Let's talk about Quest For Fire (1982) - Some facts and opinions about the movie.

[@q45ij54q]

The scene in which the Ivaka tribe member makes fire in front of Naoh is, IMO, one of the greatest shots in cinematic history. You can feel Naoh's sense of wonder and awe as he watches the magic unfold.

[@koriw1701]

I totally agree with you! Everett McGill was utterly convincing and he literally looked like he'd never even seen fire before. I was surprised at the depth of character each one of these actors displayed in spite of all the pitfalls of the natural scenery.

[@zamlat8118]

Absolutely!

[@viarnay]

That scene is so good that I get excited too...😊

[@jasencee3884]

Agreed. Another stand out is Rae Dawns' character laughing at a funny moment with Noah's group. Laugh out laughter was such an alien concept to her companions.

[@GeeNoniGee]

I cry every time I watch that part, and have for over 40 years!

[@ruthp2545]

I loved this movie, and still do! It was so well done for its time, and so unique and thought-provoking. All the actors were wonderful in their portrayals, which had to be extremely hard to do with so little real dialog. Anyone who is interested in human history, sociology, archaeology, or human behavior should see this move, even if it has aged a bit over the last 40 years. Great review, thanks!

[@debbylou5729]

Interesting. I thought it was a train wreck. Totally unwatchable

[@peterolbrisch8970]

I loved how Robin Williams made fun of people who liked this movie. The blow job scene was hilarious too. 😂😂😂😂

[@mikef2811]

Agreed...still loved this show today.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

@@mikef2811 I liked the head part. Who knew? 😂

[@timothylongmore7325]

Just watched it again recently. Glad I did. Cool movie.

[@italianbirdvideos6190]

With all the criticism this movie gets, let me just say that seeing this movie in the theater as a 10 year old, sparked a life-long interest in archaeology, history, and science. I credit this movie with giving me that.

[@smgdfcmfah]

@DoStuff1958 "Trash"? Don't get me wrong, it's not appropriate for a 10 year old, but why do you call it "trash"?

[@ollieox9181]

@DoStuff1958 Why is it trash? It may not be factually/scientifically completely accurate, but as a piece of cinema, it's very good.

[@viarnay]

The movie is a masterpiece and the only one that takes prehistoric era seriously..

[@viarnay]

@DoStuff1958 It's a masterpiece dude so deal with it..

[@bee3line9]

I saw it at 10 as well, and it made me fall in love with cinema and what could be achieved, I loved the fact that I laughed my little ass off and it was so profound and it also sparked a life long interest in sociology, history, human behavior abd and film

[@ivoferin8176]

This is a Master piece. This is true cinema in its purest form of expression.

[@johnliller]

Legend has it that Ron Pearlman didn't need prosthetics for his role.

[@miles6910]

i was gonna say they used prosthetics to make him look more human. the guy who drops the fire did a performance of his miming at my jr high school in the mid 80's.

[@BrianMcKnight68]

Not a legend 🤣

[@albertchurchill4845]

I think he only needed a dental appliance.

[@dronefury]

I have the DVD with Ron and Ray-Dawn Chong doing commentary. Pearlman actually said one of the producers said that to him during auditions. (That he didn't need make up.)

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

His brain has become much more Neaderthal-like lately.

[@veranet99]

"Trafficking large women" Best phrase I've heard in a long time.

[@mithras5768]

Profits were huge!

[@fictitiousart6410]

Subarus at the drive thru

[@compactcasette]

Bertha Butt and Bathsheba Butt

[@JZsBFF]

One gets more lunches out of them for the same trouble, any cannibal will tell you.

[@koriw1701]

@@mithras5768🤣🤣

[@Nedski42YT]

I liked this movie. The funniest scene is when one of the guys sees the women of the tribe bending over a stream. The look on his face was priceless. If aliens from outer space want to see what humans are truly like they should see this movie and Idiocracy.

[@veranet99]

I know exactly the scene you reference. And its the most memorable to me. Also, totally agree on this and Idiocracy.

[@dickstryker]

Bruh😂

[@catinthehat906]

I remember seeing it- and when I saw the Armstrong and Miller caveman skits I thought of Quest for Fire straight away. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGaZlnSLeLl_pc0

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

I remember the scene. Saw it in the theater when it premiered. When the scene rolled, I could only think about the 10 yr old sitting with his parents in front of me…

[@bh8365]

I remember a friend and myself referencing that scene at the stream.

