The Dark Crystal (1982)

Joseph O'Conor: Narrator, Urskeks

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Narrator : Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good - until the Crystal cracked. For a single piece was lost; a shard of the Crystal. Then strife began, and two new races appeared: the cruel Skeksis, the gentle Mystics. Here in the castle of the Crystal, the Skeksis took control. Now the Skeksis gather in the sacred chamber, where the Crystal hangs above a shaft of air and fire. The Skeksis with their hard and twisted bodies, their harsh and twisted wills. For a thousand years they have ruled, yet now there are only ten. A dying race, ruled by a dying emperor, imprisoned within themselves in a dying land. Today, once more, they gather at the Crystal as the first sun climbs to its peak. For this is the way of the Skeksis. As they ravaged the land, so too they learned to draw new life from the sun. Today, once more, they will replenish themselves, cheat death again, through the power of their source, their treasure, their fate - the Dark Crystal.

  [Title card] 

  Narrator : ... But today, the ceremony of the sun gives no comfort. Today, an emperor lies dying. Today, a new emperor must seize the throne.

• Narrator : [In the Valley of the Mystics]  A thousand years ago, the Crystal cracked. And here, far from the castle, the race of Mystics came to live in a dream of peace. Their ways were the gentle ways of natural wizards. Yet now there are only ten. A dying race, numbly rehearsing the ancient ways in a blur of forgetfulness. But today, the ritual gives no comfort. Today, the wisest of the Mystics lies dying. Today, they summon the one who must save them.

  [All Mystics sing a low tone of summoning] 

  Narrator : [cut to Jen playing a double-pipe by a pond]  In the valley of the Mystics, there lives a Gelfling, Jen. The Skeksis killed his family, destroyed his clan. Only Jen survived, to be raised by the wisest of the Mystics. But there is a prophecy. A thousand years have passed, and now, once more, the world must undergo a time of testing. Now it must he healed, or pass forever into the rule of evil. At this time, Jen is the chosen one. Today, Jen's pipe gives no comfort. For today, his master lies dying. And a journey must begin - the journey of Jen.

• Narrator : The Skeksis, with their hard and twisted bodies, their harsh and twisted wills. For a thousand years they have ruled. Yet now, there are only ten: a dying race, ruled by a dying Emperor, imprisoned within themselves in a dying land.

• [last lines] 

  Aughra : [citing the prophecy]  What was sundered and undone, shall be whole, the two made one!

  Urskeks : And now, the prophecy is fulfilled. We are again one.

  [an awestruck Jen carries Kira's body, and walks towards the Urskeks] 

  Urskeks : Many ages ago, in our arrogance and delusion, we shattered the pure Crystal, and our world split apart. Your courage and sacrifice have made us whole, and restored the true power of the Crystal.

  [notices Jen cradling the lifeless Kira in despair] 

  Urskeks : Hold her to you. She is part of you, as we all are part of each other.

  [Kira is miraculously restored, much to Jen's wonder and relief] 

  Urskeks : Now we leave you the Crystal of Truth. Make your world in its light.

  [the Urskeks become a swirling light, and ascend into the sky, as an enthralled Jen and Kira watch]