Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Docu about ancient cave art is tame but aimed at adults.
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Cave of Forgotten Dreams
What's the Story?
In 1994, climbers in Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc in Southern France discovered a CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, filled with rich cave drawings. Experts quickly determined that they dated back some 32,000 years and were the oldest such drawings in the world today. The enormous importance of the find was immediately apparent, and the cave was sealed off to everyone except experts. But acclaimed director Werner Herzog was given unprecedented access to film inside. Using 3-D for the first time, Herzog's meticulous, curious eye lovingly records the drawings and attempts to capture the myriad of thoughts and feelings they inspire.
Is It Any Good?
Herzog was the perfect person to ask to make this stately movie. Over the course of his career, he has continually demonstrated both a foolhardy bravery and an insatiable curiosity in his constant search for the elusive relationship between man and nature. This was the case in his early, classic films, as well as in his more recent, acclaimed documentaries—including Cave of Forgotten Dreams.
The film is unquestionably an important document, since the cave itself is of enormous historical importance and this film will be the only way most people will get to see inside of it. (And the drawings are hauntingly beautiful.) Yet the story's very limited structure doesn't allow Herzog to explore as much as he might like to. That said, when he does get to explore—such as learning about primitive weapons, speaking to a scientist about his former circus career, or interviewing a perfume maker about the smells of the cave—his personal vision shines through.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of 3-D in Cave of Forgotten Dreams. How is it different from most other 3-D movies you've seen?
What audience do you think this movie is intended for?
What are some of the things we can learn from the cave? What kind of emotional reactions do the drawings elicit? Can you imagine what life must have been like 30,000 or 40,000 years ago?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 29, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2011
- Cast : Werner Herzog
- Director : Werner Herzog
- Studio : IFC Entertainment
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : History
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 27, 2026
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