[@genghiskhan7041]

One of my favorite movies. The scene where Noah sees the guy create fire is magical.

[@joncathcart1118]

That scene always stuck with me. I'm surprised it wasn't shown here. It was the heart of the story.

[@genghiskhan7041]

@@joncathcart1118 Everett McGill played Noah perfectly, he was awestruck. It was a spiritual moment for him.

[@jameslacey5474]

That scene was great, with the expression of the primitive man, his mind is clearly blown away by the process of making fire. Awesome stuff.

[@PeachysMom]

The Prometheus moment.

[@margaretphillips4894]

I also love that ultimately it's the girl who succeeds in making fire for Naoh's tribe

[@markadams7046]

I saw it back in the day and I enjoyed it. Remarkable for film that has no comprehensible dialog. The action keeps your attention.

[@jimsilvey5432]

A friend of mine learned to speak at least some of this language.

[@luisdotespinal]

I would think the dialog was mostly visual and emotional. That's what made this movie priceless. I could *feel* for the characters.

[@GamerDog2024]

I agree. No discernible language (I did learn atra/artra and Wagaboo after watching it several times), but I love this movie. It is a great adventure movie.

[@misterangel8486]

The ending always warms my heart♥️ One of the best movies about humanity ever in my personal opinion. I rewatch it every year.

[@bmuchgood35]

I agree - The last scene reminds me that we are looking at the same Moon today that people have looked at for many generations.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

Yeah, the two of them looking up at the moon, and I realized we had finally made it there. I was so young then.

[@Estenberg]

I was actually invited to a Director's Q&A trial-preview of "Quest for Fire" in 1981, where we were given Promo materials, including an amazing Glossary-Booklet of the Languages that Anthony Burgess created, as well as a pictorial chart of the Gestures used for the Homo-Sapien's Primitive Communications. Then later, coincidentally, I studied Improvisation with Gary Schwartz (the buck-toothed fire-shaman who lost the sacred flame). Dan Castellaneta was in Gary's class too. I also acted in a movie with 'Nameer El-Kadi' who played the surviving twin, and later in a movie with 'Rae Dawn Chong', whose dad I met on the set. So not only is 'Quest for Fire' the Best 'caveman' film ever made, but for me personally, it holds a very special place in my heart.

[@koriw1701]

You are a lucky man. I'd have loved to have been involved to that extent early on in the feature.

[@jackspinner4727]

Yea and monkeys fly out of my butt

[@peterbrouwers3960]

I watched it with friends when it first came out in 1981. I was very critical about the authenticity, before I went in. The moment Ron Perlman catches the big moth and puts it in his mouth and chews away, I was blown away. I slumped down in my seat and went with the ride. I rewatched it just now and was deeply moved by the acting, all the detail and work they put in to make it as authentic as possible. It’s up there with the very best.

[@bradical6019]

Im 44 years old. Just watched this film for the first time. Ridley Scott said this was his top 4 films. I really enjoyed it !

[@DanaReiman]

i REMEMBER seeing the film in the theater. I still think it is one of the best films made.

[@AcademyNS]

Do you think maybe novelist Jean Auel saw this movie and then thought yeah, but what if they were SEXY?

[@erynlasgalen1949]

​@@AcademyNSOh, Lord, and then she wrote a perfect Mary-Sue.

[@gokub1975]

I took some acid and watched this maybe 5 years ago and was fascinated and blown away. Then watched it sober just in case it wasn't as good as I was thinking. Honestly this is in my top 3 movies of all time and have watched several times since.

[@arizenation3188]

How difficult was it? I might do that same thing

[@davidascher1801]

Wonderful film! I saw it first run with my best buddy Farkey. Some weeks later on a wilderness trip, paddling back to camp in a canoe loaded to the gunwales with collected firewood and emulating Quest for Fire characters at the top of our lungs, we rounded a headland ...To our surprise there was a very proper family quietly fishing in a runabout.They looked terrified as they had no doubt heard us coming for a while...I'll never forget the look on their faces...Alas my good friend is long gone and I am left with fond memories of our youthful exuberance and camping trips in the wilds of Lake Superior .Thanks for reminding of these great times so long ago...

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

I know some people who went to see "Chariots of Fire", and mistakenly went to see "Quest for Fire". They took their kids. The kids giggled at the nude scenes, and the parents were stunned into silence. When they told me what happened, I have never laughed that hard before, or since. I thought it was a very good movie when I came out, and I saw both Quest for Fire and Chariots of Fire.

