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... more
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
far, far away, but like Star Wars it takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the w...
far, far away, but likeStar Warsit takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the world...
Dark Crystal [1982]
Jim Henson's fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy
... more
far, far away, but like Star Wars it takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of JRR. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of 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. Henson and codirector Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits, and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory, and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped off the pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise The Dark Crystal is a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages. --Sean Axmaker
Dark Crystal [1982]
Jim Henson's fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy
... more
far, far away, but like Star Wars it takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of JRR. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of 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. Henson and codirector Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits, and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory, and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped off the pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise The Dark Crystal is a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages. --Sean Axmaker
Dark Crystal [1982]
Jim Henson's fantasy epicThe Dark Crystaldoesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy
... more
far, far away, but likeStar Warsit takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of JRR. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of 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. Henson and codirector Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits, and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory, and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped offthe pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwiseThe Dark Crystalis a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages.--Sean Axmaker
Dark Crystal [1982]
Jim Henson's fantasy epicThe Dark Crystaldoesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy
... more
far, far away, but likeStar Warsit takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of JRR. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of 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. Henson and codirector Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits, and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory, and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped off the pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwiseThe Dark Crystalis a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages.--Sean Axmaker
Advantages: Everything! Disadvantages: Far too often overlooked
...remain to comfort us.
Dark Crystal is a brilliant and daring piece of Henson’s work that is often overlooked. Development for this film began in 1977 although shooting did not start until 1981, and it wasn’t released until 1982. Henson was so taken with the illustrations of Brian Froud, that he asked Froud to create an elaborate visual world in which he could bring a unique tale to life. This was to be the first fully animatronic feature ... ...Story:
Long ago the Dark Crystal was damaged through the arrogance and greed of the Urskeks and an age of peace came to an end. Now control is divided between the evil, power-hungry Skekis and the peaceful, wise Mystics. Jen and Kira are the last of the Gelfling race which was destroyed or driven out long ago due to a now nearly forgotten prophecy. Only a Gelfling can heal the crystal and bring an end to this era of chaos. The Skekis, of course, ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Incredibly imaginative and creative, an absorbing and often beautiful film. Disadvantages: Very few-perhaps some of the animation (not the puppetry)
...adults, although there are some dark moments and scary images that may frighten the younger, more sensitive child, so best watch it with them. The traditional plot line - a hero defeating evil and ultimately saving his world- is one that will engage and inspire the younger viewer, and the art work and puppet work are skillfull and creative enough to make this a film perfect for many fantasy-loving adults.
The basic plot line is relatively simple ... ...are no human characters, instead there are two main races; the evil skeksis and the gentle, peace-loving mystics. The mystics are dying out however, and the way to prevent this is to return a shard of crystal to its original place in the huge crystal found in the skeksis castle. The hero is a gelfling, Jen, who believes he is the only one left of his forgotten race (although later he finds out that there is one other gelfling, conveniently female.) ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A Jim Henson story Disadvantages: not too sure yet
-The Dark Crystal the film was written by David Odell which was taken from a Jim Henson story.
-It was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz
-94 minutes long (1hr 34mins)
-Rated a 'pg'
- presented by Jim Henson Home Entertainment, Columbia Tristar Home video
- the best price is £1.85 from amazon.co.uk , I checked and i couldnt find out whether you had to pay for post and packaging though.
-The film was released in 1982.
- a science fiction film.
... ...was infamously known as the dark crystal from then on.this then divides the world into two halves where one side is controlled by the evil vulture looking skekses [skek-seas] and the other is occupied by the peace-keeping mystics. there was an ancient prophecy made that if the crystal was going to become pure once agian and the evil occupants of the world overthrown then a member of the gelfling race could only do so.Therefore the skekses over a ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
helpful
15.01.2005
Great movie Review ofDark Crystal (Superbit)by
mousicle
Advantages: No human actors visible! Disadvantages: Not many people have viewed it! Their loss!
...3 suns came together, the Dark Crystal was broken in two. A shard was lost, two controlling races came into being, the Mystics and the Skexies(not sure of the spelling!) Other races also inhabit the world. We see mostly Podlings and Gelfling (our hero and heroine). Prophecy predicts that a Gelfling will find the shard and mend the Crystal.
This Jim Henson movie follows the fortunes of the two Gelflings (the last of their race) as they race to fix ... ...My copy of the movie includes extra footage, of the story of the making of The Dark Crystal, with Jim Henson and Frank Oz.
I like the character of Ogra best!! She is a forceful creature!
Good movie and I would recommend it to anyone to see! ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Plot: A luxuriant live-action fantasy inhabited by alien beings and set in a world without light. Jen, the last survivor of an elfin-like race, sets to the task of returning a crystal shard to the all-powerful dark crystal, making it whole again and restoring light to the world.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 12/05/2003
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: CSB 11508
Barcode: 5035822150867
Languages
Main Language: English
Subtitle Language: Dutch, English, Hindi
Hearing Impaired Language: English
DVD Description
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.
Technical information
Special Features: None
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround, DTS Surround 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Surround English DTS Surround 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review: "...A dazzling technological and artistic achievement by a band of talented artists and performers..." (Variety, 15/12/1982)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 09/01/2002
Compare Dark Crystal (Superbit) to other similar Science Fiction & Fantasy
![Dark Crystal -- Superbit [1982]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65507078.jpg)
![Dark Crystal [1982]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65513532.jpg)
![Dark Crystal [1982]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65356117.jpg)
![Dark Crystal [1982]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65502523.jpg)
