Jim Henson’s cult classic fantasy ‘The Dark Crystal’ screens in NEPA theaters Feb. 25-28
From a press release:
35 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 two-night presentation from Fathom Events, The Jim Henson Company, and Universal Pictures.
Newly restored in 4K (at select theaters), “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,” “The Empire Strikes Back”), “The Dark Crystal” will play in select U.S. movie theaters on Sunday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. both days.
Each screening will also feature a brand-new featurette 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 its creative legacy.
Tickets for “The Dark Crystal” can be purchased online by visiting fathomevents.com or at participating theater box offices. Local movie theaters showing the film through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network include Cinemark 20 (40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic) and Cinemark Stroud Mall (160 Stroud Mall, Stroudsburg).
Following its two-day-only theatrical presentation, the movie will debut on 4K Ultra HD and return to Blu-ray and digital on Tuesday, March 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray will be presented in an all-new collectible Digibook package, complete with rare photos and behind-the-scenes info about the making of this iconic classic.
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 film features performances by Jim Henson as 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. Additionally, Kiran Shah 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 Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas. “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 Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards, two Academy Awards, and nine Grammy Awards. The company is currently in production on the feature film “The Happytime Murders” starring Melissa McCarthy and the upcoming Netflix original series “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.” Recent credits include “Julie’s Greenroom” (Netflix), “Dot.” (Sprout/Hulu), “Splash and Bubbles” (PBS), “Word Party” (Netflix), “Doozers” (Hulu/ Sprout), and the Emmy-nominated “Sid the Science Kid” (PBS) and “Dinosaur Train” (PBS). Television productions include “Fraggle Rock,” “The Storyteller,” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.” Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” and “MirrorMask.” Projects in development include the highly anticipated film “Fraggle Rock.”
The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, with additional locations in New York and London. The company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities.
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top designated market areas and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events, such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera; dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live; sporting events like Copa America Centenario; concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush, and Mötley Crüe; the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series; and inspirational events.
Fathom Events also takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras, including audience Q&As, backstage footage, and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 897 locations and 1,387 screens in 181 DMAs.
