Quest for Fire (1981) La guerre du feu (original title)

Director:

Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writers:

Gérard Brach (screenplay)
J.H. Rosny Sr. (based on the novel by)

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:

Fire | Tribe | Travel | Primitive | 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	...	Rouka - The Ulam Tribe
Naseer El-Kadi	...	Nam - The Ulam Tribe
Franck-Olivier Bonnet	...	Aghoo - The Ulam Tribe (as Frank Olivier Bonnet)
Jean-Michel Kindt	...	Lakar - The Ulam Tribe
Kurt Schiegl	...	Faum - The Ulam Tribe
Brian Gill	...	Modoc - The Ulam Tribe
Terry Fitt	...	Hourk - The Ulam Tribe
Bibi Caspari	...	Gammla - The Ulam Tribe
Peter Elliott	...	Mikr - The Ulam Tribe
Michelle Leduc	...	Matr - The Ulam Tribe
Robert Lavoie	...	Tsor - The Ulam Tribe
Matt Birman	...	Morah - The Ulam Tribe
Christian Benard	...	Umbre - The Ulam Tribe
Joy Boushel	...	The Ulam Tribe (as Joy Boushell)
Lydia Chaban	...	The Ulam Tribe
Mary Lou Foy	...	The Ulam Tribe
Dena Francis	...	The Ulam Tribe
Robert Gondek	...	The Ulam Tribe
Hélène Grégoire	...	The Ulam Tribe (as Hélène Gregoire)
Sylvie Guilbault	...	The Ulam Tribe
Lloyd McKinnon	...	The Ulam Tribe
Steve Ramanuskas	...	The Ulam Tribe
Georgette Rondeau	...	The Ulam Tribe
Rod Bennett	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Jacques Demers	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Michel Drouet	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Michel Francoeur	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Charles Gosselin	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Bernard Kendall	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Benoît Lévesque	...	The Wagabou Tribe (as Benoit Levesque)
Joshua Melnick	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Jean-Claude Meunier	...	The Wagabou Tribe
Alex Quaglia	...	The Wagabou Tribe
The Great Antonio	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Jacques Caron	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Jean-Pierre Gagné	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Hercule Gaston Heon	...	The Kzamm Tribe
George Buza	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Danny Lynch	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Butch Lynch	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Luke McMasters	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Adrian Street	...	The Kzamm Tribe
Tarlok Sing Seva	...	Tavawa - The Ivaka Tribe
Lolamal Kapisisi	...	Firemaker - The Ivaka Tribe
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Alary	...	The Kzamm Tribe (uncredited)
Stéphane Drouet	...	Man on Fire (uncredited)

Directed by
Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writing credits
Gérard Brach		(screenplay) (as Gerard Brach)
J.H. Rosny Sr.		(based on the novel by)

Produced by
Véra Belmont	....	co-producer (as Vera Belmont)
Jacques Dorfmann	....	co-producer
Michael Gruskoff	....	executive producer
Denis Héroux	....	producer (as Denis Heroux)
John Kemeny	....	producer
Michael D. Moore	....	associate producer: in charge of action & animal scenes (as Michael Moore)
Claude Nedjar	....	associate producer
Garth Thomas	....	associate producer: Europe

Original Music by
Philippe Sarde

Cinematography by
Claude Agostini		(photography)

