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The Dark Crystal The Ultimate Visual History
Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the definitive collection of rare artwork, interviews, and on-set photos from the beloved Jim Henson fantasy classic.
A true masterpiece brought to life by the ingenious puppetry and peerless storytelling of Jim Henson, Dark Crystal is revered by an entire generation of fans. For the first time, this deluxe and highly comprehensive book tells the complete story of this deeply personal Henson project, highlighting the unique creative journey and groundbreaking techniques that brought the film to the screen. Drawing from unseen archive interviews with Jim Henson and new interviews with the film’s behind-the-scenes creative team, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no stone unturned in chronicling the entire production, from the initial concept based on themes close to Henson’s heart to the ingenious conceptual design, puppet construction, and logistics of the shoot itself. The book also delves into the wider world of Dark Crystal, exploring the creation of comics, novels, and other official projects inspired by the film.
This deluxe coffee-table book contains an in-depth look at the day-to-day production of the film and showcases a huge range of incredible visuals, including candid set photography, previously unseen concept art, storyboards, production notes, and more. The book also features a plethora of amazing removable items, such as script pages, notes and sketches from Henson, and other unique treasures. Definitive, enthralling, and revelatory, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on an enduring modern classic and the book that fans of the film have been waiting for.
A true masterpiece brought to life by the ingenious puppetry and peerless storytelling of Jim Henson, Dark Crystal is revered by an entire generation of fans. For the first time, this deluxe and highly comprehensive book tells the complete story of this deeply personal Henson project, highlighting the unique creative journey and groundbreaking techniques that brought the film to the screen. Drawing from unseen archive interviews with Jim Henson and new interviews with the film’s behind-the-scenes creative team, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no stone unturned in chronicling the entire production, from the initial concept based on themes close to Henson’s heart to the ingenious conceptual design, puppet construction, and logistics of the shoot itself. The book also delves into the wider world of Dark Crystal, exploring the creation of comics, novels, and other official projects inspired by the film.
This deluxe coffee-table book contains an in-depth look at the day-to-day production of the film and showcases a huge range of incredible visuals, including candid set photography, previously unseen concept art, storyboards, production notes, and more. The book also features a plethora of amazing removable items, such as script pages, notes and sketches from Henson, and other unique treasures. Definitive, enthralling, and revelatory, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on an enduring modern classic and the book that fans of the film have been waiting for.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2017
12 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 7, 2017
Now this film means a lot to me- from the fact that it's imagery unsettled me (remember this was early 80s where it was either very poor CGI or limited effects) to the fascination of how they made so many creatures so realistic (I was 11) where no apparent human was present. This was a truly fantastic piece of work which I think really demonstrated how creative Jim Henson was.
So when I saw a book was coming out charting the history of this film, celebrating its creation and giving unseen access to the behind the scenes I knew I had to add it to my collection.
This is an amazing book (if you like the film) filled with photos and art work from the film. All I can say is the hand of Brian Froud is most certainly front and centre with many pages of his designs for the film reproduced in all their glory.
One of the things I love about the books is a lot of the photos on set are black and white - it gives the whole thing a more personal feel, there is a level of intimacy the photographer had while the film was being developed and made that I think really draws you in.
This is a fantastic celebration of the film made all the made impressive considering how long it has taken to be published (the film was 1983 after all) I am impressed so much of this material has survived for so long - although there is the cynic in me who wonders how much of this is to support interest in a reboot/remake is again being banded about. That said there are already comic books being published which expand the story and which I must admit I am very interested in getting hold of at some point.
So when I saw a book was coming out charting the history of this film, celebrating its creation and giving unseen access to the behind the scenes I knew I had to add it to my collection.
This is an amazing book (if you like the film) filled with photos and art work from the film. All I can say is the hand of Brian Froud is most certainly front and centre with many pages of his designs for the film reproduced in all their glory.