[@Zaphod771]

Those are two very different movies 😂

[@koriw1701]

That story warms the cockles of me heart. Thanks for a great laugh.

[@smgdfcmfah]

Reminds me of a VERY old school Dutch immigrant I knew back in the day (very similar to my own parents by more religious and less of a sense of humor). He lived in a small village but came down to the city to work for my dad for a time and decided to go to the movies a couple times for something to do. The two films he saw that summer were what he thought was a serious film called "Zorro: The Gay Blade" and then what he thought was a documentary called "History of the World". I don't think the guy ever went to the theater again as long as he lived!

[@bobchurch6175]

@@smgdfcmfah I knew a religious group that had a movie night for teenagers once a week and thought renting "Personal Best" was a great idea. What could go wrong with an uplifting sports movie? It was definitely "uplifting" for some of the teens.

[@TwoFourFixate]

“I thought it was a very good movie when I came out, [. . .]” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . ¿Was it very difficult when you came out? . . . . .

[@jeffreygolden5491]

Saw this movie when it came out in the theaters. It’s still one of my favorite movies today. Nothing like it before or after. Left you wondering how hard life was if you even survived past childhood.

[@williamtayloe3624]

It is my favorite movie of all time. I've watched it several times over the years. Nothing compares to it.

[@timothylongmore7325]

Have you seen Iceman? Almost as great. Better in some ways.

[@Zed-fq3lj]

'Alpha' also is worthy of watching

[@JayB.USMC.]

I watched it as a young man and then this year again at 56 years old. I had forgotten how shocking and amazing this movie was. I remember thinking life was pretty rough 80,000 years ago! Great movie 🎥 ❤️

[@cjalexanderjr8811]

I watched this in the theater when I was 15 years old. I was interested in anthropology at a young age. It was a relief for me to watch a movie based somewhat on reality (at least what was known in 1982) and not watching cavemen fighting dinosaurs.

[@koriw1701]

I know, right? I was so excited to hear that "The" Desmond Morris was doing part of the interpretation of their languages. I had graduated high school the year before and was considering a degree in anthropology at the time. (Altho I became a nurse instead) Part of me still feels a little like an amateur anthropologist because I'm such a people watcher and have been endlessly taking courses in psychology and human ethology

[@mikebasil4832]

I liked how Orson Welles called Quest For Fire a Star Wars in reverse which in retrospect it certainly feels like. The cast did an amazing job and especially Rae Dawn Chong as Ika.

[@bmagrill]

Went to the opening of this in the theatre in Toronto back in the day. Standing in line behind my friends and I was one of the actors. He rightly complained about not even getting a free ticket. He had to pay like everyone else and stand in line outside for 2 hours.

[@Russell-hd1pm]

26 when i saw it in the cinema in Toronto & live there still! WHAT CHARACTER WERE YOU?

[@sparXKuijper]

I almost cried too , when a certain bit of knowledge was passed on 😃

[@andrewseary]

The scene where the quester sees how fire is made - and it is essential to their lives - is literally awe-inspiring and always brings a tear to my eyes.

[@Darth_Conans]

Missionary?

[@melaniesmith1313]

It was a great movie, very underrated.

[@caryrogers9676]

This is one of my all-time favorite films. I saw this back when I was in high school, and have watched it several times since. Glad someone finally made a KZbin episode about it.

[@miturbinizdurdy]

Fantastic movie. Everyone should see it at least once. I've seen it many times as a kid and will probably see it again.

[@volgawolfhounds741]

I watched this in theater, opening night. They gave us a brochure that explained everything, and provided images. I was 19. It was amazing.

[@RJ420NL]

I liked Quest for Fire. I've watched it many times over the years.

[@BobbyBronco]

Ron Perlman's facial expressions are priceless as is Everett McGill's reaction to the fire starter. Excellent movie.

[@pierretanguay2527]

I was a Canadian traveler in London. I didn’t know what to expect from this movie when I walked into the theater. I was instantly captivated by this film. When I realized that the film was made in Canada with certain actors including a Quebec producer, Denis Héroux, I was very proud of this film. Later I became a history teacher and I often showed it to my students. Of course I understood that there were certain errors and certain historical liberties in the film but it was able to give a taste for the study of history to several of my students and of that too I am very proud. Unfortunately because of the scenes of violence I could no longer use this film today to teach and I am all the more happy and lucky to have been able to teach at that time.

