The Dark Crystal

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

Customer Reviews:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane.......2007-09-08

The Dark Crystal is one of the movies I first saw when I was a kid. The movie has lost little of its charm over the years. I bought this version because I couldn't find the 25th anniversary version locally and didn't want to wait on shipping. The box said it had been 'mastered in HD' so I figured that meant it would look good on my 1080p HDTV. Well, I was wrong.

The quality of the picture in this version is terrible. It looks like they used a beat up rental VHS tape to make this DVD. Random pinpoint flashes of white marr just about every scene. There are also blemishes in the form of dirt specks and floating black hairs. For a short time near the end there are even faded thin bars that slide across the screen. The credits are even slightly blurry. I had to keep reminding myself that at least this was the first time I've seen the movie in widescreen format.

I had previously bought season 1 of the Muppet Show and it looks WONDERFUL on the same TV. So bright and vibrant, with a clear picture. Never in my wildest dreams would I have figured that a TV show from the 70s would look better on an HDTV than a movie that was 'mastered in HD'.

Don't waste your $10 like I did... Get the 25th anniversary verison instead. I'm not sure if the picture looks any better, but it sure can't look much worse.

Good.......2007-08-25

I liked this movie; good family movie that the whole family can watch. If you like "muppets",you'll like this one.

Oldies.......2007-06-27

This movie I bought because I had never seen it. If you don't mind squaking bird sounds and nails on a chalkboard- than go for it. I had a headache half way through. This movie has more noise than dialogue.

The Dark Crystal.......2007-06-15

There are 10 Skekses left in the world. This cruel, violent species's emporer is dying. There are 10 Mystics left in the world. The wisest Mysitc is dying. When the Mystic leader (the dying one) was younger he rescued a Gelfling from a Skekses raid (there were more of each species back then) and dubbed him Jem. The Mystics taught him everything - except the prophecy (IF YOU TRY TO STOP A PROPHECY IN A MOVIE YOU WILL FAIL, PERIOD.) The prophecy said that if a Gelfling does not repair the Crystal, located in the Crystal Castle, before the 3 suns lined up the world will be plunged into a time of evil forever. Skekses send bug-monsters to catch and kill Jem. Jem goes to the ugly witch Olgra to get the shard which came off. As he turns to leave, the bug-monster things attack Olgra's dome-house. Then they carry off Olgra, but she turns out not to be a Gelfling, let alone Jem. Jem is running for dear life. Then this puffball dog thing growls at him. A girl Gelfling comes out and says something to the puffball, who shuts up. It turns out that the Pod People had saved HER from the SAME raid. Love love lovie dovie. Jem goes to the Pod People with Kira, but then the bugs attack again, and carry off the Pod People, who also turn out not to be Gelflings. Then the bugs actually almost get them, but Kira grabs Jem and flies down a handy cliff. Jem says that he doen't have wings, but Kira replies that, of course not, he's a BOY! Then a Skekse gets banished, and says NOT to repair the Crystal, because they didn't need to, no, they could just live out here forever. Jem thwacks him, and Skekse gets cut.

Although the characters are Muppets, there are no real jokes. Plenty of adventure. So good, my critical-of-every-detail dad watched it twice a day for who knows how long. Also, in 2008, a sequel called the Power of the Dark Crystal will come out, but with (ugh) ANAMATRONIC PUPPETS. I will watch both, personally.

Mom loves this movie!.......2007-05-18

This is a pretty good movie, it was better to me when I was little though :) Since technology has come so far along now. I couldn't get over the price though, it was $6.99 so I couldn't resist adding it to my collection.

An all time favorite!

The Dark Crystal (25th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

A Live-action Puppeteering Masterpiece!
As much as I wanted to love it...
Remastered and with extra features

The Dark Crystal (25th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: John Baddeley , Robbie Barnett , Sean Barrett , Charles Collingwood , and Barry Dennen
Director: Jim Henson
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000R8YC1I
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Product Description

Enjoy incredible footage from the Henson archives in this 2-disc 25th Anniversary Edition of The Dark Crystal. Travel back in time to the faraway planet of Thra. Cheer on the Mystics as they fight to overthrow the evil Skeksis and take back control of their planet! When Jen, a member of the Gelfling tribe, sets out to find the crystal's missing shard, his dangerous journey brings him face to face with monsters at every turn. Determined to restore peace to their planet, Jen will not back down! From the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this masterpiece of animation recounts the timeless tale of good vs. evil and has become a cult favorite of children and grown-ups alike!

