The Dark Crystal

1982, Kids & family/Fantasy, 1h 35m

48 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The Dark Crystal's narrative never quite lives up to the movie's visual splendor, but it remains an admirably inventive and uniquely intense entry in the Jim Henson canon. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Jen (Stephen Garlick), raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He sets out to try to find a shard of the dark crystal, a powerful gem that once provided balance to the universe. After the crystal was broken, the evil Skeksis used sinister means to gain control. Jen believes that he can repair the dark crystal and bring peace back to the world, if he can only find the remaining shard.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Kids & family, Fantasy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Jim Henson, Frank Oz
  • Producer:
    Gary Kurtz, Jim Henson
  • Writer:
    David Odell, Jim Henson
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

John Baddeley
Historian
Voice
Stephen Garlick
Jen
Voice
David Buck
Slave Master
Voice
Barry Dennen
Chamberlain, Podling
Voice
Percy Edwards
Fizzgig
Voice
Michael Kilgarriff
General
Voice
Lisa Maxwell
Kira
Voice
Brian Muehl
Dying Mystic Master, Skeksis Ornamentalist
Voice
Jerry Nelson
High Priest, Dying Emperor
Voice
Joseph O'Conor
Narrator, Urskeks
Narrator
Jim Henson
Director
Frank Oz
Director
David Odell
Screenwriter
Jim Henson
Writer
David Lazer
Executive Music Producer
Gary Kurtz
Producer
Jim Henson
Producer
Trevor Jones
Original Music
Oswald Morris
Cinematographer
Ralph Kemplen
Film Editing
Harry Lange
Production Design
Brian Ackland-Snow
Art Director
Terry Ackland-Snow
Art Director
Charles Bishop
Art Director
Malcolm Stone
Art Director
Val Johnston
Costume Design
Leisja Limmer
Costume Design
Dusty Simmonds
Assistant Director
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Critic Reviews for The Dark Crystal

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (11)
Full Review… Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Ian Nathan Empire Magazine Full Review… Tasha Robinson AV Club Full Review… John Engstrom Boston Globe Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Phil Edwards Starburst Full Review… Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Full Review… Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Full Review… Mark Pickavance Den of Geek Full Review… Rob Hunter Film School Rejects
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for The Dark Crystal

  • Jan 24, 2016
    There is nothing that can justify the amount of effort put into creating something so visually stunning (the production design is spectacular) but none into such a tedious narrative that has no imagination, no energy, no sense of pacing and is full of annoying characters.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2015
    A cult film in every sense of the word. Henson and Oz created a puppet movie to end all puppet movies, this one has nothing but puppets and it maintains seriousness in the structure and storyline. Films like this should not exist, it is incredible they managed to create a film so layered with texture and beauty. The film has aged incredibly well and I had moments of nostalgic memories last night, I have not watched this film since childhood. Watching this on the big screen was a dream come true and it is a masterpiece in certain aspects. The film has not aged terribly and it maintains unpredictability, unlike the Hollywood films now. 03/09/2018.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Mar 22, 2015
    Fantastic puppetry with a charming and well-executed fantasy universe. The voice acting is quite good as well. On the other hand, the story is flat and the characters lack any depth whatsoever. All in all, an entertaining adventure story.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 16, 2014
    Great puppet/set designs, and I like the twists in the mostly standard fantasy/quest plot, but this could have afforded to be a little longer with more character development for the two central heroes.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
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