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Quest for Fire
Stars:
Everett McGill, Rae Dawn Chong, Ron Perlman, and Michael Gruskoff
Writer:
Gerard Brach
Based
On The Novel By: J.H. Rosny, Sr.
Director:
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Feature
length: 100 minutes
Extras:
Commentary With Director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Commentary With Rae Dawn Chong,
Ron Perlman, and Michael Gruskoff, 15 Video Galleries With Director’s
Commentary, Featurette, Trailer
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 28
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1982/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Home
Video Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
“Quest
For Fire” is self-described as being a science fantasy adventure and I would
have to agree. From my understanding the four different tribes of humans
depicted in the film probably would not have existed at the same time
simultaneously, but since I am not a scientist, I can suspend my disbelief and
watch Everett McGill, Rae Dawn Chong, Ron Perlman, and Michael Gruskoff in this
archetypal odyssey like adventure that is very entertaining and at times
humorous. I mean the scene with the saber tooth tigers chasing our three
protagonists up a tree is funny because it is so human and primal at the same
time. Annaud taps into the nature of his subject matter unlike any other
director. While the makeup might not be up to speed with the modern makeup
effects we now have, there is something refreshing about the practical effects
and on location shooting, which went across Kenya, Canada, and Iceland, that
sets the film apart from today’s eye candy filled CGI epics.
Twentieth
Century Fox Home Entertainment’s DVD edition of “Quest For Fire” presents
the film in a good though somewhat grainy at times anamorphic widescreen
(2.35:1) aspect ratio. The widescreen visual compositions look beautiful on this
DVD. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack captures Philippe
Sarde’s epic score beautifully. English Captions and Closed Captions for the
hearing impaired are included and though the disc states French and Spanish
Language Subtitles are encoded as well as options, I found that only the English
Captions would appear when I would switch them on.
The
commentary with Rae Dawn Chong, Ron Perlman, and Michael Gruskoff is somewhat
humorous, but there are some points where they do not say much of anything. Far
better is Jean-Jacques Annaud commentary, which constantly gives screen specific
facts and anecdotes as if he were talking about “Quest For Fire” at a film
school seminar. His commentary is supported by 15 video galleries where he also
provides background information on the inspirations (4:07), locations in Iceland
(3:21), Kenya location (: 45), storyboards (2:44), inspirations for sets (1:00),
set design (2:39), prop design (: 48), casting and training (6:12), costumes
(2:49), make-up (7:16), Burgess’ Dictionary (2:26), the Mammoths (3:38),
behind-the-scenes shots (3:05), production shots (6:39), and promotion (2:19).
The
1982 featurette “Quest For Fire Adventure” (22:51) hosted by Orson Wells and
the (2.35:1) theatrical trailer (1.32) wrap up the extra features on this DVD.
The main menu is animated while the subsequent menus are standard interactive
still frames that are easy to navigate.
With
all of the background information included on the film, a good transfer, great
soundtrack, and the dynamite suggested retail price of only $14.98, which means
sales prices are lower, “Quest For Fire” is easy to recommend to anyone who
is curious about it and or likes the film already. “Quest For Fire” is
available on DVD-Video now from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Quest for Fire