Cave of Forgotten Dreams

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Cave of Forgotten Dreams

G

2011

1h 30m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

136 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this documentary, filmmaker Werner Herzog and a small crew are given a rare chance to film inside France's Chauvet Cave, where the walls are covered with the world's oldest surviving paintings. To preserve the art, people are allowed to enter the site for only two weeks a year. Examining the 30,000-year-old drawings, Herzog discusses how the artwork represents humanity's earliest dreams with scientists and art scholars conducting research at Chauvet.

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Critics Consensus

Hauntingly filmed and brimming with Herzog's infectious enthusiasm, Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a fascinating triumph.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Sep 21, 2011

4/5

Herzog has used the 3D process with tremendous creativity to make this very beautiful film.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Sep 21, 2011

4/5

This is what 3-D was made for, puncturing the proscenium and taking us somewhere ''not yet offended''.

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Stephen Cole

Globe and Mail

Jul 8, 2011

3.5/4

It is our tour guide that makes Cave of Forgotten Dreams an often thrilling experience.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jun 7, 2023

4/4

Herzog delivers a documentary so powerful that the result will leave the viewer more than just well-informed but transported by the experience.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Aug 9, 2022

A marvelous dream impossible to forget. [Full review in Spanish]

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Jack Fleischer

Battleship Pretension

Mar 24, 2021

Cave of Forgotten Dreams: 3D is an interesting story, told by that quirky friend...

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Pat

Apr 20, 2026

It was interesting and I liked feeling kind of like I was there in the cave with them. Some times the music was too much. I took my 7 year old grandson he appreciated it but his favorite part was the live crocodiles at the end

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Erick

Apr 20, 2026

I've been waiting years to see this in the theater. Absolutely beautiful experience.

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Jose A

Apr 19, 2026

Deeply a magical experience .

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Avery

Apr 19, 2026

the 3D aspect gave the cave so much texture, a real spectacle

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Giovanni J

Apr 17, 2026

Seeing this cave and paintings from hundreds perhaps several thousands of years ago is truly incredible. Definitely see it in IMAX if you can. This more documentary style so can be a bit slow at times. Definitely some unexpected humor in a somewhat dry subject (archaeology) but nonetheless worth watching if you're into documentaries.

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Erik

Apr 16, 2026

Seeing this in IMAX 3D was not what I expected, but gave amazing depth to the Chauvet Cave paintings. As usual, Herzog keeps us on our toes, asking us to consider both our similarities and yet how alien we are to the original Ice Age artists and the world they lived in. It's a film that stays with you long after watching.

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Werner Herzog

Director

Werner Herzog

Narrator

Werner Herzog

Writer

Peter Zeitlinger

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Synopsis

In this documentary, filmmaker Werner Herzog and a small crew are given a rare chance to film inside France's Chauvet Cave, where the walls are covered with the world's oldest surviving paintings. To preserve the art, people are allowed to enter the site for only two weeks a year. Examining the 30,000-year-old drawings, Herzog discusses how the artwork represents humanity's earliest dreams with scientists and art scholars conducting research at Chauvet.

Director: Werner Herzog
Screenwriter: Werner Herzog
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Arte France, History
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 29, 2011, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.2M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Dolby Digital

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