Featuring fantastical puppet flora and fauna from Muppet man Jim Henson, this dark but wonderful children's movie follows Jen and Kira, two young Gelflings who are the last of their kind, as they try to fulfill the prophecy of the Dark Crystal. Jen's wise master reveals on his deathbed that only a Gelfling will mend the crystal that cracked 1,000 years ago and placed the land under the dark rule of the evil, selfish Skeksis. To break the prophecy, the Skeksis killed all the Gelflings, and only Jen and Kira escaped their wrath. Now, though, Jen and Kira must journey into the heart of the Skeksis castle to reach the crystal and return the land to its former goodness.
Like all good children's movies, THE DARK CRYSTAL contains enough scary elements to keep the tension tight and the kids enthralled, while the puppet mastery will impress and tickle adults. THE DARK CRYSTAL was the first co-directorial effort of Frank Oz, who went on to direct THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, IN & OUT, and BOWFINGER, among many other comedies.
A fantastical, puppet-filled adventure, this tale co-directed by Muppet creator Jim Henson and Frank Oz reveals the story of Jen, a young Gelfling boy chosen by prophecy to mend the Dark Crystal, which broke 1,000 years ago and plunged the land under the dominion of the evil, quarrelsome Skeksis. Fearing the prophecy, whose fulfillment would mean the end of their reign, the Skeksis exterminated the Gelflings--all but Jen and Kira, a girl he meets on his journey to the crystal. Pursued by the Skeksis and their dark creatures, Jen and Kira race to the crystal, even as their time runs out.
THE DARK CRYSTAL was co-director Frank Oz's first directorial effort.
Co-directors Frank Oz and Jim Henson were famous for playing Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, respectively, in Muppet performances.
Jim Henson and his Creature Shop based the film's characters on designs by fantasy artist Brian Froud.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Box Set
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
Theatrical Trailers
Featurettes - 1. THE WORLD OF DARK CRYSTAL (60 mins.)
Deleted Scenes (2)
Original Character Language Work Print Scenes
Isolated Music Score by Trevor Jones
Text/Photo Galleries:
Cast & Crew Biographies
Production Notes
Character Concept Drawings and Profiles
Additional Products:
Senotype Film Frame
Jim Henson's Original Film Notes
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Review 1:
"...A dazzling technological and artistic achievement by a band of talented artists and performers..."
Source: Variety
12/15/1982
Review 2:
"...This live-action yet actorless exercise is distinct enough to stand apart from typical fantasy fare..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.107 11/28/2003