer Gary Kurtz previously worked on "The Empire Strikes Back" where Oz served as the voice of Yoda and Kurtz was producer of the Lucasfilm hit. -Thanks to Robert Baum
Later, Henson and Froud reunited for "Labyrinth."
Fizzgig was primarily a hand puppet, the SkekSis and UrRu all had one performer inside to provide gross movement, plus up to three others operating facial and secondary features. Landstriders were performers on stilts, Garthim performers in fibreglass suits, Pod People, Nebri, Auhgra, etc, - puppets. Long shots of Jen and Kira used performers with masks. -Thanks to Paul Sauberlich
The choreographer for the puppet actors (in the full suits) was Gates McFadden, better known as Dr. Beverly Crusher from Start Trek: The Next Generation. -Thanks to Suzie Quzie
In 2002 special Edition, collectable dolls were released. Jen came with the shard and his flute as well as a stand. Kira came with a fizgig and wings sewn into her costume.
Jim Henson was the voice of Jen.
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check out this list: ..... Annie ..... Labyrinth ..... E.T. ..... Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ..... Goonies ..... NeverEnding Story ..... Who Framed Roger Rabbit ..... Wizard ..... Dragon That Wasn't (Or Was He?) ..... Savannah Smiles ..... Ratboy ..... Frankenweenie ..... Santa Claus: The Movie ..... Explorers .....[More]
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The artist who designed the film was Brian Froud. He has several books in print on Fairy's. My favorite being "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book."
The creators of the film did not originally intend to have the characters speak English. The vision of the film was very different, and it was shot to be mainly silent - with musical overture and minimal, non-earth dialogue. This is why there is so much overdubbing of Jen thinking, his masters thinking and so on. Each group originally had its own made-up language. The Podlings and animals maintain their languages, as to account for and demonstrate Kira's gift as a linguist. This somewhat changes the effect of the scene in which Gen discovers that Kira can speak "gelfling" language. This is why the dialogue is so superficial: The visual elements were meant to stand on their own. Of course, Henson was a great business man, and the film was decidedly unmarketable, especially in the Hollywood paradigm, without English speaking characters. -Thanks to Kimber
The film was originally to use an original language but after viewing this, the decision was made to re-dub into English. -Thanks to Mak Wilson - Puppeteer/CGI Animation Director With Jim Henson'S Creature Shop
Lisa Maxwell who voiced the character Kira, Plays Samantha Nixon in the UK's popular Police drama the Bill, and was also regulary featured on UK comedian Benny Hill's show. She once stated that the language that she used on the film was not scripted for her, she ad libbed it. -Thanks to Sara Jayne
There were originally several scenes that Jim Henson decided to cut from the film. The funeral scene being one of these. It's funny how they were left in the book "The World of the Dark Crystal."
Artist Brian Froud and puppet designer Wendy Midener met on the set. They later married and had a son named Toby who played the baby in "Labyrinth". -Thanks to Hanne Kjersem
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|  |  |  | | The Dark Crystal
Locations |
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The Dark Crystal was filmed at Elstree Studios, near London, England. [Thanks to Sarah]
The movie was filmed in the same soundstage that was used for "Star Wars". [Thanks to Robert Walker]
See any errors? Something we've missed? [Let us know]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Featurette, OutTakes, Score |
| | | | Trailer, Featurette, OutTakes |
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The movie had a wonderful 'ahead of it's time' Pure Moods style soundtrack by under-appreciated composer Trevor Jones.
The soundtrack is now available as a limited edition. Use our search device.
The techno/trance band "Crystal Method" uses the beginning verses of the "Dark Crystal" movie as their intro on thier "Vegas" CD. -Thanks to Jeri Burke
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Soundtrack Available:
On CD
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