Quest for Fire

Jean-Jacques Annaud

R4 DVD

Umbrella Entertainment

Quest for Fire was quite an achievement for 1981, it coupled an artistic sentiment with a painstaking devotion to scientific accuracy and helped bring the prehistoric to life in a believable film experience. It avoided the excesses of earlier prehistoric films working for historical accuracy within the framework of a good story. Jean-Jacques Annaud spent long periods in pre-production research bringing in many scientists to advise in the development of the script. Desmond Morris, author of the Naked Ape, developed the unique hand gestures and signs and Anthony Burgess, a highly respected linguist and screenwriter, developed the unique “language” of the film. While today the special effects may have been provided by CGI, they still stand the test of time and the make-up is still very convincing, indeed it received an Academy Award nomination. The film itself won numerous awards including Best Film at the French film awards.

The Ulam tribe live well due to their unique possession of the gift of fire. They guard it jealously as it is a precious substance at the centre of their lives, but they still do not understand how to make it themselves. One day things drastically change when a more primitive tribe attacks and brutally decimates their number, moreover, extinguishing their cherished flame. Lost, injured and wandering in the wilderness, the tribe send three of their number on a quest to find and return with the spark of life which is the centre of their lives.

The journey to find the fire includes all manner of experiences from dangerous animals to cannibals, dealing with each other and other tribes. In the end they must not only gain the spark they seek but uncover the knowledge of how it is made.

This is quite a unique film in that it has no real dialogue and yet with a high quality classical soundtrack matched with superb surround sound creates a powerful experience. The character development and acting is solid (indeed this is the film that gave Ron Perlman his break) and the depictions of violence, sex and emotion are shown accurately if not somewhat graphically for the time.

The balance of science with filmmaking, unique soundscape and amazing landscapes filmed in Scotland, Kenya and Canada make this a beautiful and impressive film.

The quality of this DVD release is noteworthy, the DD5.1 surround sound is enveloping and creates a unique sound environment which really enhances the film experience. The picture is clear and without any discernable transfer problems, all in all, it is a superior quality release of a classic film.

The extras include two comprehensive commentary tracks by Director Jean-Jacques Annaud and by Cast Ron Perlman, Rae Dawn Chong and Michael Gruskoff. A Making Of documentary, an interview with director Jean-Jacques Annaud and a series of video galleries.