Thirty-five years after it first stunned audiences and critics with its unprecedented visions and mythic storytelling, Jim Henson’s 1982 epic fantasy-adventure “The Dark Crystal,” co-directed by Henson and Frank Oz, will return to big screens nationwide in a special presentation from Fathom Events, The Jim Henson Company and Universal Pictures.
Newly restored in 4K “The Dark Crystal” is a visually spectacular tale of a young hero who must find a legendary relic in order restore harmony to the universe. A watershed in fantasy filmmaking produced by Gary Kurtz (“Star Wars, A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back”), “The Dark Crystal” will play in select theaters on Saturday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 6.
The event will feature a brand-new introduction with Lisa Henson, CEO and president of The Jim Henson Company, who will reflect on the making of the one-of-a-kind film and the legacy of her father, Jim.
The ambitious story of “The Dark Crystal” takes place in the world of 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. Now, the Mystics have summoned Jen, one of the last surviving Gelflings, to find the lost piece of the crystal. The quest sends him on an unbelievable adventure that can restore harmony and peace to Thra.
“The Dark Crystal” features performances by Jim Henson as the Gelfling Jen (voice of Stephen Garlick), Kathryn Mullen as the Gelfling Kira (voice of Lisa Maxwell), Frank Oz as the astronomer Aughra (voice of Billie Whitelaw) and Dave Goelz as Fizzgig (voice of Percy Edwards), with Henson, Oz and Goelz also performing as the Skeksis. Kiran Shah also performs the body of Jen, Kira and Aughra. With a screenplay by Dave Odell (“The Muppet Show”), “The Dark Crystal” also features a majestic score by Trevor Jones (“Excalibur,” “Labyrinth”).
“Jim Henson created a truly one-of-a-kind experience with ‘The Dark Crystal,’ one that is rarely seen on the big screen,” said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events vice president of studio relations. “Fathom Events could not be more excited about the privilege of working with The Jim Henson Company and Universal Pictures to give movie lovers the chance to see the visual splendor of ‘The Dark Crystal’ in movie theaters.”
The participating movie theater in our neck of the woods will be AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook at 2 p.m. on March 3 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on March 6. To purchase your ticket in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com