[@mathewwallis2863]

It was extremely thought-provoking to me, as an 18 year old in 1981. And on the heels of movies like Altered States, Quest for Fire sent me down a rabbit hole of spiritual discovery. For this reason alone, I will forever love this movie! As a side note, I have to say Rae Dong Chong's character brought out the most primal of urges in me. 🙄

[@caidyc]

Thank you for all the information regarding this great film. It was banned in several countries including Ireland where I am from due to nudity and the sex scenes. We all took the boat to England to see it. It should be rereleased.

[@ablacknambercat]

Was it? I watched in the cinema in Thurles on release. Maybe they never got the memo.

[@thomasmoshier3920]

My dad absolutely loved this movie. It was one of the first movies we watched on our VCR. I was always surprised Rae Dawn Chong didn’t have a bigger career as an actor. No real dialogue yet the story kept you captivated from start to finish.

[@brianfinlay5817]

I remember the buzz for this movie being it was the first to win categories of Academy Awards despite having no dialog. I saw this three times on cable back in the day, 1983-1985ish, and it was soon forgotten. I remember it vividly because it was one of those movies where you never saw anything like it and hadn't since even after all these decades.

[@alfredhernandez9799]

When I saw it was amazed at the beauty of the locations and the detailed world building. Highly recommended.

[@jonathan45278]

I was going to say that I loved this film, then realised I have never seen it yet. I got this film mixed up with 'Clan of the Cave Bear', starring Darryl Hannah.

[@Brian-uy2tj]

You need to see "Quest For Fire" Quest for fire has something to say about where we came from. It may be speculation and yes, it takes some liberties but it does so for the overall betterment of the movie.

[@timothylongmore7325]

You are in for a treat. Check out Iceman. Just as epic.

[@koriw1701]

Oh boo hiss! Cave bear was such a piece of chit! Totally ruined the story in the books (although Jean M. Auel did a pretty good job of 'ruining the books' from the second half of 'Mammoth Hunters' onwards)

[@timothylongmore7325]

@@koriw1701 Yeah , she had a great imagination but terrible writter. Cool how her character was responsible for almost every human achivement. I did only read one of her books.

[@ollieox9181]

I tried to like Cave Bear but it just didn't work. Waste of time and talent.

[@mibeatleman6767]

I recently found this in my local record store and picked it up. I haven't seen it since it came out in the 80's, very unique film.

[@felixgraphx]

Loved this movie as a kid, and still do! It showed me that movies could be about totally varied and out-there subjects!

[@uktenatsila9168]

Excellent film! I have a degree in archaeology. Quest for fire took a fictional approach toward fleshing out some thoughts in anthropology. Thank you for the video.

[@VARIABLENEWSNETWORK]

The scene where he learns to make fire I think is one of the greatest movie scenes ever. It is so emotional and I think Everett McGill pulled it off! Great movie.

[@isabellegroleau9672]

Soundtrack was mesmerizing. When she shows them how to make fire it is such a powerful scene.

[@lumberpilot]

I think the actual stone age people were not filthy but cleaned themselves just like any animal in the wild. If you observe animals, they all clean and wash themselves throughout the day. Even if you compare chimps with the people depicted in the movie, the chimps seem way more hygienic.

[@sid7088]

North American natives were stone age people and bathing was an integral part of their lifestyle.

[@jameswright4640]

Watching what people thought the past was like is just like watching what people thought the future would be like. More a product of our own time than anything else. Love this movie!

[@pacodance29]

not all. Apache were pretty filthy (says one of Apache ascendance.) Never bathed, never cleaned their wickiups except when moving them when they got too dirty. When water is scarce, it ceases to be a priority to bathe.@@sid7088

[@JL-ze5qm]

Makes sense. But, I think it depends on climate demands. Inuit peoples used to smear their bodies in animal fat to keep warm. Other nations might cover their skin in mud to repel mosquitos and other seasonal predatorial insects.

[@corilia9529]

Well swimming in good water helps as they hadnt invented soap yet😊

[@annalieff-saxby568]

About a year ago I bought this on DVD (I'd seen the theatre release) and was surprised at how well it stood up over all the years. It's amazing how emotionally affecting the sight of an excessively hairy man rolling about in a pile of straw can be.

