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

R  |   |  Adventure, Drama, History  |  12 February 1982 (USA)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 15,259 users  
Reviews: 93 user | 50 critic

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

Writers:

(screenplay) (as Gerard Brach) , (based on the novel by)
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Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Amoukar
Nicholas Kadi ...
Gaw (as Nameer El-Kadi)
...
Ika
...
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
...
Mikr - The Ulam Tribe
Michelle Leduc ...
Matr - The Ulam Tribe
...
Tsor - The Ulam Tribe
Edit

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. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A Science Fantasy Adventure.


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Quest for Fire  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(35 mm prints)| (70 mm prints)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

It took three years to get this movie financed, and a whole year to make. See more »

Goofs

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

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.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Real Thing (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Creation Of Fire
Conductor - Peter Knight
Orchestra - The London Symphony Orchestra
See more »

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User Reviews

 
The best cavemen movie ever!
7 June 1999 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

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.


61 of 70 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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100 things I learned from Quest for Fire noe112001
Initial Reactions upon release dizzyBallerina
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A movie without dialogue gia21ca
What species were all the hominids in the movie? aetheral_blood-1
what was great about this film, if you don't mind? tolchock
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