Talk: The Dark Crystal

Box office

The triva section says that "After its dismal box-office performance, Universal abdicated video rights to CBS/Fox Video." According to Box Office Mojo it did fairly well. And even without being adjusted for inflation it is the second highest grossing puppet film of all time (and the second highest grossing Muppet/Henson film), it is the 17th highest grossing live-action fantasy film (behind a slue of recent hits - Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc). Back in 1982 it spend just 63-days in theaters and brought in $40.5-million. I know it was a very expensive film to make (which all factors into the "success" of a film) but was the performance dismal? Why would Henson be revisiting it if it was a gigantic flop? Labyrinth was somewhat of a flop, but was The Dark Crystal? Is there a source to show that the performance was "dismal" or that Henson was displeased at the performance? Maybe having the production cost would help balance the argument that it didn't do well, but I just don't know if it was the gigantic tanker it has since been made out to be. Thoughts? -- Brad D. (talk) 01:09, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Well, flops are re-visited if there's a cult following, so the existence of a planned sequel doesn't in itself prove that The Dark Crystal was a success. However, this definitely seems like something that would recquire more research, particularly in comparison to its rivals at the box office. The fact that its the 17th highest ranking fantasy films, since in general outsidw of Star Wars and until recent years the genre was widely regarded as a gamble, says less than a figure by figure comparison to how it fared against other films in 1982, and definitely factoring in costs. In general, though, this definitely seems like an area that recquired more research. So I'd say go ahead and take the statement out, and feel free to dig up more precise figures. Right now as is, without specifics, it does sound very POV. -- Andrew Leal (talk) 01:32, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Film Credits

Do we want to include the film credit listing for Dark Crystal on this page. ie. all the puppeteers, voice-artistes, and puppet builders? Or is this listed somewhere else? Emma 23:01, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Video release info

I'm doing the best I can on updating this stuff from memory, but I'm a little foggy on who released the original VHS. I know CBS/Fox released Muppet Caper on video even though Universal released it in the theater, so I guessed on Dark Crystal. Anyone who has the original VHS from the 80's, please correct me if I'm wrong. -- TomH 03:31, 4 Jan 2006 (UTC)