Customer Reviews:

A Live-action Puppeteering Masterpiece!.......2007-07-30

Organic over CGI any day! There is an intimate feeling in this fantasy film that is all too often lost in the sterility of computer animation these days. Even with texture rendering abilities breaking new ground everyday, in my opinion there's still nothing comparable to the soft magic which Jim Henson has created here. A team of creative wizards, free from the bonds of a cubicle, are literally submerged into the world of their creation. The Dark Crystal changed my understanding of puppetry forever....Previously associated with the more simplistic creations viewed on television shows like Sesame Street & The Muppets, their full potential is revealed here! Some how, the more bazaar and unusual the characters become, the more real they seem to be.
Enjoy this film; it may be one of a kind!
This 25 year Anniversary Edition should be something Special! Damn...was it really that long ago?

As much as I wanted to love it..........2007-07-07

This certainly is a one-of-a-kind movie, and its unusual production actually works in its favour, adding another layer of melancholic remoteness.
It certainly stands as a singular achievement of its time, and also as a milestone in the development of film puppetry in general.
On the strong side are also some great moments in collaboration with the soundtrack and the unusual sense of reality that comes with the intricate puppet technology.
The movie's biggest problem on the other hand is that so much creativity seems to have been invested into making things look ugly. Not only are the Skeksis a bunch so awful to watch that they could give normally sensitive viewers a cramp in the stomach, it is also the action itself (how they crumble to dust, drain sweet innocent beings from the soul and drinking the juice, feast in the most awful possible way) that are hard to bear, could give children nightmares and leave you with a strange feeling in your belly.
That being said, the movie certainly has a pretty unique look to it, and it makes some fun to figure out how they might have shot each of the scenes (how it may have actually looked like on the set).

As much as I love this kind of speciality movie from the early 80ies (another gem from this period is TRON, for example) I would not want to watch "The Dark Chrystal" again any time soon - once was enough.
I might want to maybe steel from the soundtrack though (e.g. the boating scene with the two Gelflings)

Remastered and with extra features.......2007-07-02

This movie is Jim Henson's magnum opus. There isn't a fantasy movie out there that brings you to a whole different reality like The Dark Crystal does. Yes the movie is all performed entirely by puppets and yes there isn't a human being in site. That's the beauty of it. With a combination of an excellent story, innovative (for its time) animatronics, beautiful sets and cinematography you get a truly dazzling experience that any fantasy fan would be a fool not to miss.

The biggest aspect of Dark Crystal is the setting. They created a whole different world with its own animals, plants and terrain. The level of detail put into creating this new world is staggering and you get some good scenes to soak yourself up in it. From the rock caves of the Mystics to the jagged spires of the Skesis castle to Aughra's planetarium to every landscape in between. You will get drawn into this alien world. The beauty of the sets and location shots is only enhanced with some fantastic cinematography and conventional effects.

Since we are essentially talking about a puppet show brought to you as a feature film let's talk about the puppets. Granted they might seem a bit archaic by today's standards, they were nothing short of incredible back in 1982. To have puppets act and react in such an organic and lifelike fashion was never done on film before. This is the first movie where you get that sort of eye and mouth movements we have come so used to with current animatronics. Famed artist Brian Froud created all of the creatures and characters for Dark Crystal and if you're a fan of his work you will definitely see it. When you look at the majesty of the Mystics you forget they are just people covered in foam latex.

Of course having a truly creative setting and truly creative characters would not be enough to make a great movie. Lord knows fantasy fans have seen plenty of examples that prove that point. However this movie has a story that is as classic as any fable you have read before. By the time you finish this movie if will feel like you just read a grand fairy tale... only about wondrous and fantastic creatures never seen before. It's not deep storytelling. Then again it shouldn't be considering the mythical theme.

