Quest for Fire (1981)

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

Director:

Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writers:

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

Stars:

Everett McGill, Ron Perlman, Nicholas Kadi

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Anthony Burgess created the primitive language for the early humans in this prehistoric adventure about a trio of warriors who travel the savanna, encountering sabre-toothed tigers, mammoths and cannibalistic tribes in search of a flame that would replace the fire their tribe has lost.

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Plot Keywords:

prehistory | tribe | survival | discovery | cavewoman | 

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Taglines:

Fourteen years ago, "2001: A Space Odysey" was the astounding epic that aroused a generation, telling them where they might be headed. Now, 20th Century Fox presents a science fantasy adventure that will arouse this generation, telling them where we might have begun.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada France

Language:

None French

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quest for Fire

Filming Locations:

Lions Head, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$20,959,585

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

€40,602,910, 31 December 1981

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Cinema Corporation (ICC), Ciné Trail, Belstar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Desmond Morris choreographed the gestural and body language of the characters.

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Goofs

In the first shot of the woolly mammoth opening its mouth, stubs of elephant tusks can be seen.

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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.

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Alternate Versions

All UK versions are cut by 8 secs and are missing a shot of a wolf on fire.

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Connections

Referenced in The Andromeda Strain (2008)

User Reviews

The best cave man movie ever!

Okay, there haven't been many cave man flicks and they were all bad except for Quest For Fire. Yes, the mammoths looked a bit like Mr. Snuffolopogus and some of the makeup jobs could've been done better but it's still a great movie.

The story line was captivating and the characters were well-developed. Even though there were no subtitles, I could still understand everything that was being said because of the way the movie was put together.

This flick has it all: Action, adventure, comedy, and romance. I loved it.