Caveman
In the Stone Age, strong caveman Tonda is the leader of a hostile tribe and the outcast Atouk feels unrequited desire for Tonda's mate Lana. One day, Atouk is walking with his best friend Lar (Dennis Quaid) and they meet the cavewoman Tala. They save her blind father Gog from a tar pit and Tala fells unrequited affection for Atouk. Soon the smart Atouk becomes the leader of the misfit tribe and dispute the leadership of the whole clan and Lana with Tonda. But in the end, the leader needs a worthwhile mate.
The film earned $16.0M at the global box office.
1 win & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Caveman (1981) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Carl Gottlieb's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Atouk
Lana
Tala
Tonda
Lar
Gog
Main Cast & Characters
Atouk
Played by Ringo Starr
A misfit caveman banished from his tribe who embarks on a journey to prove himself and win the woman he loves.
Lana
Played by Barbara Bach
A beautiful cavewoman and object of Atouk's affection, initially with the tribe's brutish leader.
Tala
Played by Shelley Long
A kind-hearted, homely cavewoman who genuinely cares for Atouk and joins him on his journey.
Tonda
Played by John Matuszak
The brutish, tyrannical leader of the tribe who repeatedly beats and humiliates Atouk.
Lar
Played by Dennis Quaid
Atouk's loyal, simple-minded best friend who is banished alongside him.
Gog
Played by Jack Gilford
A wise, elderly caveman who becomes a mentor figure to Atouk's misfit band.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Atouk, a scrawny caveman, lives as an outcast in his tribe, constantly rejected by the beautiful Lana who only has eyes for the brutish tribe leader Tonda. He's stuck at the bottom of the social hierarchy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Atouk is banished from the tribe by Tonda after making another failed advance toward Lana. He's cast out into the wilderness alone and defenseless.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Atouk decides to form his own tribe with the outcasts. He chooses to become a leader rather than trying to win his way back into Tonda's tribe., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Atouk's tribe has become successful and prosperous through their innovations. Lana, seeing their success, defects from Tonda's tribe to join Atouk. He achieves his original goal of winning Lana, but it's a false victory., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tonda attacks and destroys much of what Atouk's tribe has built. In the chaos, Atouk realizes Lana doesn't truly care about him - she only wanted comfort and safety. His dream of being with Lana dies., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Atouk chooses Tala and commits to protecting his tribe. He combines the cleverness that made them successful with newfound courage to face Tonda directly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Caveman's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Caveman against these established plot points, we can identify how Carl Gottlieb utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Caveman within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Atouk, a scrawny caveman, lives as an outcast in his tribe, constantly rejected by the beautiful Lana who only has eyes for the brutish tribe leader Tonda. He's stuck at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Theme
Through primitive gestures and grunts, it's established that strength isn't everything - cleverness and heart matter. The weak can find their own way to thrive.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the prehistoric world: the tribe's dynamics, Tonda's brutish leadership, Atouk's unrequited love for Lana, and the daily struggles of caveman life including hunting and avoiding dinosaurs.
Disruption
Atouk is banished from the tribe by Tonda after making another failed advance toward Lana. He's cast out into the wilderness alone and defenseless.
Resistance
Atouk wanders the wilderness and begins gathering other outcasts and misfits: including the blind Gog, the gentle giant Tala, and eventually Lana's friend Tala. They debate whether they can survive on their own.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Atouk decides to form his own tribe with the outcasts. He chooses to become a leader rather than trying to win his way back into Tonda's tribe.
Mirror World
Tala, a gentle and kind cavewoman, shows genuine affection for Atouk. She represents true partnership and mutual respect, contrasting with Lana's shallow focus on physical strength.
Premise
Atouk and his misfit tribe have comedic adventures: discovering fire, inventing cooking, learning to use tools and weapons, and developing their own primitive innovations. They thrive through intelligence rather than brute force.
Midpoint
Atouk's tribe has become successful and prosperous through their innovations. Lana, seeing their success, defects from Tonda's tribe to join Atouk. He achieves his original goal of winning Lana, but it's a false victory.
Opposition
With Lana in the group, dynamics shift. She's demanding and shallow. Tonda, enraged by Lana's defection, becomes more aggressive toward Atouk's tribe. Internal conflicts arise as Atouk neglects his true friends while pursuing Lana.
Collapse
Tonda attacks and destroys much of what Atouk's tribe has built. In the chaos, Atouk realizes Lana doesn't truly care about him - she only wanted comfort and safety. His dream of being with Lana dies.
Crisis
Atouk reflects on what truly matters. He sees Tala's genuine love and loyalty, and recognizes that his tribe of misfits - his real family - is what he's been fighting for all along, not Lana's approval.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Atouk chooses Tala and commits to protecting his tribe. He combines the cleverness that made them successful with newfound courage to face Tonda directly.
Synthesis
Atouk leads his tribe in a final confrontation with Tonda. Using intelligence, teamwork, and their inventions, they defeat the brutish leader. Atouk proves that brains triumph over brawn.
Transformation
Atouk and Tala are together, leading a thriving tribe built on cooperation and innovation rather than dominance. The outcast has become a true leader who values the right things.