Quest for Fire [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

 

 

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Jean-Jaques Annaud managed to produce one of the most original movies of the 1980s with his prehistoric adventure: Quest for Fire. He battled for years for the right to produce and direct this film; the reason being that the film executives didn't see the point of making a film about such an obscure era, especially one that had no English dialogue or ordinary narrative. But It's a great thing that they finally took the initiative to create this movie, as it really is an excellent film; the likes of which we will probably never see again.
The film tells the story of a Neanderthal tribe (The Ulam) who are attacked by their savage neighbours (The Wagabu). In the midst of a battle the tribe lose their cave home, but even worse, they lose control of their fire, an element they know how to tend but not how to produce. Faced with death through exposure to the cold environment; three of these Neanderthals set off on a quest in search of another source of fire, venturing off into unknown lands where they come across wild beats, bloodthirsty cannibals, and many other wonders and dangers.

The film looks absolutely brilliant, as a lot of time was devoted to searching for places on Earth that still had the touch of the primordial. From the woodlands and moors, to the swamps and the deserts, it feels like you're glimpsing at the world of 80,000 years ago.
The costumes and make-up are also very convincing; the Neanderthals look primitive, but not too backward as to be ridiculous. The other Hominids look great, especially the ape-like 'Wagabu' and 'Kzamm' tribes . Extra detail is produced with the human tribe (the 'Ivaka'), who have their own tribal body paints, technology and clothing.
Another thing that adds an air of authenticity to the film is the use of body language. The characters move and interact with each other in a primitive way, yet this strange body language isn't so odd that we don't understand what emotions they're conveying. If anything, the gestures and facial expressions make it more than clear what the characters are feeling. Still, there's only so much you can convey through gestures and that's where Anthony Burgess (of 'A Clockwork Orange' fame) steps in, with his invented "caveman" language. Despite having no subtitles, these are easy to understand. Usually, a strange language becomes a barrier for the viewer, but in Quest for Fire it becomes one of the film's attractions.
Despite the effort taken by the director to make the film feel authentic, it should be noted that it's not an accurate portrayal of the Palaeolithic era. But then again, which "Historical" film has ever been a faithful reconstruction?

One of the film's great touches is its humorous moments. There are many scenes that spring to mind, especially the fight between one of the protagonists and a cannibal. The expressions and grunts of the various cavemen also bring a comedic value to the film, which helps make the characters much more 'human'.

What makes this DVD worth getting is its great extra features. Usually older obscure films of this type never get an extra feature beyond a trailer. But this DVD has two film commentaries (one by the director, the other by the actors) an interview, a making of documentary and 15 video galleries with audio commentary.

All in all, this film might not be for everyone's taste, yet it's definitely worth watching.

Having first seen this film in the cinema, I have waited over 20 years for a DVD version.
The story is set in the world as it might well have been in prehistoric times. Although little can be certain of the actual daily life of the early inhabitants, the amount of research and care for detail of costume and body language as deduced is tremendous.
The story centres on the vital importance of fire. It grips the interest and imagination from beginning to end.
Equally fascinating is the additional gallery of commentary and photographs and film clips about the making of the film, which took 4 years in its production.

This DVD is in NTSC and coded to Region 1. You will need a multi-regional DVD player to view it. I ordered a Sony NS355 from Amazon, which played the DVD just as it were a European Region 2 DVD.

This movie by Jean-Jacques Annaud is highly recommended. Shot in the early 1980s and now a classic of sorts, it delineates the fate of a small Neanderthal tribe which has lost its most important possession, a torch of fire, in a fierce battle with some ape-like hairy creatures resembling Homo erectus (which actually didn't exist at the same time as the Neanderthals, one of the movie's many paleoanthropological blunders). Because they apparently only know how to use fire without being aware of how to make it, the tribe's three most capable warriors, portrayed convincingly by Everett McGill, Ron Perlman and Nameer El Kadi, set off on a trip to reignite the torch for their kinsfolk. On the journey they encounter a female Homo sapiens, played by the unforgettable Rae Dawn Chong. Some sort of culture shock takes place, as it begins to dawn on the Neanderthals that they are culturally and technologically inferior to their taller, leaner cousins. The big question is: will the Neanderthals be able to learn from their human cousins or are they doomed to die out?

The movie offers a uniquely imaginative story, marvellous landscapes partly shot in the Scottish Highlands and Kenya's savannah, an astonishing proto-human language developed by Anthony Burgess and spherical music forming a perfect backdrop to the epic story. Also, there is a 25 min. special feature about film production on the DVD, which is highly informative. This DVD is definitely worth your dough.

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3.0 out of 5 stars bizarrely violent prehistorical fiction
This film is a serious attempt at historical realism about human- and proto-human-societies way way back in history. Read more

Published 5 months ago by rob crawford

5.0 out of 5 stars Neandertal and Cinematic Revisionism
This film was memorable for me in that it helped shaped my views about the racist aspects of both mankind and cinema. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Anonimonia

5.0 out of 5 stars Quest for fire
This is one of my favourite films. My husband and I first saw it about 15 years ago and both really enjoyed it, so much so that I bought it a few years back. Read more

Published 8 months ago by H Mitchell

5.0 out of 5 stars Quest for Fire DVD
This film, although based on speculation as we can't be certain how they really lived in Stone Age times, intrigued me. Read more

Published 10 months ago by MRS R SIMPSON

2.0 out of 5 stars didn't set me alight
I remember seeing this film at the cinema when it first came out and laughing through most of it - whether scenes were meant to intentionally funny or not is debatable... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Simon A

4.0 out of 5 stars A noble, intelligent, if flawed, attempt to capture our distant past
Different primitive tribes interact 80,000 years ago trying to keep their fire alive so they don't freeze and starve. Read more

Published 13 months ago by K. Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a very nice movie
This is a very nice movie to be watched. Makes you think about where we all are from. I would highly recommend this movie for people who have a inquisitive mind.

Published on 13 Dec 2009 by Valeria Mizuno Turner

5.0 out of 5 stars quest for fire
Very pleased with the product. I film that I have seen 12 times. The best wilderness film I ever have seen

Published on 3 Sep 2009 by Jarle Olaussen

5.0 out of 5 stars Quest For Fire
This film was new to me and I had no idea what to expect .However I realy enjoyed it .As the title says it is all about fire and the struggle to have it for your tribe and to keep... Read more

Published on 11 April 2009 by peter thomas

4.0 out of 5 stars Timeless
I saw this when it first came out over 20 years ago, and I was suitably impressed. It was good then and it is good now. Read more

Published on 17 May 2008 by Paul Pinn

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