The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal

1982Movie93 minEnglish

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes74%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users85%
Director: Jim Henson, Frank OzGenres: Fantasy, Adventure, Family

Plot Summary

In a world of myth and magic, the Dark Crystal, a source of balance and life, has been shattered. A young Gelfling named Jen, raised in isolation, is tasked with finding the missing shard of the crystal and returning it to its rightful place. He must overcome the evil Skeksis, who seek to rule the land through its corrupted power, and enlist the help of the wise Mystics.

Critical Reception

The Dark Crystal was a visual marvel upon its release, lauded for its groundbreaking puppetry and imaginative world-building. While some critics found its narrative a bit too dark or simple for younger audiences, its unique artistry and ambition were widely recognized. Over time, it has gained a significant cult following for its distinctive fantasy aesthetic and Henson's signature blend of whimsy and gravitas.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its innovative and detailed puppetry and creature design.
  • Admired for its unique and immersive fantasy world.
  • Some found the plot simplistic and the tone too dark for children.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate The Dark Crystal for its incredible visual artistry, unique creature designs, and the imaginative world created by Jim Henson. Many remember it fondly as a childhood favorite, highlighting its magical atmosphere and memorable characters, though some find the narrative a bit convoluted or slow-paced at times.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. BAFTA Film Award for Best Special Visual Effects.

Fun Fact

The film features no human actors; all characters are puppets or animatronics, a unique approach to filmmaking at the time.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

When the old emperor dies, a new even nastier "Skeksis" one takes his place, and so begins this latest reign of terror for all the "Gelfling" on the distant world of "Thra". The only way to rectify things is for the dark crystal, damaged ae...
Datapotomus

Datapotomus

Some old things just don’t really hold up. I was hoping that this movie was going to be a lot better than it was. To myself, I thought it would be great as this was one of Jim Henson’s more notable films. However, the story didn’t really...