One of the things I love about the books is a lot of the photos on set are black and white - it gives the whole thing a more personal feel, there is a level of intimacy the photographer had while the film was being developed and made that I think really draws you in.
This is a fantastic celebration of the film made all the made impressive considering how long it has taken to be published (the film was 1983 after all) I am impressed so much of this material has survived for so long - although there is the cynic in me who wonders how much of this is to support interest in a reboot/remake is again being banded about. That said there are already comic books being published which expand the story and which I must admit I am very interested in getting hold of at some point.
September 28, 2017
Dark Crystal. An all time favorite....especially as I became older and understood the magnitude of awesome this film is. I have spent the last 1hr 15min flipping through THE DARK CRYSTAL - ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY and I feel like a kid in a candy store!! Reproductions of actual production materials (like early sketches, memos from Jim Henson, set paperwork), incredible BTS images, concept-to-set art, fascinating bits from Brian Froud & Wendy Froud, and though I 've not actually begun reading it....the parts I have read, Caseen Gaines has just out done himself. Absolutely fantastical book!!!
November 23, 2020
As a "scrapbook of the movie", this book is good. I think if you're interested in a lot of the backstory of how the movie got made, you'll like this.
I was disappointed by the lack of pictures/discussions of design elements - initial ideas, how ideas changed/morphed, et al. Not a bad book, but nothing extraordinary and not what I was hoping for.
I was disappointed by the lack of pictures/discussions of design elements - initial ideas, how ideas changed/morphed, et al. Not a bad book, but nothing extraordinary and not what I was hoping for.
April 3, 2019
Around the turn of the year this year, I decided to embark upon the Full Dark Crystal Experience. I rewatched the movie, re-read the novel, check out some of the later day books, thought about getting the action figures... Anyway I got this and wow was impressed. A huge purple tome, festooned with illustrations and photos, this looked like it would do well to slake my thirst for all things Dark Crystal.
And slake it did! This covers from Jim Henson's earliest ideas in creating a world that would exist beyond the Muppets. His first attempt was called the Land of Gorch, which had appeared on Saturday Night Live. Shorly thereafter, he enlisted the talents of british artist Brian Froud and together they collaborated on building an epic world, one in which human actors do not appear. This history covers from the earliest moments through the trials and tribulations of modern filmmaking and financing. Bear in mind that this movie was made in the early 80's, decades before any CGI, so the simple fact that this movie stands up 30 years later, is really a testament to their work here. Especially cool was the placement of recreations of pitch booklets and internal memos and sketches that are tacked into the book like little artifacts of the production.
So for the Dark Crystal fans and anyone who is interested in both innovative and inspirational film history as well as on the cutting edge world building, check this out.
And slake it did! This covers from Jim Henson's earliest ideas in creating a world that would exist beyond the Muppets. His first attempt was called the Land of Gorch, which had appeared on Saturday Night Live. Shorly thereafter, he enlisted the talents of british artist Brian Froud and together they collaborated on building an epic world, one in which human actors do not appear. This history covers from the earliest moments through the trials and tribulations of modern filmmaking and financing. Bear in mind that this movie was made in the early 80's, decades before any CGI, so the simple fact that this movie stands up 30 years later, is really a testament to their work here. Especially cool was the placement of recreations of pitch booklets and internal memos and sketches that are tacked into the book like little artifacts of the production.
So for the Dark Crystal fans and anyone who is interested in both innovative and inspirational film history as well as on the cutting edge world building, check this out.
May 15, 2018
Este libro es un homenaje precioso a una película que lo significó todo para Jim Henson.
El mundo que él creó, junto con Brian Froud, Frank Oz y más de 400 artistas revive totalmente en este libro visual.
Una película como Cristal Oscuro no podría hacerse hoy en día, fue fruto de la creatividad y la locura de un equipo que durante 5 años lo dió todo para crear este universo pese a todos los impedimentos.