The original release of this DVD had a host of wonderful extras that made it the only DVD you would ever need... UNTIL NOW! This DVD has everything that made the original release great plus a good deal more. Here's what you get:

REFLECTIONS OF THE DARK CRYSTAL - Two-part featurette (Shard of Illusion [16 minutes] and Light on the Path of Creation [20 minutes]) with more recent interviews from writers, directors, and performers including co-writer David O'Dell, conceptual designer Brian Froud, and Jim Henson's son Brian. These featurettes also include newly discovered test footage from Jim Henson's home in England.

WORLD OF THE DARK CRYSTAL - The most amazing "making of" documentary one can ever ask for. It details over an hour of footage regarding conceptual design, character creation, production, cinematography, the philosophy behind the creation of this movie and the world it is based on, and more. This documentary was made while the Dark Crystal was released so you get interviews with the man himself, Jim Henson at the time of the movie along with scores of others involved in the movie. Most "making of" documentaries that come out with movies these days are little more than lip service to help promote the movie. I wish they would follow the model done on THIS documentary.

WORK PRINT SCENES - The original concept of The Dark Crystal was to have many of the creatures speak their own language, which we would get subtitles for, in order to further put in that different world. I think that would have been a cool way to see the movie and with this footage you get an idea of Jim Henson's original concept. Keep in mind this is not fully produced footage and it's not the same as seeing the end product. Namely the character Augra is being dubbed with Frank Oz's Miss Piggy-esque voice over and of course there is no music or post-production. Still it's interesting to get a taste of what the movie could have been like.

Top all of that off with a newly remastered high definition print, dolby digital sound and an audio commentary by Brian Froud and you have the new winner on which is the definitive Dark Crystal DVD. The only thing I can't confirm is whether or not this DVD includes the deleted scene that the first DVD had. If not no big deal. It's a Skeksis funeral scene and there is good reason why it was taken out of the movie.

I will admit that some people might be put off of this movie due to the lack of human actors in front of you and the fact the puppet animatronics might feel dated. It's a shame people would feel that way because The Dark Crystal is fantasy storytelling at its finest. If you are a fan of the genre this movie is an absolute must. If you're a Muppet fan... well these aren't Muppets so don't expect Fraggle Rock when you see it. Any fan of grand storytelling who wants to be whisked away to a strange faraway land will find what they are looking for in The Dark Crystal. Do yourself a favor and check this movie out.

Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection - (Labyrinth / MirrorMask / The Dark Crystal)

Average customer rating:

Two Good, One Not
Jim Henson's Film Collection Family Hit
Jim Henson's Magic.
Wonderful Fantasy Films
A Masterpiece Collection

Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection - (Labyrinth / MirrorMask / The Dark Crystal)
Starring: Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GFRI5E
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Customer Reviews:

Two Good, One Not.......2007-07-07

A nice boxed set including The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Mirrormask. These are simply the original releases in a slip case as opposed to being repackaged in a slimmer collection case.

The Dark Crystal takes us to a fabulous world where good and evil will make their final stand when a shard from the Dark Crystal is returned and the Crystal is healed. A wonderful film but underappreciated.

Labyrinth shows us another fascinating world ruled by the Goblin King (David Bowie). A girl wishers her baby brother to be taken by the Goblin King. When it really happens she must travel to his world and rescue her brother. With its ties to our world, this musical is probably Jim Henson's best.

Mirrormask has another girl trapped in a strange world that is being destroyed by her twin. The weakest of the three films and really not worth watching. Really lacks the richness of story found in the other two films.

A nice way to get two wonderful films by Jim Henson. But is you watch them together you will see how Mirrormask really misses the mark as far as story goes. Still, it is a good deal for the other two films so check it out.

Jim Henson's Film Collection Family Hit.......2007-05-14

If this sounds childish or reads juvenile please forgive the wounded one hand typist. LOL!!!

