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:

prehistoric times | rear entry sex | hunting | sex in missionary position | fire | 

---

Taglines:

A Science Fantasy 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

David Prowse was among the English performers who auditioned.

---

Goofs

There are serious errors in the depiction of certain species: 1) The species of humans in the main tribe are supposed to be Homo Sapiens, but they resemble Neanderthals much more closely (Ron Perlman looks like a Neanderthal even without the makeup). 2) Homo Sapiens weren't in Europe 80,000 years ago - they were still making their way out of Africa. 3) The tribe they are attacked by are supposed to be Neanderthals, but they're some sort of hairy ape-creature that had been extinct for over one million years before this film is set (80,000 years ago). 4) There were no saber-toothed cats in Europe at any time. Saber-Toothed cats evolved in North America, then spread to South America during the Great American Interchange (when the Isthmus of Panama rose from the sea and connected North and South America). There *were* very large cave lions (Panthera Spelea) in Europe, but they had the regular dentition of modern African lions (Panthera Leo).

---

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.

---

Connections

Spoofed in Family Guy: And I'm Joyce Kinney (2011)

User Reviews

The best cavemen movie ever!

This is an extremely overlooked film many people should learn about. First, it tells you a very complex story without a single line of dialog successfully.

Second, the story is universal: Every civilization on earth can pick up this film and understand it, because it goes to the most basic, primitive issues of a species (mainly, survival). Third, it makes the beginning of man interesting. Fourth, it reminds us we were once as savage as any other animal on earth.

Fifth, it's like no other movie you've seen before. That one I can guarantee you.