The Dark Crystal **** (1982, voices of Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Brian Muehl, Steve Whitmire) – Classic Movie Review 8499

The Muppets’ men Jim Henson and Frank Oz create a convincing and magical universe of puppets with this elaborate, magical family fantasy adventure that soon casts quite a spell in the 1982 British film The Dark Crystal.

Henson provides the voice of Jen, the young Gelfling who must set off on a hazardous quest to find the shard to heal the dark crystal and beat the excellently wicked Skeksis (voice of Brian Muehl).

Despite the annoyingly doe-eyed hero and heroine, this delightful movie takes puppets into another dimension. It is basically a young people’s film but it is perhaps too dark for young children.

Bird impersonator Percy Edwards provides the animal noises and the voice of Fizzgig. Joseph O’Conor is the narrator. Other voices are provided by Kathryn Mullen, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Mike Quinn, Jean Pierre Amiel, Kiran Shah, Lisa Maxwell, Billie Whitelaw, Thick Wilson and Stephen Garlick.

David Odell’s screenplay is based on the story by Jim Henson.

It is made by Incorporated Television Company, Jim Henson Productions, Henson Organisation and released by United International Pictures (1982) (UK), Universal Pictures (1982) (US) and Associated Film Distribution (1982) (US).

On a $15,000,000 budget, it grossed $40,577,000 in the US, making it a needed hit for Lew Grade’s ITC.

In May 2019, Netflix announced that a new prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is set to premiere on the streaming service on 30 August 2019. The voice cast includes Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy and Helena Bonham-Carter.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8499

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