El libro nos explica todos los logros, el proceso creativo, el rodaje, incluso el entrenamiento que tenían que hacer los marionetistas para que nos hagamos una idea de cómo fue rodar el film, lo consigue también gracias a unas increíbles fotos de muchos de los procesos y de las marionetas.
Un regalazo para cualquier fan, y un libro muy interesante para cualquier amante del cine.
El mundo que él creó, junto con Brian Froud, Frank Oz y más de 400 artistas revive totalmente en este libro visual.
Una película como Cristal Oscuro no podría hacerse hoy en día, fue fruto de la creatividad y la locura de un equipo que durante 5 años lo dió todo para crear este universo pese a todos los impedimentos.
El libro nos explica todos los logros, el proceso creativo, el rodaje, incluso el entrenamiento que tenían que hacer los marionetistas para que nos hagamos una idea de cómo fue rodar el film, lo consigue también gracias a unas increíbles fotos de muchos de los procesos y de las marionetas.
Un regalazo para cualquier fan, y un libro muy interesante para cualquier amante del cine.
July 3, 2018
Una pasada de libro. Me confieso fan de la película, pero hoy en día que todo se hace por ordenador es verdaderamente impresionante ver la elaboración de una película totalmente artesanal.
Las marionetas son cada una una obra de arte, pero sobre todo este libro habla de todo el proceso creativo comenzando por las ilustraciones, el guión... y es que no son actores disfrazados como ocurre en otras películas sino marionetas, con la dificultad extra que esto implica.
ES una película ciertamente extraña, no muy para niños porque algunas partes dan realmente miedo. Pero para mí tiene algo muy especial, como la de "Dentro del laberinto" del mismo Jim Henson.
Ahora sacaré mi DVD y la volveré a ver por enésima vez, pero con otros ojos esta vez....
Las marionetas son cada una una obra de arte, pero sobre todo este libro habla de todo el proceso creativo comenzando por las ilustraciones, el guión... y es que no son actores disfrazados como ocurre en otras películas sino marionetas, con la dificultad extra que esto implica.
ES una película ciertamente extraña, no muy para niños porque algunas partes dan realmente miedo. Pero para mí tiene algo muy especial, como la de "Dentro del laberinto" del mismo Jim Henson.
Ahora sacaré mi DVD y la volveré a ver por enésima vez, pero con otros ojos esta vez....
April 22, 2020
This book is so full of magic: the magic of traditional filming and the fantastic art of puppeteering.
The Dark Crystal is a movie that has been inspiring me since I was tiny. Its aesthetics and all the world of the film has been capturing my attention for years, but this book has made me discover a full new dimension of years of work, sketches, costumes, concept art, music and working with puppets.
It has not disappointed me at all. The book is plenty of details and information about all the process of the movie, and the works that were born from it.
Welcome to the world of Thra. Welcome to The Dark Crystal franchise.
The Dark Crystal is a movie that has been inspiring me since I was tiny. Its aesthetics and all the world of the film has been capturing my attention for years, but this book has made me discover a full new dimension of years of work, sketches, costumes, concept art, music and working with puppets.
It has not disappointed me at all. The book is plenty of details and information about all the process of the movie, and the works that were born from it.
Welcome to the world of Thra. Welcome to The Dark Crystal franchise.
January 27, 2023
Jim Henson never intended The Dark Crystal to just be a movie, and this book proves exactly that. With early sketches from Brian Froud and quotes from all those that worked on the movie, this book traces the story of Thra from its conception. A magical journey!
What amazed me most is how many early ideas that were scrapped from the 1982 movie were put into later projects! I saw a lot of references, such as the names Deet and Rian to a focus on underground caves, that are found in the Age of Resistance series. Even Brian's idea of what an older Kira would look like shows itself in Mayrin, the All-Maudra.
