Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3381 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-12-06
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish
• Dubbed in: German, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 JRR. 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 recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise The Dark Crystal is a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages. --Sean Axmaker

Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 9
French\German\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Mono French Spanish\Stereo German
Dolby Digital 5.1
Mono
Stereo
Scene Selections
Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Filmographies
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
Character Profiles
English\French\German\Spanish\Dutch

Synopsis
A fantastical, puppet-filled adventure, this tale co-directed by Muppet creator Jim Henson and Frank Oz reveals the story of Jen, a young Gelfling boy chosen by prophecy to mend the Dark Crystal, which broke 1,000 years ago and plunged the land under the dominion of the evil, quarrelsome Skeksis. Fearing the prophecy, whose fulfillment would mean the end of their reign, the Skeksis exterminated the Gelflings--all but Jen and Kira, a girl he meets on his journey to the crystal. Pursued by the Skeksis and their dark creatures, Jen and Kira race to the crystal, even as their time runs out.

Customer Reviews

The Most Alien World I have ever seen outsiide animation.
I Love this film, its story is pure magic, the FX brilliant and the Muppets great. The voice talent is perfect and some scenes such as Augra's home are breath taking. A brilliant film and I for one can't wait for Dark Crystal 2 due next year or the year after that.

Tired story saved by excellent puppetry
The Dark Crystal is done by the same people who made Star Wars and two of my personal favourite films The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppet Movie. The story of The Dark Crystal is a dated one with plot lines that echoe ones previously used in Star Wars, Lord of The Rings and Narnia. The script and dialogue is OK and the characters are one dimensional. However, the Puppetry is wonderfull, the visuals and sets are beautiful and the whole film is charming and beautiful to look at. The ending has a final surprise(which i wont say). My younger brothers liked it and were not scared by it so it is an ideal family film. Watch it and be impressed.

A delightful magic tale for the little kids and the adults too!
This is one of the sweetest and most delightful fantasy movies ever made. It was made mainly for the young public, but I must confess, that although being now in the second half of my life, I still cherish this movie greatly. So - here, instead of a barrel chested half-naked barbarian, the main hero is Jen, a Gelfling, a pixish diminutive being with delicate face, orphaned in his early childhood and raised by a race of benevolent ancient creatures, the Mystics. One day, when Jen is already a young adult, he is told, that he was chosen to accomplish a great mission - he is the one and the only one who can save the world....
Begins an incredibly perilous journey, during which he will meet a fair maiden Gelfling, find a magic item of major importance, face monsters and traitors and ultimately go to the fortress of evil, where dwells hideous Skeksis... who are desperate to catch Jen, but really not to hug him...
Well, this is the same story we all saw already dozens of time - but this one has some unique features. First - all the characters are puppets, marionettes, etc. and still look really great, even in our time of CG special effects. The music is very impressive. The vision of the world is totally unique - nothing familiar for us, Earthlings, it is clear that this story is happening long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... The girl Gelfling is possibly one of the sweetest creatures I ever saw - she is clearly a fairy princess (and she will prove it at a moment in the movie). Jen is a very kind and quite hero, but definitely not a whimp - and his noble attitude will impress the most hardened hearts... In one word, this movie is a monument of cinema! See it with your kid, with your date or with your dog and a beer - but see it you must!