This event is part of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2026. Visit www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk to see the full line-up as well as buy Weekend/Day Passes.

Dir: Michael Chapman | U.S. | 98 mins | Cert. 15

Directed by legendary cinematographer Michael Chapman, who shot Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Fugitive, a script by John Sayles (Battle Beyond The Stars) and shot entirely on location by Jan De Bont (Die Hard, The Hunt For Red October) as cinematographer, this prehistoric adventure transports audiences back in time to when Neanderthals shared the Earth with early Homo sapiens.

Based on Jean M. Auel's popular book series, the film has minimal dialogue with the cast, that includes Daryl Hannah, Pamela Reed and James Remar, using Neanderthal gestures and a primitive spoken language that was created for the film.

Shot in the stunning Canadian wilderness, the film follows a tribe of Neanderthal cave-dwellers who adopt Ayla, a child of the "Others”. Growing up among them, she must fight for her place against jealous bigotry and misogyny in a rapidly evolving world.

David Taylor, festival co-director, says of the film “though it was a commercial failure on release and consistently downvoted by IMDb incels ever since, it’s a film ripe for reappraisal.

“Though the filmmakers refusal to sexualise the film’s heroine hampered its success at the time, 40 years on I think it deserves a better fate than being a shameful footnote in the careers of the magnificent people who made it. But come make up your own mind!”

As far as we know it’s never been shown since its initial release so this is a rare chance to see it in all its Palaeolithic glory.

The film also features one of the first roles of Bart The Bear, best known for his roles in Legends of the Fall and The Edge!

The film will be introduced by Ellie Hendricks, director of the Archaeo-Heritage Film Festival.

Content warning: Contains scenes of sexual violence