This film collection is wonderful!! My grown children adore it because it brings back happy memories of their childhood and my only grandchild is mesmerized by "The Dark Crystal", as are all of my neices and nephews. The Labyrinth is my grown girls choice and I love them all.They actually get up to sing and dance with the music and songs that to this day they know every word to.
Thank you for bringing joyous memories and delightful entertainment to my family,Through the eyes of the master puppeteer.

Mrs. Cheryl D. Fowler

Jim Henson's Magic........2007-05-12

To gather a large proportion of Jim Henson's work together is really wonderful. Somehow he and his team managed to provide a depth to all he did which makes his work long lasting. This is very apparent in the mysterious "MirrorMask" which is extremely challenging."Labyrinth" has always been a family favourite with us and it too has a depth of concept which is very powerful.Images such as the Junk Woman and the Man with the bird growing on his head are creative and strange."The Dark Crystal" is an early work and has certain crudities which are not apparent in the later films. However the inventive images of Brian Froud are wonderful and add much to the film.

Wonderful Fantasy Films.......2007-01-18

Great films that do justice to the legacy of the Jim Henson Company.

A Masterpiece Collection.......2006-09-17

Everyone of us has a favorite muppet, that is how well Jim Henson stood out as one of the most creative minds for family programing and now his legacy is remembered in a box set of the three non muppet films. These movies are nothing but pure grandure of fantasy used to stimulate the mind and senses. The stories are origional family friendly and a pleasure to watch over and over again. Jim Henson worked with other creative minds of the time such as Rick Callum, Frank Oz and of course one of Jim Hensons' equils George Lucas. No wonder these movies are so good.

The Dark Crystal, the first of these films is Lord Of The Rings with muppets. Its the story of a dying world and two races of creatures created by the breaking of the keeper of the world, the Dark Crystal. Now it is up to Jen, the last of his race to unite the crystal before the three suns of the planet align. Dark Crystal is an eye popping marvel. It doesn't move too quickly but that is how Jim Hensons' work is most of the time. But just watching the fact that there is not a single human in this movie and that its all done through the magic of puppetry and voice acting keeps you in your seat itching to see what happens next.

Labyrinth, probably the fan favorite of the three is the most entertaining in my eyes. Picture a twisted Wizard of Oz, with goblins. It's the story of a young, but still hot Jennifer Connely as she wishes her baby brother is taken away by the infamous Gobin King (That is David Bowie and yes he is singing!)Now she muse get to the caslte through a puzzeling maze filled with creatures you have never seen anywhere else before her brother becomes a goblin. This movie is great its a must see.

The last one was made long after Jim Henson left us, but the story of Mirrormask stays true to the legacy of Jim Henson storytelling. Filled with stimulating images, crazy creatures and a important moral to lesson to learn.

This collection goes right up there with the great movie trilogies of the past 35 years. It is worth every penny and there is no doubt in my mind you will want to watch them as much as you can.

The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)

Average customer rating:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane
Good
Oldies
The Dark Crystal
Mom loves this movie!

The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)
Starring: Jean-Pierre Amiel , Robbie Barnett , Peter Burroughs , Malcolm Dixon , and Mike Edmonds
Director: Jim Henson , and Frank Oz
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000DBJ2B
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane.......2007-09-08

Good.......2007-08-25

I liked this movie; good family movie that the whole family can watch. If you like "muppets",you'll like this one.

Oldies.......2007-06-27

The Dark Crystal.......2007-06-15

Mom loves this movie!.......2007-05-18

Average customer rating:

Two Great Fantasies From the Heyday of Fantasy Filmmaking!
Great film - teens and adults in our house loved it.
Special Features are a welcomed bonus
jim henson is a genious!
great movies

Labyrinth/The Dark Crystal
Starring: Jean-Pierre Amiel , Robbie Barnett , Peter Burroughs , Malcolm Dixon , and Mike Edmonds
Director: Jim Henson , and Frank Oz
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004Y7ET
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Amazon.com

