Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
The Clan of the Cave Bear
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
4.8/10   2,421 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 17% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Michael Chapman
Writers:
Jean M. Auel (novel)
John Sayles (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Clan of the Cave Bear on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 January 1986 (USA) more
Tagline:
At the dawn of mankind, a woman led the way.
Plot:
A young Cro-Magnons woman is raised by Neanderthals. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
It's OK, but somewhat commercial. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Daryl Hannah ... Ayla
Pamela Reed ... Iza

James Remar ... Creb

Thomas G. Waites ... Broud
John Doolittle ... Brun

Curtis Armstrong ... Goov

Martin Doyle ... Grod
Tony Montanaro ... Zoug

Mike Muscat ... Dorv
John Wardlow ... Droog
Keith Wardlow ... Crug
Barbara Duncan ... Uka
Gloria Lee ... Oga
Janne Mortil ... Ovra

Lycia Naff ... Uba
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
98 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Company:
Decade more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A planned back-to-back sequel never made it into production. more
Quotes:
[last lines]
Narrator: Ayla walked with the Cave Bear. She had spoken out for Creb because she loved him. The sign had finally come. She understood the vision. Durc was of the Clan, and one day he would be their leader. She must find her own people. She must walk alone. Everything she had lived through had prepared her for this journey - and she was not afraid. For the first time Ayla felt the strength of her own spirit.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Andromeda Strain (2008) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
HEROINE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 15 people found the following comment useful:-
It's OK, but somewhat commercial., 15 March 2004
Author: Blueghost from the San Francisco Bay Area

It ain't "Quest for Fire," but does an OK job of getting it's story across. I've seen this film a couple of times, and am not really thrilled by it, but I also don't have too many criticisms of it either.

If I were to point my finger at one aspect of the film, an aspect that I thought was holding back a better movie, I'd have to place my finger on its direction. The actors are in earnest of their performances, and do their absolute best to give us a paleolithic saga, but the director points both story and performances to a high energy commercial film. For myself the performances, though genuine, aren't natural. They're forced, and that's no fault of the actors.

This combined with poor light design and mediocre cinematography really torpedos what could've been a better film. And for a film supposedly shot in 70mm every viewing I've ever seen has the film shaking in the gate a great deal. Not to mention the number of hot spots from reflectors bouncing sunlight onto the actors. The nail in the visual coffin is the color timing. The upside is that the location selected was quite impressive, though the film never conveys the geographic location it's supposed to be.

The notion of a blond haired beauty adopted into, quite literally, a low-brow tribe is fair enough. But the fact that she's "superior" and blond puts a wry knowing smile on this viewer's face. Then again it is Hollywood, so the sappiness is probably there by design. It's also somewhat ironic that a woman narrator, one with a seemingly African accent, helps convey the story of a blond heroine. It just seems silly to me.

I've never read the book, so I can't comment on the adaptation. However, I will say this; I found many of the plot points implausible, contrived, and just plain outright wrong, as well as disconnected from what is known, or at least believed to be understood, about our ancestors.

If you must see a caveman epic, then do yourselves a favor and pop "Quest for Fire" into the video machine of your choice. "Clan of the Cavebear" is watchable, but not overly great. I might call it an above average flick, but by no means exceeding.

Watch at your own risk.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I saw this last night... pretty good, but... Third-Age-Mage
How do you pronounce Ayla name? scullybird
If these are Neardenthals I'm The Bear. TangoFeroz
A blond Cro-Magnon? uhh_jh2001
A New Movie Should Be Made JohnnyDancer
DVD ERROR? jkapust
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
La guerre du feu Big Fish Brother Bear Songcatcher Across the Universe
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.