[@kaduisaui4596]

I cried for him

[@edgalaxie]

I loved this movie when I saw it in the theater, and I still do! One of my favorites. It was very experimental and edgy at the time. Though our knowledge of primitive humans have rendered a lot of this movie antiquated, it's still a good watch. One change I've noticed over the years is the timeframe: the movie originally was set 40,000 years ago, now it's 80,000 years ago, which is more accurate.

[@impudentdomain]

200,000 would be more accurate

[@colletteseders2874]

This is a movie I have loved for decades. I used to rent it often. My husband never got into it, and made fun of me every time I would rent it. A great movie! Certainly it shows the importance of fire to our early peoples.

[@anorthosite]

I had studied paleoanthropology shortly before this movie came out. I thought it was the Ulam representing Neanderthals (hence the casting, and facial prosthetics). At least some of advanced Ivaka tribe (apparently - hard to tell with the face and body paint) was cast with actors of recent African/semi-African descent, perhaps to be consistent with the "out of Africa" model for the origin of modern Homo sapiens. I figured the "Wagabu" raiders represented more primitive Homo erectus, which had spread into Eurasia long before Neanderthals and early moderns. They had (on average) smaller brains than Neanderthal and early-modern, likely used fire, but probably had reduced body hair, and were Much less apelike than depicted in the movie. The Kazam cannibal tribe is anybody's guess, but also looked primitive, or maybe even inbred - something that has also been documented in the genomes of some Neanderthals. The movie is interesting in that it depicts 4 species/subspecies of hominin living as contemporaries. By 80,000 years ago, H erectus (and all their predecessors) were likely gone. But early moderns, Neanderthals, (maybe) Denisovans and the more recently discovered H floresiensis ("Hobbit") overlapped in time, then.

[@jeanmorin3247]

I certainly remember where missionary was discovered, but overall I thought at the time that the movie was a masterpiece. Even today, I marvel at the ingenuity, the dedication that the actors and staff showed, and generally, the a very effective storytelling was conveyed mostly through a very accented body language and facial expression that had obviously been studied and planned meticulously. I would love to see it again at full.

[@dannichols6261]

The LOOK on his face as she turns around! (But he does keep going anyway!)

[@paul6925]

I love this movie. The tree scene is so funny in a dark way. Kinda proud it’s from my country since we don’t seem to make as many good movies as we used too.

[@GeeNoniGee]

I saw this movie when it came out, when I was 10 years old, and it was PHENOMENAL!! To this day I still cry when he cries in amazement! For it's time, the makeup and special effects were flawless. Finding out DECADES later, that Anthony Burgess wrote the languages blew my mind.

[@RommelsAsparagus]

My childhood friend Jessie G. and his older brother were extras cast for walking around, and have a scene or 2. Jessie was was about 11 at the time. BTW the Inuit are what Canadians used to call "eskimos". One Inuk, two Inuk, three Inuit. They now have their own territory in NE Canada called Nunavut, with its capital Iqualuit. So, they are not "Indians", what we call First Nations. Traditionally they live above the tree line near ocean coasts. I watched this with my uncle on VHS when I was 14 and my aunt complained that Rae Dawn Chong wasn't wearing any clothes. I told her, "she's wearing paint!". My uncle agreed, "Yeah, she's wearing paint." They were both Americans without Quebec sensibilities. They ended up divorcing. :D

[@nobodynothing00000]

I have traveled past that part of the world. I was astonished to realize how close some of the Japanese, First Nations and old school native americans (before they mixed with the whites) resembled each other.

[@ollieox9181]

I remember, way back when, my mother had seen this film and she was griping: "Little girl running about without a stitch of clothing!" LOL! That, of course, was more than enough to get the teenage me rushing to the theatre. It's not erotic or anything like that. But it was still a fun film.

[@LeonBerrange]

I watched this when it first came out, and always remembered it. Today I was watching a doccy about early use of fire, and thought to watch the movie again. I really enjoyed it, what a brilliant film. Enjoyed your comments too, thank you.

[@discojelly]

This probably wasn't the best film for me to see when I was 8 years old..lol..I think my mom regretted it probably before half way through the movie, but, it ignited my interest in the paleolithic world. Looking back on it, this movie pulled off some great FX in a time of zero cgi or even a green screen. I think there's a lot more known about the different tribes and human like ancestors than back in the 80s. This is one of those movies that if it got remade, it would have a much solid story. But none the less its one of those classics from my childhood past. ( Note: Please don't let your child watch this lol ) Other than that, from a film maker stand point, it was well done.