The Dark Crystal
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

Labyrinth
Sarah (a teenage Jennifer Connelly) rehearses the role of a fairy-tale queen, performing for her stuffed animals. She is about to discover that the time has come to leave her childhood behind. In real life she has to baby-sit her brother and contend with parents who don't understand her at all. Her petulance leads her to call the goblins to take the baby away, but when they actually do, she realizes her responsibility to rescue him. Sarah negotiates the Labyrinth to reach the City of the Goblins and the castle of their king. The king is the only other human in the film and is played by a glam-rocking David Bowie, who performs five of his songs. The rest of the cast are puppets, a wonderful array of Jim Henson's imaginative masterpieces. Henson gives credit to children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, and the creatures in the movie will remind Sendak fans of his drawings. The castle of the king is a living M.C. Escher set that adults will enjoy. The film combines the highest standards of art, costume, and set decoration. Like executive producer George Lucas's other fantasies, Labyrinth mixes adventure with lessons about growing up. --Lloyd Chesley

Customer Reviews:

Two Great Fantasies From the Heyday of Fantasy Filmmaking!.......2005-03-10

Begin With "The Dark Crystal": Another Time, Another World...

From the age of wonder comes a tale so bizarre, so mystical, so magical, it has to be seen to be believed! A world that once thrived is now nearly a wasteland, ruled over by cruel, half bird/half lizard creatures called the Skeksis. The planet's more humble creatures flee from their presence. Their evil is countered only by a race of good and kind wizards called the Mystics, but it is the Skeksis who maintain power over the Dark Crystal. The only hope for returning balance to their world is in that of a small gelfling boy named Jen, who, with the help of his new friends, Kira and Fizzgig, and the guidance of a wise old woman named Aughra, must reunite the Dark Crystal with its missing shard and heal an ancient species.

An adventure that could only have come from the mind of Jim Henson, "The Dark Crystal" is a masterpiece in every sense. Bringing to vivid life the fantastical and grotesque illustrations of Brian Froud, and clearly influenced by "The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Lord of the Rings," Jim Henson and Co-Director Frank Oz have invented a world all their own. Every creature and character that appears onscreen is a figment of the imagination, and each one is as real as you or I. The visual effects and scenery are a feast for the eyes, but the simple and engaging story is equally captivating. In the Gelflings, the filmmakers manage to capture the very embodiment of pure innocence and goodness, and in the Skeksis, the very essence of evil. The Special Edition DVD release has more than enough extras to satisfy, the most overwhelming of which is the hour long making-of documentary, "The World of the Dark Crystal." Other features include deleted and work-print scenes, trailers, character art profiles, talent files, and an isolated music score. Well worth the purchase for anyone looking to own the quintessential 80's fantasy film. And, while I don't think her much to look at, Kira's voice is heavenly.

Then, Get Lost In the Labyrinth...

Sarah is a beautiful but delusional teenage girl living with her overbearing parents and incessantly crying baby brother. She immerses herself in a world of fairytale fantasy to forget her day-to-day strife, and rehearses lines from books in the hope of one day becoming a great actress like her real mother. But on one particularly stormy night, Sarah is left alone to tend to her baby brother yet again, and the assignment is more than she can bear. She finally makes a hasty wish for the infant to be taken away by goblins, to trouble her no more! --- Her wish is granted. --- Sarah suddenly finds herself alone in a fairy kingdom on a magical quest to save her brother, journeying beyond the gates of the goblin city and to the castle of the very Goblin King himself, but to get there she first must solve the Labyrinth!

From fantasy masters Jim Henson and George Lucas comes a film that delighted a generation! Labyrinth is a magical fantasy that combines the Wizard of Oz, Alice In Wonderland, and the Return of the Jedi, with an 80's twist in the form of David Bowie's one of a kind musical style. The film follows Sarah's transformation from bratty teenage girl to sympathetic and endearing heroine, as she makes her way through all the traps and twists the Goblin King sets before her, picking up new friends as she goes, from the ugly but good-hearted dwarf, Hoggle, and an enormous, hairy simpleton called Ludo, to brave Sir Didymus the fox and his noble steed, Ambrosius the dog. Almost the entire cast is direct from Jim Henson's creature shop, featuring an assortment of weirdies and baddies the likes of which you've hopefully never seen. And there's more magic still, thanks to the sorcery of Jareth, the Goblin King, portrayed beautifully by the hypnotic personage of David Bowie. Jennifer Connelly holds her own as Sarah though, looking more beautiful than I have ever seen her, and far too hot to be the staying at home and reading Tolkien on a Friday-night type, but we'll let that slide in lieu of the gorgeous eye-candy. If Henson and Lucas were aiming for a timeless classic here, ala "The Wizard of Oz," they may have missed the mark, as the music of the film dates it as unmistakably 80's. Nevertheless, it is without a doubt a masterpiece of filmmaking in true Jim Henson style, a great trip for the 80's fantasy enthusiast, and an excellent piece of fantasy entertainment for anyone who is a fan of the genre. More than a few elements from the world of Harry Potter were clearly inspired by this film, just as it was inspired by the classic fantasies that came before it. "Labyrinth" is a true work of art, and a true milestone of fantasy entertainment!

