Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Caveman Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 13, 2015

Ringo Starr was kind of the “and the rest” (in a Gilligan’s Island sort of way) of The Beatles, seemingly relegated to a second tier well below his bandmates. If an ongoing reassessment of his contributions to the Fab Four’s output has at least partially rehabilitated his image, he often seems prone, to quote one Rodney Dangerfield, to not “getting no respect” (in that comedian’s typical misuse of a double negative). Starr’s musical accomplishments may be up for debate (at least by some), but Ringo’s film work offers a typically unabashedly appealing presence, even when there’s not much material to support the actors. Ringo has had probably the most diverse filmography of any of The Beatles, having appeared in a rather wide array of outings, including everything from The Beatles own films of course (including Help!, which revolved around the drummer) to oddities like The Magic Christian, Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels (a bizarre “trip” that really needs to be out on Blu-ray, in my not so humble opinion) and Ken Russell’s Lizstomania (ditto). Ringo has an inherently sweet quality which translates very well to the screen, and that proclivity is part of what helps to carry Caveman past some of its clunkier, schtick ridden, elements. Notable for containing virtually no “understandable” dialogue, along with some fanciful stop motion animation that brings the tribulations of co-existing with dinosaurs whimsically to life, Caveman was rather improbably the (partial) brainchild of Carl Gottlieb, who had grabbed the brass ring rather vigorously by adapting Peter Benchley’s iconic Jaws for the screen some five or six years before he both co-wrote and directed Caveman.

There’s a certain sad sack quality to Ringo’s screen persona that is in some ways reminiscent of Buster Keaton, and a lot of Caveman plays like an old Keaton silent, with Ringo, as caveman Atouk the unwitting naif who is not quite able to control his environment in any meaningful way. Atouk stumbles through a series of comic misadventures which could easily have been lifted from a long ago silent film. Caveman is in fact a near nonstop amalgamation of sight gags, to the point that “verbal” humor is relegated to a couple of brief (though quite inventive) jokes that play upon the actual spoken word (whether that be caveman grunts or honest to goodness English).

Atouk’s main nemesis (other than the occasional dinosaur or drug infused plant) is BNOC (Big Neanderthal on Campus) Tonda (John Matuszak), a kind of prehistoric jock who doesn’t take kindly to Atouk’s nerdier disposition. Unfortunately for Atouk, Tonda also has “possession” of the buxom and beautiful Lana (Barbara Bach), a female that Atouk obviously has desires for. When Atouk discovers the tranquilizing effects of a local plant (whose leaves look suspiciously like cannabis sativa), he tries drugging the hulking brute standing between him and true love, only Lana partakes as well, leading to some unforeseen complications.

Ultimately Atouk’s shenanigans get him banished from the tribe (so to speak), and he takes off on a trek across a landscape that is both barren and filled with bizarre creatures and plant life. He soon meets up with another exiled “freak,” a kind of dunderheaded dude named Lar (Dennis Quaid). The two engage in a vigorous hug when they meet, something that magically transforms them from hunched over semi- simians to fully upright homo sapiens. It’s a patently silly gag (replete with cracking back sound effect) that is (of course) repeated later in the film.

There’s some gross out humor along the way, but soon enough the pair meets another two characters, goofy but sweet blonde Tala (Shelley Long) and Gog (the great Jack Gilford), a blind elder who literally stumbles into one predicament after another. Obviously, Caveman is not built out of exactly Noel Coward calibre ripostes, and in fact with one notable exception the cast speaks in a bizarre, grunt filled “vocabulary” that seems to have been worked out, since some “words” are repeated. But Caveman has a really enjoyably whimsical ambience virtually the whole way through, something that’s perfectly summed up in the sweet natured stop motion animation that delivers the dinosaur material.

Caveman is ultimately about the “odd man out” triumphing over great odds, something that Ringo’s “Everyman” status is able to convey with charming sincerity. The rest of the principal cast seems to be having a ball, especially Gilford, who almost seems to be channeling yet another vaudevillian in the spirit of his previous A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Caveman Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Caveman is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Elements are in surprisingly good condition, with only a minimum of age related wear and tear on display. There has been some noticeable fade here, however, with reds tipping toward orange and flesh tones a bit on the brown side. Blues are still quite strong, making the outdoor photography look nice. A bit of variability attends the color space throughout this presentation, with some scenes looking warm and nicely suffused, and others assuming a much paler, cooler look. There's a heavy grain field throughout this presentation, one that can in fact occasionally dominate those blue skies. The grain also spikes considerably in the optical sequences, including the stop motion mixed with live sequences. As with most Olive releases, this has a pleasingly organic look within an understanding that no restorative efforts have been made.

Caveman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Caveman's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono honestly doesn't have that much to exploit, other than the grunts, groans and occasional roars (from both humans and beasties), something it accomplishes with a minimum of fuss or bother. Rather incredibly Lalo Schifrin did the score for this film, and it percolates quite nicely, especially in the lower midrange where Lalo offers some playful percussion.

Caveman Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (1080p; 2:31)

Caveman Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's an undeniable sweetness about Caveman that makes it a lot of fun. Ringo is, well, kind of adorable as the determined Atouk, and the supporting cast is equally fun and funny. This was another great showcase for Gilford's patented brand of humor. Notable for its almost sheer lack of traditional dialogue and for its really sweet stop motion animation from Ray Harryhausen collaborator Jim Danforth. Technical merits are very good if not perfect, and Caveman comes Recommended.