Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5512 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-25
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 96 minutes

Synopsis
During the Ice Age, the fire used by a clan of cavemen is extinguished during a battle. Subsequently, three members leave in search of new embers to renew their flame. This journey proves to be more event-filled than expected, however; for example, they rescue a young cavewoman from cannibalistic savages and she leads them to her tribe, where the trio learns the secrets of fire -- and love.

Customer Reviews

Very poor
Don't waste your money. A very poor film about cavemen running around trying to find fire. Its all uggs and grunts and the action isn't that terrific. There are a lot of better films out there.

Outstanding, clever movie still captivating the viewer
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.

A Classic Motion Picture on Region 2 DVD!!!!!
"Quest for Fire" has at last come out on DVD in Region 2 and I was more than happy to buy a copy from Amazon, as I had not seen the film since it's original release.

The film was great. It has lost none of its excitement and charm. In fact I think the film ages well like a fine wine. The performances are all excellent but for me the revelation was just how good Everett McGill was in the part of Naoh. His performance is superb and the binding force that lets you understand and enjoy the Film.

The DVD picture quality is great as is the sound. The extras are quite extensive as well. There is an informative and amusing commentary track by the Director. A separate commentary by the self-praising Rae Dawn Chong and the agreeable Ron Perlman, unfortunately they are not joined by Everett McGill. Jean-Jacques Annaud, the director of the film, is the star of the bonus material and luckily he is a very intelligent and an amusing raconteur.

There is a "Making of" documentary and more commentaries over production stills and location recce material.

The only question that seems to linger is the lack of references to Everett McGill or his wonderful performance. Ron Perlman is constantly praised and the story of his audition is often quoted and remarked upon, as is the discovery of Rae Dawn Chong.

During the directors commentary he remarks that another actor was cast as Naoh but left after disagreements with the movement coach. The director was forced to fly to America to cast the roll at short notice. That's it. Never is Everett McGill referred too directly or even praised. Everett McGill is the soul of the Film and holds it all together. He also got frostbite while crossing a freezing river in Scotland at the insistence of the demanding director, so does not that in itself deserve extraordinary and unbiased praise?