Dark Crystal

Dark Crystal is a fantasy adventure film for children. It was directed by puppeteers Jim Henson and Frank Oz, creators of The Muppet Show. The film is set on a far away world populated by imaginary creatures based in fairytale and folklore. It is a morality tale on the need to have a balance between good and evil.

At its time of release the film was overshadowed by ET: The Extraterrestrial and was seen by parents to be too dark a story for children. However, it has since found a loyal following mainly from people who enjoyed it as children during the 1980’s.

All the characters are animatronics models and the film was originally billed as the first all action film with no human beings on the screen. The fact that there are no humans on the screen makes the film all the more believable.

The plot centres on Jen a young gelfling who, when his teacher dies, sets out on a mission to heal the Dark Crystal and save the world from the evil Skeksis. On the way he meets another gelfling Kira and they inevitably fall in love. On the way to fulfil the prophecy Jen meets all kinds of creatures and battles evil forces to finally reach the Dark Crystal.

Cinema release 1982

Certificate PG

Available on DVD and Blue Ray