Film Editing by
Yves Langlois

Costume Design by
John Hay
Penny Rose

Makeup Department
Barbara Alexander	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Jenny Arbour	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Stuart Artingstall	....	hair/wigs: Scotland and Kenya (as Stuart Artinstall)
Pipsan Ayotte	....	makeup artist: Canada
Jocelyne Bellemare	....	makeup artist: Canada
Suzanne Benoit	....	principal makeup artist
Michèle Burke	....	head of makeup department: Canada
Michèle Burke	....	principal makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya
John Caglione Jr.	....	special effects makeup: Canada (as John Caglione)
Normande Campeau	....	makeup artist: Canada
Kathryn Casault	....	makeup artist: Canada (as Kathryn Cassault)
Luc Champagne	....	laboratory technician: makeup, Canada
Josiane Deschamps	....	principal makeup artist
Lyne Desmarais	....	makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya
Stephan Dupuis	....	special effects makeup (as Stéphan Dupuis)
Nick Forder	....	makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya
Richard Hansen	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Sue Ignatius	....	principal makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya (as Sue Frear)
Joan Isaacson	....	principal makeup artist
Inge Klaudi	....	makeup artist: Canada
Colette Kramer	....	makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya
Marie-Josée La Fontaine	....	makeup artist: Canada (as Marie-Josée Lafontaine)
André Lafrenière	....	hair/wigs: Canada (as Andre Lafreniere)
Ivan Lynch	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Kathleen Mifsud	....	makeup artist: Canada
Louise Mignault	....	makeup artist: Canada
Sarah Monzani	....	head of makeup department: Scotland and Kenya
Linda Preston	....	makeup artist: Canada
Bob Pritchett	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Fautina Recio	....	hair/wigs: Canada
Barry Richardson	....	hair/wigs: Scotland and Kenya
Frans Sayers	....	laboratory technician: makeup, Canada
Marc Seguin	....	body painter: Canada
Michel Seguin	....	body painter: Canada
Maureen Stephenson	....	principal makeup artist: Scotland and Kenya
Micheline Trépanier	....	makeup artist: Canada (as Micheline Foisy)
Christopher Tucker	....	creative makeup consultant
Denise West	....	makeup artist: Canada
Grace Yu	....	body painter: Canada

Production Management
Raymond Becket	....	unit manager
Peter Bray	....	unit manager
Christopher Knowles	....	assistant unit manager: Scotland and Kenya (as Chris Knowles)
Stéphane Reichel	....	production manager: Canada (as Stephan Reichel)
Doug Smith	....	assistant unit manager: Canada
Matthew Vibert	....	production manager: Scotland and Kenya

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Bracknell	....	first assistant director: Scotland and Kenya
Dominique Cheminal	....	first assistant director
John Desormeaux	....	second assistant director: Canada
Jennifer Jones	....	third assistant director: Canada
Francois Leclerc	....	third assistant director: Canada
Terry Pearce	....	second assistant director: Scotland and Kenya
Matthew Vibert	....	first assistant director: Canada
Michael Williams	....	second assistant director: Canada

Art Department
Terry Apsey	....	construction manager: Scotland and Kenya
Enrico Campana	....	propman
Clinton Cavers	....	art director: Scotland and Kenya
Guy J. Comtois	....	production designer: Canada (as Guy Comtois)
Dave Jordan	....	property master: Scotland and Kenya (as David Jordan)
Raymond Larose	....	assistant art director: Canada
Brian Morris	....	production designer: Scotland & Kenya
Brian Payne	....	prop master
Claude Simard	....	construction manager
Gareth Wilson	....	propman

Sound Department
Martin Ashbee	....	dialogue editor
Denis Dupont	....	boom man: Scotland and Kenya
David Evans	....	sound effects editor
Austin Grimaldi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Joe Grimaldi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Claude Hazanavicius	....	location sound mixer
Kenneth Heeley-Ray	....	sound supervisor (as Ken Heeley-Ray)
Kevin Ward	....	sound effects editor
Don White	....	foley recording mixer
Don White	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Martin Malivoire	....	special effects supervisor: Canada
Mark Molin	....	special effects technician: Canada
Neil Trifunovich	....	special effects technician: Canada

Stunts
Joe Campassi	....	animal stunts
Bonnie Gruen	....	stunt performer
Shawn Gruskoff	....	animal stunts
Tim Huleatt	....	stunt performer
Karin McElhatton	....	animal stunts (as Karin Dew)
Dwayne McLean	....	stunt performer
Brian McMillan	....	animal stunts
Brent Meyer	....	stunt performer