What amazed me most is how many early ideas that were scrapped from the 1982 movie were put into later projects! I saw a lot of references, such as the names Deet and Rian to a focus on underground caves, that are found in the Age of Resistance series. Even Brian's idea of what an older Kira would look like shows itself in Mayrin, the All-Maudra.
September 4, 2019
Originally published online at BORG.com.
If you had a time machine and your goal was to find someone to give a master class in storytelling–a master class in worldbuilding–and bringing an idea to reality, would there be a better choice than Jim Henson? Henson will be forever known first for his Sesame Street character Ernie and Muppets Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, The Swedish Chef, and more. The Muppet Movie and The Muppet Show are beloved by generations. He made the unreal seem real, and fantasy as close to reality as we may ever see it. Yet he was perhaps proudest of the creation of the first full-length, live-action motion picture where the stars were all creatures, The Dark Crystal, yet another of the unforgettable films from 1982 we’re celebrating this year here at borg.com. The Henson family and The Jim Henson Company have opened their archive and published the remarkable story of the film from idea to the film’s release in The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History, available this month from Insight Editions.
Writer Caseen Gaines’ new chronicle of The Dark Crystal is not a typical “visual companion.” The story told in the text provides a most intriguing account of Henson, a behind the scenes look at the man from his family and all those who worked with him, as he talked through the idea for a darker story while delayed on a chance cancelled flight with his daughter, as he cast a team of puppet builders, creative performance artists, artisans, costumers, and concept design artists, as he leveraged the success of The Muppet Movie, and strategically negotiated his way to gain investment dollars to make a film that stands alone in the history of fantasy film. As daughter Cheryl Henson states in the book, “I don’t think my father ever tried to hide how something was done, because how it’s done is often as interesting as the final product”–and that proves true in The Ultimate Visual History. She provides a foreword to the book and an introduction is provided by film creators Brian and Wendy Froud.
Gaines includes tipped-in replica memorabilia from the Jim Henson archives, which he integrates into the narrative to illustrate the five years of Henson’s concept to screen process. Readers gain new appreciation for Henson as we witness his own hand-written notebook pages of ideas for the characters that would transform into the dualism of the Skeksis and Mystics, Brian Froud’s original concept book created to sell the idea to investors, outlines, story treatments, hand-drawn sketches, scene memos, and a concept art pitch book by Froud for a planned sequel. Photographs document a chronological preparation of characters looking at first nothing like their final on-screen personas and the difficult process of creating the mechanics for each type of character, for Gelflings Jen and Kira, the exiled Skeksis Chamberlain, Jen’s dying Mystic master, a room full of potato-headed Podlings, the wise goddess/prophet Aughra, the majestic Landstriders, the giant beetle-like Garthim, and the cute and toothy fuzzy Fizzgig. The new fantasy world had its roots in myths and folklore, yet Henson created something singular with all these magicians that was akin to Tolkien’s fantasy realm.
Harry Lange, screenwriter David Odell, artist Wendy Midener Froud, cinematographer Ossie Morris, co-producer Gary Kurtz, and Henson’s family of creators provide clues into the mind of Henson, what motivated him, why he wanted to build this new world, how his own spirituality factored into his vision, and the kind of open, creative workspace his philosophy engendered with his fellow creators. Interviews with costume creators share their own process for adding to the look of non-human characters. Physical performers discuss developing their own sort of Zen work ethic allowing them to experience the often grueling work of carrying, operating, and moving arms and legs of the fantasy beings–requiring their bodies to bend in unusual ways.
The pathway for the creation of the film intersected with work by Henson and his team on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Movie, The Muppet Show, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Empire Strikes Back. Not embraced by some audiences for its dark themes and departure from the lighthearted Muppets, Henson’s ideas intentionally diverged into new territory. As co-director Frank Oz states in the book, “What Jim wanted to do, and it was totally his vision, was to get back to the darkness of the original Grimms’ fairy tales. He thought it was fine to scare children. He didn’t think it was healthy for children to always feel safe.”
