Co-Presented by Bubonicon 53, with door prizes.  Film will be introduced by Henson biographer Brian Jay Jones of Albuquerque, with short talk by local puppeteer Michael McCormick (who worked on the film).

Classic early 80’s cult film from Muppet creator Jim Henson & crew! Another planet, another time.  1000 years ago the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began!  The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile the orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skesis their power and restore the balance of the universe.

The Dark Crystal was marketed as a family film, but was notably darker than the creators’ previous material.  The animatronics used in the film were considered groundbreaking for its time, with most creatures, like the Gelflings, requiring around four puppeteers to achieve full manipulation.  The primary concept artist was fantasy illustrator Brian Froud, famous for his distinctive fairy & dwarf designs.  Froud also collaborated with Henson for his next project, the 1986 film Labyrinth.  Albuquerque puppeteer Michael McCormick was part of the Skekis fabrication unit

“A children’s fantasy film so enjoyable, imaginative and devoid of cuteness that you want to shake the hand of each individual member of the huge team of collaborators.” – John Engstrom, Boston Globe

“A mesmerizing picture that will enchant older children and adults alike.” – David Parkinson, Radio Times

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