Camera and Electrical Department
Ronald Anscombe	....	first assistant cameraman: Scotland and Kenya (as Ronnie Anscombe)
Christophe Bonnière	....	second assistant cameraman: Scotland and Kenya
George Bottos	....	first assistant cameraman: Scotland and Kenya
Jock Brandis	....	generator operator: Canada
Carlo Campana	....	grip
Pierre Charpentier	....	grip: Canada
Andy Chmura	....	camera operator: Canada
Michel Chohin	....	grip: Scotland and Kenya
Patrick Clune	....	second assistant cameraman: Canada
John Daoust	....	grip: Canada (as Johnny Daoust)
Greg Farrow	....	first assistant cameraman: Canada
Michel Girard	....	second assistant cameraman: Canada
Paul Gravel	....	first assistant cameraman: Canada
Robert Guertin	....	first assistant cameraman: Canada
Ernst Haas	....	still photographer
Frieder Hocheim	....	best boy (as Frieder Hochheim)
David Hynes	....	electrician: Canada
Maris H. Jansons	....	gaffer (as Maris Jansons)
Emmanuel Lepine	....	grip: Canada (as Emanuel Lepine)
Larry Lynn	....	second assistant cameraman: Scotland and Kenya
Paul Morin	....	second assistant cameraman: Canada
Takashi Seida	....	still photographer
Al Smith	....	principal camera operator
Adam Swica	....	electrician: Canada
Paul Van der Linden	....	camera operator: Canada (as Paul Van Der Linden)
Keith Woods	....	second camera operator: Scotland and Kenya

Casting Department
Andrée Champagne	....	casting: Montreal
Dominique Cheminal	....	casting: Nairobi
Ellen Chenoweth	....	casting: Los Angeles
Lesley De Pettit	....	casting: London (as Lesley De Pettitt)
Karen Hazzard	....	casting: Toronto
Mamade	....	casting: Paris
Lois Planco	....	casting: New York
Arden R. Ryshpan	....	casting: Montreal (as Arden Ryshpan)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Briony Anderson	....	wardrobe: Scotland and Kenya
Fabienne April	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Renée April	....	wardrobe mistress
Sylvie Bellemare	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Blanche-Danielle Boileau	....	assistant costume designer (as Blanche Boileau)
Marianne Coulon	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Mario Davignon	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Maureen Gurney	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Colin On	....	costumes: mammoth, Scotland and Kenya
Johanne Prégent	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada (as Johanne Pregent)
Martin Sauve	....	wardrobe assistant: Canada
Janty Yates	....	wardrobe: Scotland and Kenya (as Janet Yates)

Editorial Department
Glenn Berman	....	assistant editor
Thomas Metzger	....	color timer

Music Department
William Flageollet	....	music mixer
Peter Knight	....	conductor
Michel Sanvoisin	....	musician: flute
Syrinx	....	musician: pan flute

Transportation Department
Rick Disensi	....	driver captain: Canada
Joe Sanchez	....	driver

Other crew
Rick Anderson	....	location manager: Kenya
Laurence Duval Annaud	....	assistant to the director (as Laurence Duval)
Laurence Duval Annaud	....	script supervisor (as Laurence Duval)
Anthony Burgess	....	creator: special languages
Paul Cadiou	....	production accountant: Scotland and Kenya
Jimmy Chipperfield	....	animal consultant: Scotland and Kenya
Valerie Craig	....	production assistant: Scotland and Kenya
Quinn Donoghue	....	unit publicity: Canada, David Novek & Associates
Philippe Druillet	....	poster designer
Peter Elliott	....	coach: body movement
Karen Fried	....	assistant to the producer
Jack Fritz	....	production secretary: Scotland and Kenya (as Jackie Fritz)
Laura Grumitt	....	contact: London (as Laura Grummitt)
Michael Gruskoff	....	presenter
Joanne T. Harwood	....	script supervisor: Canada
Angela Heald	....	production coordinator: Scotland and Kenya
Ralph Helfer	....	animal consultant: Canada
Desmond Jones	....	coach: body movement
Bob Jordan	....	performer coordinator: Scotland and Kenya
Kay Larlham	....	production accountant: Canada
Luise Massari	....	production secretary: Canada
Brian McMillan	....	head animal trainer
Desmond Morris	....	creator: body language and gestures
Chris Nixon	....	unit publicity: Scotland and Kenya, David Novek & Associates
Wilma Palm	....	production comptroller
Barbara Shrier	....	production coordinator
Richard Alary	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Jean Christopher	....	script assistant (uncredited)
Norma Dell'Agnese	....	dubbing: "Ika" (uncredited)