Fans of The Dark Crystal familiar with past accounts in books and in online resources will find new photographs of the crew creating and performing the characters and images of Froud’s unique and priceless concept artwork. These include one of Henson’s most fantastical creations, Aughra’s gigantic, full-scale, swirling orrery, the Mystic Valley and Crystal Chamber sets, and the giant Dark Crystal itself.
Get to know the late, great Jim Henson and challenge your own imagination and creative process by delving into The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History, available now. It would also make a good companion book with last year’s Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History reviewed at borg.com, continuing the look at Henson and his work following The Dark Crystal.
If you had a time machine and your goal was to find someone to give a master class in storytelling–a master class in worldbuilding–and bringing an idea to reality, would there be a better choice than Jim Henson? Henson will be forever known first for his Sesame Street character Ernie and Muppets Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, The Swedish Chef, and more. The Muppet Movie and The Muppet Show are beloved by generations. He made the unreal seem real, and fantasy as close to reality as we may ever see it. Yet he was perhaps proudest of the creation of the first full-length, live-action motion picture where the stars were all creatures, The Dark Crystal, yet another of the unforgettable films from 1982 we’re celebrating this year here at borg.com. The Henson family and The Jim Henson Company have opened their archive and published the remarkable story of the film from idea to the film’s release in The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History, available this month from Insight Editions.
Writer Caseen Gaines’ new chronicle of The Dark Crystal is not a typical “visual companion.” The story told in the text provides a most intriguing account of Henson, a behind the scenes look at the man from his family and all those who worked with him, as he talked through the idea for a darker story while delayed on a chance cancelled flight with his daughter, as he cast a team of puppet builders, creative performance artists, artisans, costumers, and concept design artists, as he leveraged the success of The Muppet Movie, and strategically negotiated his way to gain investment dollars to make a film that stands alone in the history of fantasy film. As daughter Cheryl Henson states in the book, “I don’t think my father ever tried to hide how something was done, because how it’s done is often as interesting as the final product”–and that proves true in The Ultimate Visual History. She provides a foreword to the book and an introduction is provided by film creators Brian and Wendy Froud.
Gaines includes tipped-in replica memorabilia from the Jim Henson archives, which he integrates into the narrative to illustrate the five years of Henson’s concept to screen process. Readers gain new appreciation for Henson as we witness his own hand-written notebook pages of ideas for the characters that would transform into the dualism of the Skeksis and Mystics, Brian Froud’s original concept book created to sell the idea to investors, outlines, story treatments, hand-drawn sketches, scene memos, and a concept art pitch book by Froud for a planned sequel. Photographs document a chronological preparation of characters looking at first nothing like their final on-screen personas and the difficult process of creating the mechanics for each type of character, for Gelflings Jen and Kira, the exiled Skeksis Chamberlain, Jen’s dying Mystic master, a room full of potato-headed Podlings, the wise goddess/prophet Aughra, the majestic Landstriders, the giant beetle-like Garthim, and the cute and toothy fuzzy Fizzgig. The new fantasy world had its roots in myths and folklore, yet Henson created something singular with all these magicians that was akin to Tolkien’s fantasy realm.
Harry Lange, screenwriter David Odell, artist Wendy Midener Froud, cinematographer Ossie Morris, co-producer Gary Kurtz, and Henson’s family of creators provide clues into the mind of Henson, what motivated him, why he wanted to build this new world, how his own spirituality factored into his vision, and the kind of open, creative workspace his philosophy engendered with his fellow creators. Interviews with costume creators share their own process for adding to the look of non-human characters. Physical performers discuss developing their own sort of Zen work ethic allowing them to experience the often grueling work of carrying, operating, and moving arms and legs of the fantasy beings–requiring their bodies to bend in unusual ways.
