Muppet creators Henson and Oz made their first non-Muppet movie here, a dark fantasy epic that should appeal to fans of The Lord of the Rings. Scary (and they really are) flying creatures the Skeksis rule the land. But there has been a prophecy that a small creature, a Gelfling, could end their rule, so the Skeksis have killed them all. Or so they think. A young Gelfling orphan, raised in secret by mystics, embarks on a quest to find part of the crystal that gives the Skeksis their power so order can be restored to the universe.
Stunning to look at, this is one of the most impressive uses of puppetry on film, and deserved to be a bigger hit than it was when it was released in 1982. There were, perhaps, two reasons it wasn’t a success – it was released the same year as the phenomenally successful ET, and also there are violent and disturbing moments that make the film inappropriate for smaller children. Nonetheless, for older viewers who like sorcery and fantasy lands, this is definitely worth a look.
Is The Dark Crystal suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
As stated above, this is not for small children – the Skesis are very creepy.
Also, the main characters are often in danger and in tense situations.
If you like this, why not try: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Labyrinth, Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’Hoole, Willow,