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.

---

Plot Keywords:

prehistory | tribe | survival | discovery | cavewoman | 

---

Taglines:

In the tradition of 'Star Wars' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' - A GREAT ADVENTURE

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History

---

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

The movie was originally intended to be completely filmed in Iceland. Australia and New Zealand were also considered.

---

Goofs

The movie is set 80,000 years ago, and they show the one tribe has made pottery. Fragments of ancient pottery found in southern China date back to only 20,000 years, making them the world's oldest known pottery.

---

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.

---

Alternate Versions

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

---

Connections

Referenced in The Quest for Fire Adventure (1982)

User Reviews

Very underrated.. one of my top 20 Favorites.

Many of my friends laugh at me when I mention this movie. I don't know what makes so many of them hate it so.. Perhaps the lack of understandable dialogue? Too much like thinking to understand what is going on? Whatever it is, I am one of the few I know who feel this is a very underrated movie.. I know it is not accurate from a scientific perspective... The time line is all messed up.. but so what? I sat there in the theater just thinking.. "suppose live in our distant past WAS something like this movie. Fire=Life=Fire. Along comes a superior tribe and I realize that I could summon the flames at MY WILL. How powerful I would feel.. Almost G-d like! The photography is lush and there is a tinge of humor when the backward tribe learns to laugh. I enjoyed the story and the acting... everything. Rent it! See it twice if you must. Just maybe... we ARE looking back at ourselves.