The pathway for the creation of the film intersected with work by Henson and his team on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Movie, The Muppet Show, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Empire Strikes Back. Not embraced by some audiences for its dark themes and departure from the lighthearted Muppets, Henson’s ideas intentionally diverged into new territory. As co-director Frank Oz states in the book, “What Jim wanted to do, and it was totally his vision, was to get back to the darkness of the original Grimms’ fairy tales. He thought it was fine to scare children. He didn’t think it was healthy for children to always feel safe.”
Fans of The Dark Crystal familiar with past accounts in books and in online resources will find new photographs of the crew creating and performing the characters and images of Froud’s unique and priceless concept artwork. These include one of Henson’s most fantastical creations, Aughra’s gigantic, full-scale, swirling orrery, the Mystic Valley and Crystal Chamber sets, and the giant Dark Crystal itself.
Get to know the late, great Jim Henson and challenge your own imagination and creative process by delving into The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History, available now. It would also make a good companion book with last year’s Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History reviewed at borg.com, continuing the look at Henson and his work following The Dark Crystal.
November 25, 2021
La película me encanta desde que era una niña y significa mucho para mí, todo el impresionante desarrollo del guión, los escenarios y los personajes está detallado en este hermoso libro. Las imágenes te transportan al set de grabación y a la maravillosa imaginación de Jim Henson.
August 29, 2019
An enjoyable and very informative look at the development and production of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal, presenting a wealth of art, design and photography in an attractive package. Author Caseen Gaines explains the complete, complex process of creating a feature film entirely with puppetry, with insightful contributions from the film’s creative team, including Brian and Wendy Froud, Cheryl Henson, Sherry Amott, Frank Oz, Brian Smithees, Robbie Barnett, David Odell, and Brian Meehl.
It was very interesting to read about the ongoing problems with financing, the initial development of ideas and numerous changes to the storyline, the specific requirements for the puppeteers and their associated performance difficulties, postproduction issues and the negative feedback from the poor test screening, and the delayed release. Learning about the significance of all these behind the scenes situations and how each was addressed was a genuine highlight for me, and although many of the photos taken during production are lacking definition when reproduced at a large size, their inclusion assists in forming an understanding of how each aspect of the film was created, executed, adjusted and finally performed.
Jim Henson’s concept for a fantasy film exploring darker themes and incorporating a strong mystical/spiritual component was a very personal journey. It provided the opportunity for him to evolve as a performer and director, and to present his beliefs on screen, where he could safely scare children with threatening characters, and entertain via a detailed world of wonder and excitement. His vision and determination to tell this story is very evident within the book, by both resisting detrimental changes that would have diluted the film’s message, and then by risking his creative reputation, and possible financial ruin, to personally back it with his own money to take control when the production company showed a distinct lack of faith in the project.
The Ultimate Visual History is filled with sketches, concept art, set photography, storyboards and advertising material, and includes numerous printed inserts (script pages, notes, booklets, memos and a call sheet). It concludes with a look at the many associated promotions and official products, including the clothing collection, novelization, graphic novels, website, and a brief mention of the Netflix series Age of Resistance. The book’s an essential purchase for fans desiring more information, and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in film production and history, fantasy world-building and the creative entertainment industries.
It was very interesting to read about the ongoing problems with financing, the initial development of ideas and numerous changes to the storyline, the specific requirements for the puppeteers and their associated performance difficulties, postproduction issues and the negative feedback from the poor test screening, and the delayed release. Learning about the significance of all these behind the scenes situations and how each was addressed was a genuine highlight for me, and although many of the photos taken during production are lacking definition when reproduced at a large size, their inclusion assists in forming an understanding of how each aspect of the film was created, executed, adjusted and finally performed.
Jim Henson’s concept for a fantasy film exploring darker themes and incorporating a strong mystical/spiritual component was a very personal journey. It provided the opportunity for him to evolve as a performer and director, and to present his beliefs on screen, where he could safely scare children with threatening characters, and entertain via a detailed world of wonder and excitement. His vision and determination to tell this story is very evident within the book, by both resisting detrimental changes that would have diluted the film’s message, and then by risking his creative reputation, and possible financial ruin, to personally back it with his own money to take control when the production company showed a distinct lack of faith in the project.