The DVD is in widescreen, featuring a fullscreen theatrical trailer, and a long and informative behind the scenes featurette that includes interviews with the performers and creators, not to mention more lovely footage of Jennifer Connelly. Cast and Crew "Talent Files" are also included. Don't hesitate to add "Labyrinth" to your collection today!

Great film - teens and adults in our house loved it........2003-01-11

The creatures truly come to life, and as you sink into it, the fantasy becomes richer and richer. Very memorable characters. Love the muppets, but in this film Hensen's mastery of the larger figures is amazing. It's one you'll want to watch more than once. Don't be surprised if you find yourself comparing acquaintances and family members to the characters.

Special Features are a welcomed bonus.......2002-05-07

Simply put: Both are a must for any Jim Henson fan. I personally never really liked Dark Crystal but Labyrinth is a Henson classic. Both include items such as an hour long documentary on the making of Labyrinth and some deleted scenes from Dark Crystal. A great bonus to any DVD collection!

jim henson is a genious!.......2002-03-06

what stands out in my mind is the day i found out that jim henson died. I remember asking my mom why my sister was crying and she said "Because Jim Henson died." she absolutly loved his work. i, too, am a big fan. i love jim henson and wish he was still alive to create these brilliant movies and fascinating characters.
labyrinth is my all time favorite movie. i watch it at least once a day. it revolves around sarah, a girl who wishes the goblin king to take her baby brother away. he does and the movie focuses on her quest to get him back and the people/things she meets along the way. david bowie is excellent in this movie. the songs are great and i couldn't imagine anyone else being the goblin king. i don't think he's ever been so sexy. the sets are amazing and the creatures are just beautiful. they all have seperate personalities and if you left out just one, the movie would not have been the same. my favorite is ludo but i've always been a fan of big animals.
the dark crystal is completely different in almost every way. there are no humans at all, it's all puppets. the story revolves around the skeksis and they mystics who once were the same but became seperated (like the good part of a person and the bad part) when the crystal broke and a shard was lost. the skeksis worship the crystal becuz it gives them power. the story surrounds jen, a gelfling, who is the last of his kind. he is charged with finding the lost shard and replacing it in the stone to reunite the two halves and bring life back into the dead land. along his journey he meets kira (another gelfling), fezgig (her dog, sort of), the podpeople (who've taken care of kira since all the other gelflings were killed), augrah (the keeper of the shard and other knowledge), and many monsters who are minions of the skeksis.
both these films are awesome. the movement is wonderful, the dialogue is witty and the visuals are stunning. jim hensons team of set designers and creative developers are the best around and these movies will make you wish there were more like them.
as a side note, i'd like to point out that labyrinth was filmed at elstree studios, the same place as part of the rocky horror picture show which is also a favorite of mine.
buy this movie and enjoy it with everyone you know.

