The version of The Dark Crystal that was released in 1982 was dark and weird, especially for a kids' movie. But there was an earlier version—darker, weirder, and trippier—that didn't make it to theaters. The earlier cut didn't test well with audiences, so the film was substantially changed to appeal to a broad audience. Voiceover was added, and English dialogue was added to many scenes where the action was previously supposed to be understood through puppets' pantomime.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Mon December 16, 2013 7:19 pm
by bada
The Restored Cut is super cool but adding the narration and dialogue was the right move.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Mon December 16, 2013 7:48 pm
by VinylGuy
i saw this one as a kid because i was a huge Jim Henson fan...i was pretty obsessed with The Muppets at the time....and this movie became one of my favorites...i wont forget the experience of seeing this one at the cinema.
Thanks Jim.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Mon December 16, 2013 10:04 pm
by Harry Lime
I haven't heard of this. Feels very Tolkien inspired.
Anyone get their hands on Henson's new bio? For some reason I feel like reading it.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Mon December 16, 2013 10:33 pm
by bada
I would be hesitant to read a bio on him only because I hold him in such high regard. I don't want that bubble burst if it turns out he used to cheat on his wife or beat his kids or some $hit.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Mon December 16, 2013 10:53 pm
by Sgt. Crackpot
VinylGuy wrote:Thanks Jim.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Tue December 17, 2013 1:02 am
by E.H. Ruddock
Harry Lime wrote:I haven't heard of this. Feels very Tolkien inspired.
Anyone get their hands on Henson's new bio? For some reason I feel like reading it.
Very surprised you haven't heard of this, Lime. It's certainly a classic. I have it on DVD if you want me to mail it to you.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Tue December 17, 2013 2:13 am
by BurtReynolds
bada wrote:The Restored Cut is super cool but adding the narration and dialogue was the right move.
From a financial standpoint maybe, it probably would have bombed, but this cut is so much better to me! Much creepier and, well, better. The voiceover in the final cut is brutal. 80s movies and their forced voiceovers...
Harry Lime wrote:I haven't heard of this. Feels very Tolkien inspired.
I like it because it doesn't feel Tolkien inspired. I guess all fantasy movies owe something to Tolkien, but this movie feels different. Not your usual dwarves, orcs, goblins, elves, bla bla bla.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Tue December 17, 2013 1:27 pm
by bada
BurtReynolds wrote:
bada wrote:The Restored Cut is super cool but adding the narration and dialogue was the right move.
From a financial standpoint maybe, it probably would have bombed, but this cut is so much better to me! Much creepier and, well, better. The voiceover in the final cut is brutal. 80s movies and their forced voiceovers...
It's def creepier but I wonder if you would still think it was effective if you hadn't seen the theatrical version and knew exaltly what was going on and what the characters were saying. I'm thinking of a young, confused Bert.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Tue December 17, 2013 4:39 pm
by BurtReynolds
bada wrote:
BurtReynolds wrote:
bada wrote:The Restored Cut is super cool but adding the narration and dialogue was the right move.
From a financial standpoint maybe, it probably would have bombed, but this cut is so much better to me! Much creepier and, well, better. The voiceover in the final cut is brutal. 80s movies and their forced voiceovers...
It's def creepier but I wonder if you would still think it was effective if you hadn't seen the theatrical version and knew exaltly what was going on and what the characters were saying. I'm thinking of a young, confused Bert.
I was young and confused when I first watched it in a theater. and terrified. I thought my aunt took me to watch a horror movie. it stuck with me though.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Tue December 17, 2013 4:47 pm
by E.H. Ruddock
BurtReynolds wrote:
bada wrote:
BurtReynolds wrote:
bada wrote:The Restored Cut is super cool but adding the narration and dialogue was the right move.
From a financial standpoint maybe, it probably would have bombed, but this cut is so much better to me! Much creepier and, well, better. The voiceover in the final cut is brutal. 80s movies and their forced voiceovers...
It's def creepier but I wonder if you would still think it was effective if you hadn't seen the theatrical version and knew exaltly what was going on and what the characters were saying. I'm thinking of a young, confused Bert.
I was young and confused when I first watched it in a theater. and terrified. I thought my aunt took me to watch a horror movie. it stuck with me though.
Yeah I was around 8 years old when this came out and I saw it in the theater. I was terrified but ended up really liking it.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Sat December 16, 2017 6:08 pm
by E.H. Ruddock
4k version coming, and a showing in theaters in February.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Sat December 16, 2017 6:08 pm
by LoathedVermin72
Already pre-ordered the 4K SteelBook
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Sat December 16, 2017 7:40 pm
by E.H. Ruddock
LoathedVermin72 wrote:Already pre-ordered the 4K SteelBook
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Wed February 28, 2018 4:17 pm
by E.H. Ruddock
Seeing this in the theater Saturday
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Wed February 28, 2018 4:46 pm
by bada
I'm glad The Power Of The Dark Crystal never happened. The comic based on the screen play is kinda lame.
Re: Movie: The Dark Crystal
Posted: Wed February 28, 2018 4:58 pm
by Biff Pocoroba
There was just a screening here over the weekend & I knew several people who went & loved it. I didn't it when it came out, it was just within the past few years that I finally saw it. As an adult, and by today's standards, well, let's just say I was not blown away. But I probably would have really enjoyed had I watched as an '80s adolescent.
