<![CDATA[Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection.]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Quest for Fire

country_woman — 12 years ago(May 21, 2013 06:40 PM)

Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection.
The two main tribes, the Ulam and Ivaka, are supposed to be Homo Sapiens Sapiens (us, anatomically modern humans) and the Wagabu (the tribe that attacks the Ulam in the beginning of the movie, which initiates the story) and the Kzamm (the cannibals) are Neandertals (Homo Sapiens Neandertalensis).
Even when the movie was made, we knew that the Neandertals were a kind of human, and not apes. But the Wagabu are simply bipedal apes, and the Kzamm are extremely apelike.
Further, the Ulam have the heavy brow ridges and jutting jaws that are truly Neandertal. Only the Ivaka are truly anatomically modern humans).
This just makes no sense, scientifically. I read that J.J. Annaud, the director, spent years researching this movie. And he made such bloopers representing the humans.
Other than that, terrific movie! I saw it when it came out, and again on DVD. Very evocative and gripping.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/194966/well-actually-not-a-nitpick-a-major-objectionRSS for NodeTue, 12 May 2026 16:14:25 GMTWed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:52 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:59 GMT]]>shiftylee — 11 years ago(November 22, 2014 06:45 PM)

The book was published in 1911 so that is the frame of reference.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638236https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638236Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:58 GMT]]>shiftylee — 11 years ago(November 22, 2014 06:43 PM)

Because it was thought that Homosapiens and Neaderthals lived side by side when the book was written over 100 yesrs ago.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638235https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638235Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:56 GMT]]>lotr2004rotk — 11 years ago(August 20, 2014 01:48 AM)

Shiftylee. That makes sense. I had no idea this was based on a novel. Even still, why have the tribes in dif stages of evolution? Took some of the realism away for me since I wasn't expecting that. Still a cool movie though.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638234https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638234Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:55 GMT]]>shiftylee — 12 years ago(March 23, 2014 06:30 AM)

It's based on a book that was made before that was known. The director knew ot was scientificaly incorrect but wanted to remain faithful to the source novel.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638233https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638233Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:54 GMT]]>Blueghost — 12 years ago(June 01, 2013 10:43 PM)

Yeah, sometimes directors don't always make the best decisions. I think Annaud is one of the great cinematic geniuses of our time, but even he's made a few missteps here and there. What you cite, to me at least, says that they just flubbed it when it came to determining which species of human goes where in what scene.
I think if he went back and remade this film it would be much improved.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638232https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638232Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Well, actually not a nitpick, a major objection. on Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:53 GMT]]>playtoyer — 12 years ago(May 25, 2013 03:20 PM)

yes you are right you have in the movie the ulam and the kzamm that are neandertals the ivaka that are homo sapiens and the wagabou that are homo erectus it,s not possible it,s a movie it,s fiction based on scientific facts the language used in the movie was invented by anthony burgess and they mixed 3 kind of humans group from differente evolution stages the film is based on a book

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638231https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1638231Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:31:53 GMT