Caveman (1981)
A slapstick prehistoric comedy starring Ringo Starr as a banished caveman who discovers fire, friendship, and survival alongside a lovable band of misfits.
Caveman - Movie Information
- Original Title: Caveman
- Release Year: 1981
- Directed by: Carl Gottlieb
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 17, 1981 (United States - PG), August 26, 1981 (United Kingdom - PG), June 4, 1981 (Germany - 6), December 25, 1981 (Mexico - A)
- Alternative Titles: Cavernícola (ES), Caveman - Der aus der Hoehle kam (DE), Il cavernicolo (IT), L'homme des cavernes (FR), O Homem das Cavernas (PT)
- Production Companies: The Turman-Foster Company, Estudios Churubusco Azteca, United Artists
- Production Countries: Mexico, United States of America
Caveman - Plot
Disgraced and cast out of his tribe for lusting after Lana, the mate of the tribe's head muscle man, Atouk stumbles along gathering other misfits and learning a bit about the world outside of his cave. Eventually he and friends Lar and Tala learn the secrets of fire, cooked meat, and how to defend themselves from the brutal, yet very stupid dinosaurs.
Caveman - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the prehistoric mayhem unfold:
Back when you had to beat it before you could eat it...
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Caveman - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Carl Gottlieb
Main Cast
- Ringo Starr
- Dennis Quaid
- Shelley Long
- Jack Gilford
- Barbara Bach
- Carl Lumbly
- John Matuszak
- Avery Schreiber
- Richard Moll
- Cork Hubbert
Writers
- Rudy De Luca
- Carl Gottlieb
Producers
- Lawrence Turman
- David Foster
Caveman - FAQs
What is Caveman (1981) about?
Caveman follows Atouk, a scrawny prehistoric outcast played by Ringo Starr, who gets banished from his tribe for fancying the chief's girlfriend. He teams up with a ragtag band of fellow misfits and together they stumble upon life-changing discoveries like fire and cooked food while dodging hilariously dim-witted dinosaurs.
Is Caveman worth watching for comedy fans?
If you enjoy broad, physical slapstick in the spirit of classic silent comedy, Caveman is a genuine treat. Ringo Starr's surprisingly nimble comic timing and a game ensemble cast keep the laughs coming, and the film's invented prehistoric language adds a wonderfully absurd layer to the fun.
Where can you stream Caveman (1981) online?
You can catch Caveman on several platforms right now. Free ad-supported options include The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Tubi TV, and Plex. It's also available with a subscription on fuboTV, MGM+, Philo, and the MGM+ Amazon Channel, or you can rent or buy it on Fandango At Home.
Why does Caveman use an invented prehistoric language?
Writers Rudy De Luca and Carl Gottlieb created a made-up caveman dialect of roughly 15 words to keep the comedy purely physical and universal. The decision strips away any language barrier and forces the cast to rely on exaggerated expressions and body language, giving the film a timeless silent-movie quality.
Who are the main cast members in Caveman?
The film boasts a fun ensemble: Ringo Starr leads as Atouk, with Dennis Quaid as his loyal pal Lar and Shelley Long as the kind-hearted Tala. Barbara Bach plays the coveted Lana, Jack Gilford is the elderly Gog, and John Matuszak cuts an imposing figure as the brutish Tonda.
Did Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach meet on Caveman?
Yes — one of the film's most charming footnotes is that Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach fell in love on set while playing romantic leads Atouk and Lana. The real-life chemistry clearly translated to the screen, and the couple married in April 1981, the same month Caveman was released in the United States.
What is the age rating for Caveman (1981)?
Caveman is rated PG, making it a family-friendly watch. The humor is firmly in slapstick territory — think pratfalls, goofy dinosaurs, and prehistoric misadventures — so it's perfectly suitable for older kids and up, though some mild innuendo in the tagline hints at the adult winks sprinkled throughout.
Who composed the music for Caveman?
The score was composed by Lalo Schifrin, the Argentine-American maestro best known for the iconic Mission: Impossible theme. His playful, percussive work on Caveman perfectly complements the film's comedic prehistoric setting, adding rhythmic energy to the slapstick sequences without ever overshadowing the physical comedy on screen.
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