The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Michael Chapman

Writers:

Jean M. Auel (novel)
John Sayles (writer)

Release Date:

17 January 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

At the dawn of mankind, a woman led the way.

Plot:

A young Cro-Magnons woman is raised by Neanderthals.

Plot Keywords:

Neanderthal | Prehistory | Cave Bear | Cro Magnon | Stonepunk

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

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

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Australia:M | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Decade

Trivia:

A planned back-to-back sequel never made it into production.

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Andromeda Strain (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

HEROINE

It's OK, but somewhat commercial.

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.