Legendary Pictures: Finding Synonymy Between The Dark Crystal and The Legend of Zelda

For my pick in our “Legendary Pictures” series, I decided to take things back to another world, another time… in the age of wonder. I want to divulge why a film that I watched ad nauseum in my childhood to the point that our VHS copy was worn thin reminds me so much of The Legend of Zelda. I want to discuss my treasure, my fate: The Dark Crystal.

I’m sure my fellow editors will no doubt convey this sentiment in their own respective contributions, but I absolutely love this film. As an 80’s baby, I grew up on a healthy dose of NES games and the fantasy films of that decade. For anyone that doesn’t know, The Dark Crystal is an objectively wonderful fantasy epic from the mind of Jim Henson that hit theaters in 1982. Using impressive puppetry, practical techniques, and filmmaking know-how, Henson and co. created a living, breathing fantasy world that dealt with elementary but effective ideals of good versus evil.

I want to provide a friendly warning before I begin in earnest that there will be spoilers for said film throughout this piece. If you plan on watching it (and you should), please come back here afterward.

The film begins with a bit of expository dialogue that introduces the viewer to the necessary aspects of the world of Thra, including the villainous Skeksis and their insatiable hunger for the power of the titular dark crystal. By siphoning the life force of “lesser beings”, the Skeksis are able to use this energy with the aid of the crystal to maintain their age and vigor. A hierarchy exists among these vulture-like wretches, with one Skeksis becoming the new emperor in an early scene. I find that this approach works well to establish an adequate amount of world-building, and it’s definitely something we’ve seen before in Zelda — most notably in the opening crawl of A Link to the Past that sets the stage for the events to come and introduces us to the villain of the tale with a demonstration of their awful power.

Shortly thereafter, we’re introduced to Jen, the last of the Gelflings — a race of small, pointy-eared beings (sound familiar?) that were thought to be all but extinguished by the Skeksis. A prophecy has foretold the demise of the Skeksis by Gelfling hands, and they weren’t about to take any chances. Jen is raised by a group of lethargic creatures called the Mystics, and his understanding of the world of Thra is limited by what he has learned during his years in the small commune that the Mystics inhabit. It’s here that we learn of Jen’s calling to find a shard of the dark crystal currently held by the mysterious “Aughra”. This sense of destiny is one of the key themes that connect both of these franchises together intrinsically — a sense of purpose. Both Jen and Link are thrust into an adventure beyond their control, fated to change the course of events in motion for the greater good — their lives predetermined by circumstance.

The early portion of Jen’s quest is one of isolation. Far removed from the comforts of the community of Mystics, he’s exposed to dangers beyond his ken. There’s a synonymy in the initial stages of this adventure with The Legend of Zelda. Save for a wooden sword received in the first screen of the NES original, Link is left to his own contrivances in the fulfillment of his own journey. The hardships and triumphs are theirs to experience.

Jen soon happens upon the wild sage Aughra in unceremonious fashion, and we find that she’s a being of both wisdom and eccentricity incarnate. It seems an event called “The Great Conjunction” looms, and Jen must reunite a shard of the dark crystal with the remainder of its body in order to prevent it. Ambiguous consequences are mentioned, and it’s unclear what the outcome of the realization of The Great Conjunction will be. Thra could be destroyed, or reborn. This is a chance that Jen and Aughra know cannot be taken.

With shard in hand, Jen is forced to part ways with Aughra, as a squad of Garthim, the minions of the Skeksis, arrive to wreak havoc in their search of the last surviving Gelfling. This scene brings to mind the aftermath of Link’s excursion into the depths of the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time. The forest guardian imparts the Kokiri’s Emerald to the boy without a fairy, and explains that he must acquire two additional stones from other races throughout Hyrule in order to stop a rider in black from bringing about untold destruction. The stakes are heightened, and the resolve of our heroes are called into question. Do they have what it takes to see their tasks through to fruition?

The shard in his hand the impetus for his quest, Jen continues onward. Trekking through lush and animated settings, he makes a startling discovery: he’s not quite as alone as he once thought. Enter Kira, a female Gelfling that had been raised by a race of pint-sized creatures named Podlings in similar secrecy. Her kindness, mannerisms, fair appearance, and ability to communicate with the creatures around her insinuate a demure, regal personality — much like a certain princess we all know and love.

Fate has brought these two together, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out the obvious connection to the intertwined legacy of Link and Zelda through the designs of the Triforce. Both pairs learn so much from each other; their walks of life disparate but nothing insurmountable in terms of love and friendship.

After several encounters with the Garthim and an outcasted Skeksis known as the Chamberlain (mmmmmm!), the pair finally arrives at the Castle of the Crystal. The end in sight, they infiltrate the fortress and begin to make their way toward the crystal chamber. It’s during this time that we see a pilgrimage of the mystics that started earlier in the film reaching its endgame. All parties are now converging for a final confrontation within the castle, and it’s untelling how the tale will resolve. In an unfortunate twist of fate, Kira is captured by the Chamberlian, eager to rejoin the ranks of his fellow Skeksis, and she is to have her life essence drained to invigorate them once more. Luckily, she escapes with the help of creatures held captive in the laboratory used for draining essence, and she begins to search for Jen. The Skeksis meanwhile have begun to make for the crystal chamber, feeling its call.

With the Great Conjunction looming overhead, Jen finds his way to the chamber, only to find that the Skeksis and Kira enter shortly thereafter. They’re discovered and Kira is murdered in front of him. The conjunction begins, but Jen is able to reunite the shard into the dark crystal before it can be completed. The castle begins to crumble and Jen is left to hold the lifeless body of Kira as the Mystics enter the chamber. A unification of the Skeksis and the Mystics begins to unfold before Jen, and it is revealed that both of these groups were once of a singular body and mind.

The UrSkek as they were known, were foreign to the land of Thra, and in their hubris shattered not only the crystal, but themselves. They urge Jen to hold Kira close to him, and through their divine power she is revived. The crystal is then left in the care of the Gelflings, and the UrSkek leave through the heavens above. I’ve always found this scene to be synonymous with the finale to my favorite Zelda: A Link to the Past. Link, having defeated Ganon within the great pyramid enters a chamber that houses the Triforce itself. It’s here that he learns the nature of its power and how the hearts of those that wield it affect the world itself. Link is entrusted with its power to right the wrongs that Ganon made manifest, and return Hyrule and the Dark World to their rightful state.

It’s this pervading sense of hope and renewal that has allowed both of these franchises to endure as they have. Granted, Zelda has been far more prevalent in the decades since its debut, but with the recent release and success of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix, there’s proof enough that Jim Henson’s tale has sufficient legs to stand on for generations to come. On a personal level, I couldn’t be more pleased to see the land of Thra getting exposed to a whole new audience. I love the idea of people discovering this wonderful, puppet-filled adventure that I’ve adored for over 30 years, and if you love The Legend of Zelda I can’t recommend it enough.

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Bryan King is an editor for Zelda Dungeon. When he’s not obsessing over Link’s adventures, you can usually find him running games of Dungeons & Dragons or watching Twin Peaks.