What Is 'The Dark Crystal'?

The Dark Crystal is a fantasy film that was released in 1982. It was directed by Jim Henson (best known for his work on The Muppets) and Frank Oz.

The Dark Crystal tells the story of a prophecy about a Gelfling (an elf-like being) returning a shard to the Dark Crystal, which was cracked by the urSkeks (original rulers of the planet Thra). Upon the cracking of the crystal, the urSkeks were separated into two different races: the Skeksis, who are cruel, vulture-like creatures, and the Mystics, who are gentle creatures. Jen, who believes he is the last of the Gelflings, is chosen by a prophecy to retrieve the last shard of the the Dark Crystal, which, once complete, will stop the reign of the Skeksis.

Jen discovers that he is not the last of the Gelflings when he meets Kira, a Gelfling who was raised by creatures known as Podlings, after her family were by killed by the Skeksis. She joins him in his quest to replace the shard. After a series of obstacles, the shard is finally put in place, allowing the Dark Crystal to become the Crystal of Truth, as it was before it was broken.