La guerre du feu (1981)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writers:

Gérard Brach (screenplay)
J.H. Rosny Sr. (novel)

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

A Science Fantasy Adventure.

Plot:

This story takes place in prehistoric time when three prehistoric tribesmen search for a new fire source.

Plot Keywords:

Prehistoric | Fire | Tribe | Mammoth | Trio

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Everett McGill	...	Naoh
Ron Perlman	...	Amoukar
Nicholas Kadi	...	Gaw (as Nameer El-Kadi)
Rae Dawn Chong	...	Ika
Gary Schwartz	...	The Ulam Tribe - Rouka
Naseer El-Kadi	...	The Ulam Tribe - Nam
Franck-Olivier Bonnet	...	The Ulam Tribe - Aghoo
Jean-Michel Kindt	...	The Ulam Tribe - Lakar
Kurt Schiegl	...	The Ulam Tribe - Faum
Brian Gill	...	The Ulam Tribe - Modoc
Terry Fitt	...	The Ulam Tribe - Hourk
Bibi Caspari	...	The Ulam Tribe - Gammla
Peter Elliott	...	The Ulam Tribe - Mikr
Michelle Leduc	...	The Ulam Tribe - Matr
Robert Lavoie	...	The Ulam Tribe - Tsor

Also Known As:

Quest for Fire (International: English title) (Philippines: English title)
The War of Fire (International: English title) (literal title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Canada | France | USA

Language:

None

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 (cut) | Iceland:16 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Denmark:15 | New Zealand:R13 (re-rating) | Australia:MA (re-rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Badlands, Alberta, Canada

Company:

Belstar Productions

Trivia:

The special features and commentary state that there are only two species of hominids in the movie, Homo-sapiens and Neanderthal. Naoh and Ika are Homo-sapiens; however, the director commentary states that Ika's people are "more evolved". The other species, the Ape-like creatures, are representing Neanderthal man. If using the shooting locations as a reference; Naoh is from Scotland, Ika is from Kenya, and of course the Neanderthals are from Germany.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Wire attached to moth as it flies over the fire.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" (2003)

Anthropoids galore!

One of the elements of this film I liked the most was the realistic depiction of the diversity of anthropoid types that existed in those times. This was executed beautifully and skillfully in the depiction of several diverse tribal groups, explaining the well deserved Oscar for makeup.

When Naoh finds the love of his life in one of these other tribes, it is because there is an element of compatibility both between the cultures and the two individuals supporting the attraction they share. Some of the other groups depicted don't do as well in the tribal intercourse and cultural sharing department, as they tend to eat the individuals from other tribes that they encounter.

Another elements of realism that scores big with me was that there are attacks by wild animals as well as by anthropoids. I also liked the language used by the main tribe, there was a suggestion that the language was evolving right before us as the travelers, having been sent on a quest for fire, returned with quite a bit more to talk about.

This is one of my favorite movies, possibly the most favorite.