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The Dark Crystal [Blu-ray]
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| Additional Blu-ray options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
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Blu-ray
August 31, 2009 "Please retry" | — | 1 | $23.26 | $19.26 |
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| Genre | Sci-Fi, Family |
| Format | AC-3, Blu-ray, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen, Dubbed |
| Contributor | Jim Henson |
| Language | English, French, Portuguese, Spanish |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 33 minutes |
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From the manufacturer
The Dark Crystal
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
The Dark Crystal 1982
Directors:Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Writers: David Odell (screenplay), Jim Henson (story)
Stars:Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz
Images from The Dark Crystal ( compliments of IMDB)
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Kira in Dark Crystal |
Jen in Dark Crystal |
Kira in The Dark Crystal |
Original Movie Poster |
Product Description
Product Description
In another time, The Dark Crystal - a source of Balance and Truth in the Universe - was shattered, dividing the world into two factions: the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the Crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign forevermore! It's up to Jen - the last of his race - to fulfill the prophecy that a Gelfling will return the missing shard to the Crystal and destroy the Skeksis' evil Empire. But will young Jen's courage be any match for the unknown dangers that await him? Revisit this masterful fantasy epic from the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson.
Amazon.com
Jim Henson's fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy 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 J.R.R. 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 recognize many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise it's a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages.--Sean Axmaker
Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Product Dimensions : 6.75 x 5.3 x 0.35 inches; 2.24 Ounces
- Item model number : 43396196841
- Director : Jim Henson
- Media Format : AC-3, Blu-ray, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen, Dubbed
- Run time : 1 hour and 33 minutes
- Release date : September 29, 2009
- Dubbed: : Spanish, Portuguese, French
- Subtitles: : English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- ASIN : B0016BWACI
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #7,708 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #2,981 in Blu-ray
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2021
Top reviews from the United States
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Rented from Amazon to watch with my 5yo son.
Good: The Dark Crystal is a technical masterpiece, showing the value and timelessness of true craftsmanship and practical effects. In the 21st century, this film would cost $200 million to make and be loaded with shoddy CGI and overbearing voice actors from your favorite Thursday night sitcoms. But in 1982, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and crew were given the creative freedom and resources to produce a tale that captured the imagination of viewers for generations. Images from TDC still both amaze and haunt to this day, from Trial by Stone, to Kira taking flight, to anytime the Garthim appear to terrorize. A terrific cast of characters and creatures, many of whom remain unnamed (yet unforgettable).
Bad: Unfortunately, the lead, Jen, is very weak. Although he starts off in a tropish, by-the-numbers foundling quest, his story quickly falls by the wayside as he is ushered from plot point to plot point. He's doesn't have much to do, and repeatedly ends up watching his female companion, Kira, steal the show. Not only does Kira repeatedly save the duo from imminent danger, [SPOILERS] but SHE is the one that makes the ultimate sacrifice in the climax while Jen sits mostly dumbfounded, waiting for inspiration.[/SPOILERS]
Other: I had no idea that Netflix was planning a 2018 prequel series to TDC before randomly settling down to watch this with my son, but the timing was great. Don't miss out on catching up on this classic before the new series hits!
Does the movie have its flaws? Of course, as does every movie. But the true test is does this movie hold up after all these years? And the answer is yet.
Top reviews from other countries
Nevertheless, it's a rare piece of uniqueness in an often bland cinematic landscape and for that it deserves a peek and perhaps more recognition than it got on its release.
It certainly didn't disappoint and remains a film I watch with great fondness. Technically this film is something else, the designs are lavish and suitably fantastic with a look and feel that's unique amongst fantasy, and probably all, children's films.
Is this really a kid's film though? The themes are dark for sure and the Skeksis are genuinely horrible, but like the best fairy stories it doesn't shy away from the darker side of life. But I have to say I think it would freak out particularly sensitive youngsters.
The plot is pretty basic. The orphan Gelfilng Jen has to leave his adoptive 'Mystic' protectors to ultimately 'heal' the titular Dark Crystal whose shattering so many years ago has led to the current threat over the land. So it's your basic young lad needs to save the world whilst becoming a man (well, an adult Gelfling at least). There's talk of a prophecy and a portentious conjunction of three suns but it's all fairly generic. The real strength of the film lies in its setting and its visual design.
I should mention that this film is 100% puppets and no human actors appear at all - at least not as humans but a few performers in suits may be apparent. The film makers were meticulous in their efforts to make this convincing and have succeeded admirably given the restrictions on manipulating rod puppets.
The Bluray release is a definite upgrade over DVD. The film was made in 1981 but the presentation is clear and sharp with a lot of detail visible. Is it one to demo your system with? Well no, but it's by far the best home presentation of this film you can get.
A mention must be made of Trevor Jone's score which really is quite beautiful. It adds a lot of character whilst sounding unique and linking up to the visuals well - the opening motif of the film being a case in point; very otherworldly and a bit haunting - a great score overall.
Extras listed are a bit different to the old region 1 DVD I have of this film but the old 'making of' feature is still present and this gives possibly the best overall view into how the film was made. It's shame to have lost the isolated musical track but then again, you do get a truhd 5.1 soundtrack so...
I had noticed talk the interweb over the last few year of a possible sequel (something about a 'girl of fire' from within the planet's core posing a threat to all mankind) which seemed to have got quite far down the development path only to read earlier this year that the project had effectively been cancelled which is a real shame.
Anyway, for any fan of the film this bluray is a worthy purchase.
The story is way outside the box and is nothing like you will be used to these days. This is old school story telling at its best and the entire movie is done using puppets. It is strange to see how much I have actually bonded with this movie as an adult just by watching it when I was a kid. The two main characters are extremely likable and you want them to make it. the Skeksis are nasty, disgusting dark scrawny vulture type creatures that desire nothing but power.
This movie is one that you will never forget.
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