‘Dark Crystal’ turns 35 and Jim Henson’s groundbreaking film lives on
Riding the success of The Muppet Show, Jim Henson ventured into science fiction and fantasy with The Dark Crystal. Now the 35th Anniversary screenings presented by Fathom Events takes fans back to an epic journey and a triumph in for puppeteers.
Partnering with longtime collaborator Frank Oz, Henson tells the story Jen, an elf-like ‘Gelfling’ on a quest to restore balance to his alien world, Thra, which has been torn asunder by a fracture in a great magic crystal, causing two races to be created: the tranquil Mystics, or urRu, and the evil Skeksis, who all but destroyed Thra’s native species, the Gelflings.
The five year production broke ground on every level, which Brian Froud once said: “We were really working at the forefront, I think, we were pushing what was possible as far as radio controlled puppetry. We used to call them ‘super puppets’ because that’s what they are, really.”
Super puppets they are indeed.
After a brief introduction by Lisa Henson (CEO and President of The Jim Henson Company), the one-of-a-kind film and its creative legacy come to life.
Knowing the background of the various puppeteers makes you appreciate the massive banquet scenes and the complex storytelling that Henson and company pulled off. It’s hard to imagine a film like this would ever be attempted without the use of CGI and modern tech.
The Dark Crystal will live on as a classic and creative triumph.
Three additional screenings are set: Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)
Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. (local time)
Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)
Tickets for “The Dark Crystal” can be purchased beginning Friday, January 12 online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations will be available January 12 on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Following the theatrical presentation, “The Dark Crystal” will debut on 4K Ultra HD™ and return to Blu-ray™ and Digital March 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray will be presented in an all-new collectible Digibook package, complete with rare photos and behind-the-scenes info about the making of this iconic classic.