great movies.......2002-01-11

I recommend getting both of these movies, or at least renting them! The first time I watched The Dark Crystal was when I was a little baby:)..I went to see this movie when it first came out in movie theaters, I think I was 3 or 4? Anyways, I watched it again when I was older..but my dad always liked to tell me when I first watched this movie, I sat on his lap and everytime the evil lizard-like birds came on or those big beetles came on the screen I would take his hand and cover my eyes.lol (of course, I don't remember much..but I do remember being scared of those two characters!) But it has always been one of my favorite movies! It's a great fantasy movie. (The Last Unicorn was also one of my favorites, which I also recommend!) So, if you have younger kids...be warned, it IS scary for the younger kids! But it is still a movie that I recommend watching!
The Labyrinth is also a pretty good movie too. It's about a girl that has to save her baby brother from the goblins and the goblin king so she goes to this really cool world to save him, meeting really strange and weird characters along the way too..I can't really explain why I loved those movies as a kid, i just did!..everything seems so interesting and the whole world is different and exciting..especially when you have talking animals of course:)

Average customer rating:

Quality is good. movie is great

The Dark Crystal (UMD Mini For PSP)
Starring: John Baddeley , Robbie Barnett , Sean Barrett , Charles Collingwood , and Barry Dennen
Director: Jim Henson
Manufacturer: Columbia TriStar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: UMD for PSP

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THE DARK CRYSTAL is a masterful live-action fantasy starring some of Jim Henson's most imaginative creatures ever! Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz and produced by Gary Kurtz (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back), THE DARK CRYSTAL brilliantly weaves a timeless myth of Good and Evil! In another time, THE DARK CRYSTAL- a source of Balance and Truth in the Universe- was shattered, dividing the

ASIN: B0009P42UK
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Product Description

Dark Crystal PSP UMD Movie MODEL- 11908 VENDOR- UMD MOVIE FEATURES- Dark Crystal PSP Movie Geflings attempt to save the world from evil in this elaborate fantasy from directors Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Jim Henson ventures into Tolkien territory in his all-Muppet fantasy feature The Dark Crystal. The titular Crystal maintains equilibrium in a mythical kingdom. When the Crystal is broken, the evil Skeksis take over, killing off the good-guy Gelflings and enslaving everyone else. Two of the Gelflings have survived: Jen was raised by the all-knowing Mystics, while Kira grew up amongst the swamp-dwelling Podlings. Jen and Kira join forces to "heal" the precious Dark Crystal and restore order to their world. Adults may find the whole affair a little precious, while children may be disturbed by the films mortality rate. -- SPECIFICATIONs ----------------------------------- MPAA Rating : PG Genre : Childrens Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure Theatrical Date : 1982 Run Time : 92 minutes Distributor/Studio: Sony Pictures sonystyle.com

Customer Reviews:

Quality is good. movie is great.......2005-11-02

As a long time fan of the movie, seeing it on the PSP was jsut as good. There are no special features, but let's face it, you've probably already bought the DVD anyway. The sound was incredible, and I've heard things I never heard before. Worth the money, and I think Henson is making a sequel soon!

Average customer rating:

The Passion Of Fashion
Starring: Erika Jordan , Lux Kassidy , Crystal Klein , Sabrina Rose , and Anita Dark
Director: Robbie Conley and Jon White
Manufacturer: Peach DVD
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000N3AVVW
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Average customer rating:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane
Good
Oldies
The Dark Crystal
Mom loves this movie!

The Dark Crystal (Superbit Collection)
Starring: Jean-Pierre Amiel , Robbie Barnett , Peter Burroughs , Malcolm Dixon , and Mike Edmonds
Director: Jim Henson , Frank Oz , and Kurtz, Gary
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000844MR
Release Date: 2003-03-04

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Description

The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format.

Customer Reviews:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane.......2007-09-08

Good.......2007-08-25

I liked this movie; good family movie that the whole family can watch. If you like "muppets",you'll like this one.

Oldies.......2007-06-27

The Dark Crystal.......2007-06-15

Mom loves this movie!.......2007-05-18

Average customer rating:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane
Good
Oldies
The Dark Crystal
Mom loves this movie!

The Dark Crystal [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004D0EG

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Like watching a movie with your head wrapped in dirty cellophane.......2007-09-08

Good.......2007-08-25

I liked this movie; good family movie that the whole family can watch. If you like "muppets",you'll like this one.

Oldies.......2007-06-27

The Dark Crystal.......2007-06-15

Mom loves this movie!.......2007-05-18

Average customer rating:

The Dark Crystal [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001GNJJC

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