本片获奥斯卡最佳化妆奖、法国凯撒奖最佳影片及最佳导演奖。
围绕着寻求火种，电影极其科学而又生动地再现了旧石器时代人类的生活侧面。一个旧石器时代的部落在被其他部落的偷袭残杀和狼群的追逐噬啮之余，流落到了一片沼泽地。惊魂未定，饥寒交加，死的死，伤的伤，部落里专人看守的火种又在这紧要关口无情地熄灭了。一夜之间，部落从穴居安处篝火围坐的殷实的经济生活跌落成流离失所露宿荒野，在寒夜中瑟瑟颤抖。没有了火，既便没有敌人野兽追杀，部落也不会在冻馁伤病中生存多久。部落一老者作出了具有深远历史意义的决策，老者指定了三个勇猛之士出去寻找火种........

Rene is a dedicated warrior-monk of the famed Knights Templar, a religious order whose mission to protect Christian pilgrims has degenerated into a power grab for wealth and influence in the Crusader Kingdom. Disillusioned by the corrupt motives of his superiors, Rene is nearly killed at the disastrous 1187 battle fought at the Horns of Hattin, which wipes out most of the Christian army. He is taken captive on the battlefield by brigands, but escapes and flees into the desert. Saved from starvation by Hasan, a mysterious Muslim traveler, he returns the favor when Hasan is attacked by outriders of Saladin's army. The two take refuge in an isolated oasis, the home of Soheila, widow of a Muslim warrior, and Soheila nurses the severely wounded Hasan back to health.
While he waits for Hasan's injuries to heal, Rene finds himself tempted by the simple pleasures of a life free from the ravages of war. His growing attraction for Soheila, followed by news of the atrocities committed by both the Christian and Muslim armies, lead him to question his vows of chastity and obedience and his commitment to the Crusader ethos. But the secret that Hasan harbors brings down on the little oasis the wrath of Saladin's forces, igniting a confrontation that has devastating consequences -- consequences which finally hold the answers for his troubled soul. -- © Official Site