[@bogtrottername7001]

@floridaman5125Most likely.

[@MakerInMotion]

Rae Dawn Chong was naked except for body paint the whole movie. I don't know how I was allowed to watch it. Body paint is a kind of loophole I guess. It tricks moms and twitch moderators alike.

[@joepeach997]

I can't say enough good things about this movie. It truly is a time machine and humans are exactly the same now as they were in the past. If you are the least bit inquisitive about those that started it all, don't miss this gem, it's that good!

[@softdorothy]

There aren't enough of these films. A shame that there's really only the one that rises to this level of realism and sincerity.

[@WireHedd]

An absolute classic. A super top notch cast as well.

[@rgnyc]

Nice review of a film that I enjoyed and had forgotten about over the years - thanks!

[@hubriswonk]

Amazing movie that is so much deeper than most anyone realizes and the acting is superb.

[@earthknight60]

My big frustration with this movie is that everyone is portrayed as being *way* too primitive for the time frame. Having a background in anthropology and working in primate conservation and environmental change means I've been keeping up on the literature and advances in knowledge of our ancestors and relatives, and I was doing so even as a pre-teen when this movie came out. Now, we have absolutely learned a nearly unfathomable amount about this time period since this movie was made, but even at the time it played into troupes that were already known to be archaic and wrong.

[@JaymeSplendid]

I felt the same way with the movie Conan The Barbarian. There was NEVER once a group of people who worshipped a deity called 'Crom' nobody was able to turn into snakes back then and nobody grew trees of woe. In regards to the movie "Quest For Fire', I think SOMEONE failed to see the tag line within the film poster, boxart and media that stated "A Science *FANTASY* " but I just can't recall who.... Edit: I'll let you know when the person I'm thinking about but yet can't seem to recall comes to me...

[@avenuePad]

@@JaymeSplendid I guess you don’t know that Conan isn’t meant to be an accurate depiction of human history. Conan is fantasy. It has magic and mythical creatures.

[@daveruda]

yeah should have added another zero to the timeframe and it would be more accurate probably

[@charleshite7944]

Since it wasn't marketed as a historical documentary I see know problem. Very few movies accurately reflect the time period they represent. The effort put into the costumes and utilizing natural scenery gave it a feel of authenticity. The various tribes seemed to be from different stages of human development. Watched it a few times. 👍👍👍

[@p.bckman2997]

The film is based on a 1911 book. Back when it was written, the only known finds of early humans were Neanderthals (Gibraltar 1 and Neaderthal 1), _Homo erectus_ (the Java finds) and Cro-Magnon. These three are roughly the three groups we see in the film. In the book, the Ulams come across a large, furry herbivorous tribe, which to the Ulams astonishment leave them in peace. They are likely meant to be gorillas.

[@pokerluckbox2063]

I think it was one of the most hilarious movies I've ever seen! I saw it while on vacation in Los Angeles. Since there was no dialogue I provided it. The three main characters were Moe Larry and Curley. The audience must not have minded, they were all laughing and nobody came and told me to shut up.

[@davidbriggs7365]

I both loved this movie and own a copy on DVD. One piece of trivia that I saw in the theatrical release. Near the beginning of the movie, when the enemy tribe makes their attack by sending a landslide down onto the hero's, you can see a car or truck tire bouncing down the hill along with the rest of the detritus. It's not visible in the DVD version that I own, but it was definitely there (and I saw the movie at least twice in the theater).

[@carrieanneggert5186]

I watched this movie sometime in the late 80's as a pre-teen and loved it. After watching it maybe twice it became difficult to find and I was unable to see it again...until now! It brought back so many great memories...so thanks for that...and for also providing some unknown trivia. 😊❤

[@FilmmakerReactions]

The best prehistoric film ever made..... that is until I finally shoot my own prehistoric themed film, GREAT HUNTER.

[@bogtrottername7001]

Go for it. There is an audience waiting !

[@GeoHvl]

I saw this on HBO in the early 80s. It was so good. Robin Williams said What a great documentary, referring to people who watched it while on Cocaine. My wife, an RN, pointed out all the women have shaved legs.

