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I’m probably
the wrong person to tell you about the new
DVD release of “The Dark Crystal.”
I’d like to tell you that my review
will be objective, but I would be lying.
You see, if I ever had a hero growing up,
it was Jim Henson. The man was more than
just a puppeteer or a storyteller…
he was a true visionary. He was world famous
for his creation of the Muppets, but he
also was father to some wonderfully inventive
fantasy films. There are those who dismiss
“The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth”
as no more than children’s fluff.
But for every one detractor, there are thousands
of fans intelligent enough to recognize
the wonder of these films.
As with most good stories, “The Dark
Crystal” is a tale of good and evil.
Based on the work of Brian Froud, it centers
on Jen and Kira, the last remaining Gelfings.
They must return a shard of the Dark Crystal
to its rightful place in order to keep the
world from being ruled by the evil Skeksis.
It is a dark tale, perhaps a little too
dark for younger children, but its perfect
for older kids and imaginative adults.
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There are already a few DVD releases available,
but this one is for the true fan. It includes
many terrific extra features, a few of which are
not available anywhere else. The first one that
I got really excited about was “The World
of The Dark Crystal”, which was a documentary
that was made back when the film first came out
in 1982. I remember watching it on television
at the time, and fortunately having the wherewithal
to record it. Unfortunately that tape has long
been lost and I am thrilled now to have it again
on the DVD.
The documentary runs about an hour and covers
in great detail everything about the making of
the film. There is lots of interview footage with
Henson and partner Frank Oz, as well as Brian
Froud. Plus there is a ton of behind the scenes
footage that shows how the complicated sets and
costumes were created. We get to see how the actors
learned to move within the full and over–sized
costumes. Every little move had to be practiced,
even the most simple. Making this film was an
enormous challenge and this documentary showcases
every aspect.
There are also some deleted and early work print
scenes, storyboards and photo galleries that are
a must see for Henson fans. One of the features
new to this set is “The Mithra Treatment”,
which is a read-only version of the original treatment
Henson came up with. It is rich with details of
the world of “The Dark Crystal”, though
it is obvious many things changed before the film
became a reality.
Sony / Columbia Tristar’s DVD release also
offers up a few nice extras that are not on the
DVD. The case itself is designed to look like
a book, and it opens as such. The cover is quite
handsome and includes a screen print illustration.
When you open it up, it has much more than just
the DVD. There is also a forward written by Henson’s
daughter Cheryl that is printed on an opaque sheet,
and a senitype (which is an art graphic that holds
a frame of 35-millimeter film from the movie.
But the piece de résistance is the inclusion
of a replicated version of one of Henson’s
original notepads. It’s been reduced to
fit into the DVD box, but it is still fascinating
to read through.
The new “The Dark Crystal” DVD may
not appeal to everyone, but for those imaginative
souls I mentioned before it is absolutely a must
own DVD.
Directed by: Jim Henson and Frank Oz
Extras: “The Mithra Treament” Jim
Henson’s Original Treatment of the film,
Character Illustrations, Storyboards, The World
of “The Dark Crystal”, Original Language
Work Print Scenes, Deleted Funeral Scenes, Character
Drawings and Profiles, Theatrical Trailers
Specifications: Widescreen (2.35:1), Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Sound
Non-DVD Extras: Replication of Jim Henson’s
Actual Notepad, Collectible Senitype, A Special
Forward from Cheryl Henson
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 11/25/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website
We'll give Dark Crystal an A.
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