Thanks
Wayne Drury	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for his support

Production Companies

• International Cinema Corporation (ICC) (as ICC International Cinema Corporation)
• Ciné Trail (co-production) (as ICC-Cine-Trail [Montreal])
• Belstar Productions (co-production) (as Belstar Productions/Stephan Films [Paris])
• Stéphan Films (co-production) (as Belstar Productions/Stephan Films [Paris])
• Gruskoff Film Organization (in association with) (as The Gruskoff Film Organization)
• Royal Bank of Canada (produced with the participation of)
• Famous Players Limited (produced with the participation of)

Distributors

• AMLF (1981) (France) (theatrical)
• Astral Films (1982) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (1982) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Toei Yoga (1982) (Japan) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (double feature with "Planet of the Apes")
• Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Another World Entertainment (2010) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
• KinoVista (2007) (Russia) (TV)
• Lume Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Suevia Films (2006) (Spain) (DVD)
• TF1 Vidéo (2005) (France) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2008) (Australia) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Abbey Road Studios  music recording studio (uncredited)
• Bellair Communications  foley
• David Novek & Associates  unit publicity: Canada, Scotland, Kenya
• Film Opticals  titles by (as Film Opticals, Toronto)
• Gentle Jungle  animals provided by: Canada
• Les Percussions de Strasbourg  music performed by
• London Symphony Orchestra, The (LSO)  music performed by
• Mary Chipperfield Promotions  animals provided by: Scotland and Kenya
• RCA Records  soundtrack
• The Ambrosian Singers  chorus (uncredited)

Also Known As:

"La guerre du feu" - Canada (original 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:AA (Ontario) | Denmark:15 | New Zealand:R13 (re-rating) | Australia:MA (re-rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Netherlands:16 | Peru:18 | 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:

International Cinema Corporation (ICC)

Trivia:

The cast was originally fitted for footwear, but this idea was nixed early in the production of this picture.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

[first lines]
Title Card:80,000 years ago, man's survival in a vast uncharted land depended on the possession of fire. / For those early humans, fire was an object of great mystery, since no one had mastered its creation. Fire had to be stolen from nature, it had to be kept alive - sheltered from wind and rain, guarded from rival tribes. / Fire was a symbol of power and a means of survival. The tribe who possessed fire, possessed life.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Riff Brothers (2010) (V)

"...and Prometheus said, 'Let me give you fire,' and humanity saw that it was good..."

A peaceful tribe of prehistoric humans, unable to create fire, loose their only source of flame due to another tribe's attack. Three of the tribe leave their home to search for a new source of fire to bring back to their people before the cold climate can take its toll. Their journey brings them not only into contact with other tribes of prehistoric humans at different stages of evolution but also advances their own humanity, as well as teaching them to be "prometheuses" in their own right.

An absolutely fascinating film. Those who are partial to history and anthropology will especially enjoy this. An honest, un-PC look at the origins of the species and the development of humanity through loss, tragedy, hardship, hostile elements and the beginnings of laughter, morality, community service, leadership, friendship and of course, love. A wondrous feat of body language performances as there is no truly discernible language/dialogue spoken. This is a well done, well made film all around.

For those into scenery gazing the beauty of the locations (Canada, Iceland, Kenya, Scotland) alone are worth a rental fee.

Ron Perlman is one of the three male leads/would be prometheuses. Watch the body language! Someone did research! A difficult and impressive (first movie) performance.

Definitely worth a buy (the DVD has two commentaries, one with the director Jean-Jacques Annaud, one with producer Michael Gruskoff, Rae Dawn Chong and Ron Perlman).