From Publishers Weekly
This lavish, oversized picture book revisits the collaboration between Froud, prominent fairy artist, and Jim Hensen, Muppeteer, in the creation of their cult favorite The Dark Crystal. Reissued after 20 years, this portfolio of sketches and backdrop paintings retains a certain mystique, crammed to the margins with moss-covered runes and medieval diagrams, and peopled by the movie's menagerie of grotesque, shambling puppets. Unfortunately, the narrative fails to support the elaborate art direction, offering a dim echo of the Lord of the Rings with none of the complexity or scope. The long-nosed Gelflings and vulturish Skeksis-as well as the whole hodge-podge of occult symbols and carefully antiquated tools-come across as strangely arbitrary, constantly reaching for a profundity that never appears. But for the many fans of the movie and young children interested in fantasy-adventure, the book will satisfy greatly. Also included in the package is a preliminary 20-page sketchbook for the production, unseen until now.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
Now 20 years old, Jim Henson's classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal - featuring the breathtaking concept design of renowned artist Brian Froud - is an incredible work of the imagination. This mystical adventure has such a cult following that when the film was recently re-released on video and DVD, it quickly sold a million copies. Just as remarkable is the cult status of The World of the Dark Crystal, Froud's book on the film. Originally published in 1982, this definitive and beautifully illustrated volume is being reissued in a collector's edition. This superb reproduction of the original volume includes an additional new essay by Froud, illustrated with previously unpublished paintings, drawings and sculptures from the film's archives. The new edition also features a facsimile of a 20-page booklet Froud and Henson created to present the film to backers - an overview of the story so rare that only a few copies are known to exist. This collector's edition of The World of the Dark Crystal, like the re-released film, is a must have for all Henson and Froud fans.