[@kelsowins]

Have loved this film for years. Somehow did not see it at its original release, but followed up with it later and was not disappointed. The natural aspect of the entire production, no special effects, is most impressive. The primitive language(s) developed for it, also a high benchmark. And yes, you do care about each person in the film! Thanks for all the behind-the-scenes details here, Cliff, they surely enrich my appreciation for the film even further.

[@Warsie-Fan]

Awesome movie 👍 First time I saw Ron Pearlman. They filmed some of the scenes on my Indian reservation Cape Croker. Some guys even got roles as extras. So cool!

[@Snuffy03]

Love this film. A classic.

[@paulwalsh2344]

Groundbreaking really !... I mean a movie without any commonplace modern language that conveys so much information ! ? I agree with whoever said it that this is a movie that everyone should see at least once. And even though it's not completely accurate... it is very compelling and thought provoking !

[@t.miranda176]

This was one my dad’s favorite movies ever. He was 20 when it came out and saw it in a crusty old cinema in Guatemala (it is now a Walmart lol). He said the that it was one of the most amazing movies ever. We stumbled on a DVD in a thrift store when I was a teenager and WOW. He was right! Amazing! Sadly, that DVD is lost, and haven’t found the movie in any streaming service.

[@karoltakisobie6638]

I wish there were more movies like this made. Our knowledge of our own prehistory is large enough to hypothesize how we lived and coexisted with other human species like Neanderthals.

[@jameslacey5474]

It would be great to see one on how they came up with the wheel.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

This movie is awesome. You would never see anything anywhere near this ambitious in a movie theater today.

[@JosephKeenanisme]

Under rated classic that could never get made today. Today's audiences need their hands held through a whole movie and need to have everything explained to them like a little kid watching a Dora the Explorer cartoon.

[@gregbors8364]

IKR, everything sucks these days because I’M OLD!!!

[@scottfitzpatrick1939]

As Ghostbusters 10 is in theaters right now full of endless unfunny quipping dialog and fast talking inbetween CGI bukakkes. Yes I miss the 80's

[@oleandersen2228]

This is a great movie, and I Iike it very much. Have seen it in theaters, and now watch it regularly on DVD.

[@Hanover_Fist]

Very Very entertaining and inspiring. I saw it at original release and about 20 years later. The latter copy had been edited for nudity and length. That destroyed much of the angst/tension of the original. Now it is darn near impossible to find.

[@chrisinhotwater9896]

When I first saw this movie I thought it was a Jethro Tull music video.. J/K, But really at the time it seems to portray what was the most realistic version of we know of cave men at the time.

[@darrinwebber4077]

Great flick. One of my top 10 favorites.

[@The_Hagseed]

Most of the Alien vs Predator novels have zero dialogue. I've had multiple conversations over the years about how they need an AvP more like the books and always get the same response, "A movie won't work unless it has dialogue." Every time, I bring Quest for Fire up and how good of a movie it is.

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

Filming location for the caves scenes @2:00 was at Greig's Caves in Lion's Head, Ontario. I actually visited the caves about ten years ago while on vacation up in the Bruce Peninsula. I didn't even realize it was filmed there until a few years later, lol.

[@robertrobert7924]

I saw this film in the Theater. I loved it. It was also one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. As an Anthropologist, I recommended it to all my friends.

[@OptionalZero]

I had to watch this because I grew up with this film in the background of my childhood. Some channel or other was often playing it. Even saw the uncensored version as a kid which just made it more intense; no memories of being surprised at the nudity. Just the scenes listed, tree, bear attack, guy dropping fire in water, and MANY others. It really was and still is a film all it's own. Worth a watch for anyone wanting to study film and cinematography. And great proof of the strength of practical use of both versus the constant mediocrity of CGI EVERYTHING.

[@glenmale1748]

A masterpiece of story-telling. Modern Hollywood could learn an awful lot from this movie.

[@alexismontalban515]

THANK YOU! Finally some ink on this great movie. One of my all-time favorites. Vastly underrated.

[@BanthaPooDoo64]

This has been a favorite of mine since the 80’s and I’ve had this film in my movie collection over 3 decades and I still enjoy watching it at least 2 to 3 times a year best early man film made in film history

[@bentbilliard]

I have seen it a long time ago, in the early 90's and forgotten all about it until I saw this video today. I remember this movie very well considering I haven't thought about it for 30 years. It was great back then and seems to hold up very well. Thanks for bringing it up!

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Great review! I love this movie! The story and performances are great! I think the film makers saved a ton of money on not having to do makeup effects on Ron Perlman. He already looked like a caveman.

