Quest for Fire Reviews

A fascinating look at what the life of early man may have been like, QUEST FOR FIRE stars Everett McGill, Ron Perlman, and Nameer El-Kadi as members of a prehistoric tribe, the Ulams, who are sent out to find fire after their only source is accidentally extinguished. They find another, barbarous tribe, the Ivakas, who to the amazement of the Ulams can create fire using flint and sticks. The three rescue Ika (Rae Dawn Chong) from the cruel Ivakas and take her along, with the secret of firestarting. The characters register humor, grief, happiness, anxiety, and other everyday emotions, creating realistic personalities that the audience can identify with. Desmond Morris, author of "The Naked Ape," created a body language for the film based on actual simian gestures, while famed novelist Anthony Burgess created a primitive language. Although occasionally bleak, the film affords many pleasurable moments, showing early man learning to laugh and expressing delight and amazement at the sight of fire. The film received an Academy Award for Best Make-Up.