The Ultimate Visual History is filled with sketches, concept art, set photography, storyboards and advertising material, and includes numerous printed inserts (script pages, notes, booklets, memos and a call sheet). It concludes with a look at the many associated promotions and official products, including the clothing collection, novelization, graphic novels, website, and a brief mention of the Netflix series Age of Resistance. The book’s an essential purchase for fans desiring more information, and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in film production and history, fantasy world-building and the creative entertainment industries.
September 3, 2019
Wowzers. This book truly is an amazing celebration of the long journey of the Dark Crystal and all the love that went into this project. It strongly proclaims itself to be a visual history, and this is very true given how so much the book is dedicated to beautiful sketches by Brian Froud and behind-the-scenes photographs of the team who helped bring the movie to life. It's also a fascinating story filled with interviews with the different people who contributed their own artistry and vision to different aspects of the movie and this book tries to celebrate each and everyone one of them to the best of its ability.
This is a must-read for any fans of the Dark Crystal, of Jim Henson's creative genius or just brilliant storytelling itself.
This is a must-read for any fans of the Dark Crystal, of Jim Henson's creative genius or just brilliant storytelling itself.
October 2, 2017
Hardback, 192 pages. This thoroughly covers the movie The Dark Crystal from the very first ideas on through the planning process, raising money, problems with the filming, the great inventiveness of the group that worked on the film, the very negative review of a test audience, major changes made in the movie and the final movie opening.
There are also numerous photos, again covering all aspects of the making of the movie. The book also covers the various merchandise made for the film (up to the date the book was written, of course.) If you are a Dark Crystal fan then this is a must for your collection.
There are also numerous photos, again covering all aspects of the making of the movie. The book also covers the various merchandise made for the film (up to the date the book was written, of course.) If you are a Dark Crystal fan then this is a must for your collection.
September 27, 2017
This thing deserves ten stars.
A fan of the movie since I was very young, I found this book a pleasing stroll down memory lane and an in depth look at the unabashed level of designing and detailing that went into create every single element of this once in a lifetime cinematic wonder.
Truly a book for fans of all ages.
A fan of the movie since I was very young, I found this book a pleasing stroll down memory lane and an in depth look at the unabashed level of designing and detailing that went into create every single element of this once in a lifetime cinematic wonder.
Truly a book for fans of all ages.
November 21, 2017
There's something absolutely stunning about seeing the backstory from a beloved film. The amount of work and dedication that went into this film is mindblowing. I adore this film and seeing the heart and soul the team put into making Henson's dream a reality is incredible.
February 6, 2021
This is an excellent chronicle of the development of The Dark Crystal. It includes some unique reproductions of production documents like memos, sketches, call sheets, and even a ticket to the premiere.
January 21, 2026
I am a huge Dark Crystal fan and loved the details of the development for Jim Hensons vision of his first film. Beautiful photographs, storyboards, and even images of character development! I will be watching the film and the Netflix series all over again - absolutely obsessed!
May 9, 2018
Beautiful images and a well composed narrative.
Read
August 29, 2019Finished just in time for the prequel series! The legacy of this film is incredible. Even long time fans will find info and images they've never before encountered in the pages of this book.
January 26, 2022
An absolute joy to read, covers so many aspects of the development, making and reception of the dark crystal, with incredible photos throughout!
May 16, 2023
Everytime I revisit this world I fall in love with it all over again. Seeing how one of my favourite and comfort films was made makes me so glad I picked this up.
February 3, 2026
beautiful book
March 31, 2026
5
A must have for any super-fan of The Dark Crystal!
A must have for any super-fan of The Dark Crystal!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews