The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
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10% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(6,675 ratings)
Cinematographer Michael Chapman directed this John Sayles adaptation of Jean M. Auel's best-selling ode to Cro-Magnon women. The story begins at the moment in pre-history when the last of the Neanderthal men were becoming extinct and the superior race of Cro-Magnons were starting to supersede… More Cinematographer Michael Chapman directed this John Sayles adaptation of Jean M. Auel's best-selling ode to Cro-Magnon women. The story begins at the moment in pre-history when the last of the Neanderthal men were becoming extinct and the superior race of Cro-Magnons were starting to supersede them. Focusing on a tribe of wandering Neanderthals who adopt a young girl named, Ayla (played as an adult by Daryl Hannah). She grows tall, lithe, and smart. The Neanderthals quickly accept her into their tribe, but once a tribal member, Ayla begins to question the tribe's male chauvinistic presumptions. Unable to conceive of why only men are given weapons, she takes it upon herself to learn how to use a slingshot. She then questions the tribe's assumptions concerning sexual politics. She learns to count and becomes the assistant to the local medicine expert. As the seasons wear on, the tribe utilizes Ayla's knowledge for their own good while Ayla's continues to try the patience of the tribe with her unspeakable feminist demands. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Chapman
- Written By
- Jean M. Auel, John Sayles
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 17, 1986 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
This is Reader's Digest prehistory, though at least director Chapman (cameraman on Raging Bull) makes sure the murky caves look nice.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The filmmakers made no effort to empathize with their prehistoric characters, to imagine what it might have really been like back then.
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Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A goofy and ill-made movie that wants to be deadly serious and acts incredibly daft, and the average between these two points is of a joyless, dull nothing.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
As the cave wall says, stay with the book.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Imagine a chick-flick "Quest for Fire" that makes no sense.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Daryl Hannah
as Ayla
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Pamela Reed
as Iza
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James Remar
as Creb
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Thomas G. Waites
as Broud
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John Doolittle
as Brun
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Curtis Armstrong
as Goov
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Karen Austin
as Aba
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Bart the Bear
as the bear
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Natino Bellantoni
as Gorn
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Paul Carafotes
as Brug
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Joey Cramer
as Young Broud
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Martin Doyle
as Grod
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Barbara Duncan
as Uka
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Nicole Eggert
as Middle Ayla
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Adel C. Hammond
as Vorn
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Salome Jens
as Narrator
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Gloria Lee
as Oga
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Tony Montanaro
as Zoug
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Janne Mortil
as Ovra
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Mike Muscat
as Dorv
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Lycia Naff
as Uba
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Keith Wardlow
as Crug
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John Wardlow
as Droog
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Christiane Boyce
as Baby Durk
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Guila Chiesa
as Young Girl
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Rory L. Crowley
as Durc
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Amy Cyr
as Young Girl
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Colin Doyle
as Young Boy
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Shauna Fanara
as Young Girl
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Catherine Flather
as Baby Durc
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Emma Floria
as Young Ayla
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Pierre Lamielle
as Barc
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Samantha Ostry
as Young Uba
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Shane Punt
as Young Vorn
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Linda Quibell
as Aga
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Mary Reid
as Ayla's Mother
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Bernadette Sabath
as Ebra
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Penny Smith
as Ika
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Rick Valiquette
as Voord
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Alan Waltman
as Norg
