The Flintstones is a 1994 American buddy comedy film directed by Brian Levant and written by Tom S. Parker, Jim Jennewein and Steven E. de Souza. A live-action adaptation of the 1960s animated television series The Flintstones, the film stars John Goodman as Fred Flintstone, Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone, and Rosie O'Donnell as Betty Rubble, along with Kyle MacLachlan as an executive-vice president of Fred's company, Halle Berry as his seductive secretary (named after a famous actress) and Elizabeth Taylor (in her final theatrical film appearance), as Pearl Slaghoople, Wilma's mother.The B-52's (as The BC-52's in the film) performed their version of the cartoon's theme song.
The movie, which was shot in California at an estimated budget of $46,000,000, was released on May 27, 1994, and earned $342 million worldwide, making it a huge box office success, despite earning generally negative reviews from film critics. Observers criticized the storyline and tone, which they deemed too adult and mature for family audiences, but praised its visual effects, costume design, art direction and John Goodman's performance as Fred Flintstone.
The film also has some notable differences from the cartoon series. In the film Pebbles and Bam-Bam are noticeably older as Pebbles can walk instead of crawling, the pair are about kindergarten age and Pebbles can talk instead of babbling. Unlike the cartoon series Bam-Bam is adopted long after Pebbles is born and is more aggressive than his cartoon counter-part. Barney is slightly taller in the film and Betty is slightly obese compared to her slim cartoon counterpart.
Cast[]
- John Goodman as Fred Flintstone
- Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble
- Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone
- Rosie O'Donnell as Betty Rubble
- Kyle MacLachlan as Cliff Vandercave
- Halle Berry as Sharon Stone
- Elizabeth Taylor as Pearl Slaghoople
- Mel Blanc as Dino (archive audio)
- Elaine and Melanie Silver as Pebbles Flintstone
- Hlynur and Marinó Sigurðsson as Bamm-Bamm Rubble
- Dann Florek as Mr. Slate
- Richard Moll as Hoagie
- Irwin Keyes as Joe Rockhead
- Jim Doughan as Maitre d'
- Harvey Korman as the voice of Dictabird: Korman was the voice of The Great Gazoo from the original animated series.
- Jonathan Winters as Grizzled Man, a co-worker of Fred and Barney's
- Jack O'Halloran as Yeti
- The B-52's as The BC-52's
- Jean Vander Pyl as Mrs. Feldspar: Vander Pyl was the voice of Wilma in the original animated series
- