Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Black Crystal Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 21, 2023

1991’s “The Black Crystal” arrives on Blu-ray, making its disc debut courtesy of AFGA, who elect to sell the picture with cover art title font that’s an exact copy of the 1982 Jim Henson/Frank Oz masterpiece, “The Dark Crystal.” It’s a bewildering artistic choice, as the features have nothing in common and share no production connection, sure to leave those expecting to see a Gefling or two greatly disappointed. Instead of high fantasy and exquisite puppet work, “The Black Crystal” (which is titled “The Black Triangle” on the film) offers a no-budget thriller involving ill-defined magic and lengthy scenes of people driving. So much driving. Writer/director/composer/editor/star Mike Conway, who may have some type of automobile fetish, attempts to create excitement in the wilds of Tucson, Arizona with the endeavor, arranging a hunt for a special crystal pyramid involving an Average Joe and the jeans-only cult that wants to kill him.

Will (Mike Conway) is driving through the expanse of Arizona when he stops to pick up a hitchhiker. The stranger is agitated, and for good reason, with cult leader Daniel soon catching up to Will’s car, torturing the hitchhiker as he hunts for the location of a special magic pyramid of power. Will gets away, continuing his journey to visit his brother, Pete, at his cabin home, finding the pyramid in his car. Trying to understand what’s going on, Will visits Daphne (Lilly Brown), a local woman once tied up in Daniel’s cult, in possession of knowledge related to black magic. When Daniel’s forces make their way into the area, Will and Daphne are forced to confront the threat, facing a determined enemy looking to collect a mysterious crystal capable of amplifying special powers.

Will’s just a guy on the road, rocketing down an interstate in his prized automobile when we meet him in “The Black Crystal.” He’s also a gentle soul, offering a needy man a ride to wherever he’s going, but generosity quickly backfires on our hero(?), as Daniel and his goons quickly catch up, looking to make a mess of the hitchhiker and retrieve the small pyramid. The opening sequence of “The Black Crystal” actually provides some punch, with Conway successfully achieving a few of his visual goals, offering a reasonably exciting examination of intimidation and escape, with Will managing to reclaim his car and take off, easily eluding his pursuers. There’s a little visual energy to the encounter, and the production establishes the overall conflict, as the cult needs the crystal, and Will unknowingly has it, taking possession of a pyramid he doesn’t recognize.

“The Black Crystal” settles in the small mountain town of Summer Haven, where Will reunites with Pete, sharing his wild near-death experience with a sibling who doesn’t seem to understand the severity of the situation. Only Daphne can help, and she’s nearby, living a solitary life with the locals avoiding her, branding the woman a witch. “The Black Crystal” tries to get something going with Will and Daphne, with the young man hoping to charm the stranger with a roast beef lunch. Turns out, that’s the culinary key that opens an erotic door, as talk of crystals and cults is soon set aside for clumsy flirtations and, eventually, sex. Romantic intentions are flimsy in the feature, with Conway unsure how to deal with human emotions. However, he does know a lot about cars, as the movie is chock full of scenes where people drive around. They drive to destinations. They park. They return to their cars and drive to more destinations. It’s clear Conway is trying to pad his already short endeavor with all this automobile activity, and it’s a disappointment to watch the effort, which deals with cults and magic, spend so much time on the road.

The Black Crystal Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While originally shot on Super 8, "The Black Crystal" only survives on a videotape master, which is the source for the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Fine detail isn't available here, but a general sense of frame elements are understood. Color is uneven but not problematic, dealing with primaries on clothing and plenty of rural activity, with greenery appreciable. Blood is also reasonably distinct. Delineation is acceptable for this level of resolution. Source has a few points of damage.

The Black Crystal Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles the feature's crude sense of sound recording, offering intelligible dialogue exchanges throughout the listening event. Scoring offers a decently clear synth sound, supporting moods satisfactorily.

The Black Crystal Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• VHS Version (70:14, SD) of "The Black Crystal" is provided.

• Commentary features director Mike Conway.

• Interview (8:14, HD) is a dual chat with actor Mark Long and director Mike Conway. The helmer provides a brief overview of the production process, including cast and catering, feeding his team with the cheapest food available. He also provides an introduction for Long's conversation, which was recorded many years ago.

• Shorts by Mike Conway include 2012's "Bug Complex" (7:09), 2010's "The Contingency Plan" (4:03), 1999's "Road Kill" (13:06), and 2013's "Tequila" (6:32).

• And a Home Video Trailer (1:20, SD) is included.

The Black Crystal Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Black Crystal" is a backyard production, with limited resources to really deliver powerful thriller activity. The last act offers gunplay and chases around Summer Haven, which is diverting enough. Daniel makes his threats and Will and Daphne look to survive the afternoon, and we learn more about these relationships, which helps to diminish the fantastical nature of the premise. As for magic, there's almost none in the feature, with the pyramid largely for show, becoming the MacGuffin as Conway spends more time developing a droopy detective story for Will and his, I guess, irresistible charms. "The Black Crystal" has a few peppy scenes, but these moments are few and far between when there's driving to be photographed and commanding cult power to, for some reason, not visualize.