The Dark Crystal



The Dark Crystal is the first cinematic animated feature directed by Don Bluth.

The Plot
"Another World, Another Time... In the Age of Wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good, until the Crystal cracked. For a single piece was lost; a shard of the Crystal. Then strife began, and two new races appeared: the cruel Skeksis... the gentle Mystics."

1,000 years ago the crystal cracked, and the spirits of the UrSkek were divided into the peaceful Mystics and the evil Skeksis. A prophecy was written that stated if a Gelfling healed the crystal, the world would be renewed and the UrSkek would be reunited. Due to the prophecy, the Skeksis hunted down and killed all the Gelflings.

The last Gelfling left on Thra, a male named Jen, was saved and raised by the Mystics. Jen is sent by his dying master on a journey to heal the Dark Crystal. If Jen succeeds, the world will be saved; but if Jen fails, the Skeksis will rule the land forever. On his quest to The Castle of the Crystal, Jen meets Kira, another Gelfling. The two must battle the evil Skeksis and save Thra.

Cast
Voices
 * Stephen Garlick as Jen
 * Lisa Maxwell as Kira
 * Billie Whitelaw as Aughra
 * Percy Edwards as Fizzgig
 * Barry Dennen as Chamberlain/Podlings
 * Michael Kilgarriff as General
 * Jerry Nelson as High Priest and Dying Emperor
 * Steve Whitmire as Scientist
 * Thick Wilson as Gourmand
 * Brian Muehl as Ornamentalist, Dying Mystic Master
 * David Buck as Slavemaster
 * Charles Collingwood as Treasurer
 * John Baddeley as Scroll Keeper
 * Sean Barrett as urZah
 * Miki Iveria, Patrick Monckton, Sue Westerby as Podlings
 * Joseph O'Conor as urSkeks and Narrator

Trivia

 * The names of many characters, races and places not mentioned in the film do appear in the novelization, and have since become canon.
 * The film is re-released in theaters at March 3 & 6, by Fathom Events.