[@cliffdiveintomovies]

Thanks. I love this movie, too. In the DVD commentary, the director says that when he saw Ron Perlman, he thought he looked perfect for the movie.

[@richardthompson6366]

I was 13 when the movie came out and saw it for the first time, though it was great then and still do now.

[@Thagomizer]

This movie is so underrated. The anthropology is a little hard to figure out, but my own theory is that the Ivaka tribe are modern Homo sapiens, while the Ulam and Kazaam are Homo neanderthalensis, and the Wagabu are Red Deer cave people, or possibly surviving Homo erectus.

[@ciaopizzabella]

This movie was shown in my primary school class, as if it were a documentary on prehistoric humans. I then forgot about it completely for a few decades until I coincidentally saw the iconic tree-tiger scene again. I instantly remembered it and the whole thing came back to me. It has been one of my favorite movies ever since. I have always wondered why not more big production movies about prehistoric people have been made. I don't think the lack of a known language and less attractive looking people will offset the interest (if not fascination) humans might have for their origins.

[@johnsteiner3417]

I always understood that the main tribe, the Ullum were the neanderthals and that other groups were just other hominids of indescript taxa.

[@brettcoster4781]

That's how I've always read it, with the Ullam as Homo Neanderthalis (maybe, today Denisovians) and the Aanat were the Homo Sapiens. Other tribes may have represented Homo Habilis or Homo Erectus. The story I think makes better sense then, and conforms to the present theories about the intelligence and capabilities of both Neanderthals and Denisovians, and the mixing of all 3 types (Sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovians) to give us our present forms. I've always thought that this was a great movie, which I probably need to rewatch on my old DVD.

[@johnsteiner3417]

@@brettcoster4781 That it felt like a documentary was its best aspect.

[@Slokkatron]

Oh, wow. I only recently thought of this film, but couldn't for my life remember its name as I saw it in the early nineties on television. Thank you for the review and all the nostalgia it unleashed! 😊

[@camojoe83]

Aw shit, i wondered when the internet would discover this movie. I watched it when it came out as a kid that was super into prehistoric stuff.. It was *enlightening* to say the least to my 11 year old mind.

[@MrRunner]

In 1981 I was in a motel room in LA, my family in Canada. I was tired and lonely, so I watched Quest for Fire. THEN I SAW IT. A mountain looked very familiar and the penny dropped. It was Lochnagar, in the Cairngorms, Scotland, where I spent my childhood. Instant homesickness, Never forgot this excellent movie.

[@BlueWingedRino]

They still have proto 80’s hairstyle.

[@Brian-uy2tj]

Quest for fire is one of my all time favorite movies. It is so well done, a great, great movie.

[@rogervandusen8361]

It's an excellent film as a portrayal of paleolithic timws. The cannibal tribe is accurate and based on the evidence found on ancient human remains. The hairy subhumans are cool, but the main tribe look more like modern depictions of Neanderthals.

[@bubbuddoo]

You floored me with "... trafficking in large women." incredulous comedy gold sir!

[@garychambers6848]

It was so realistic is because a real Neanderthal ( Perlman) starred in the movie....

[@dillonhillier]

😂😂😂

[@paul6925]

lol his real face is how I always picture Neanderthals having looked like

[@dillonhillier]

@@paul6925 obviously

[@paul6925]

@@dillonhillier obviously what?

[@dillonhillier]

@@paul6925 Ron pearlman is a Neanderthal and looks like one

[@aarenmyatt4509]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie when I first watched it. I thought it was a great showcase of where we came from and left so much to think about when it finished.

[@GLRAKER]

One of my all-time favorites too. I thought one of the fellas was shown how to make friction fire while captured. They seemed to have learned a few new moves from the "large women" as well. Also, the tree the fellows climbed to escape the cat was covered with leaves to start with. The next morning they had all been eaten by the trio of hungry fire hunters. I thought that was priceless.

[@TheVid54]

I saw the film in 70mm at the Glenwood Theatre in Kansas City at time of its US release. The cinematography by Claude Agostino is magnificent and the locations are amazing. Also notable is the music score by Philippe Sarde, which includes a beautiful, melodic love theme. Some brief cuts have been made to the film since releasing it for home screenings. The French blu-ray that I found seems to be fully intact and looks very good.

[@larryniv]

We have to respect the effort of these people in bringing us to this world.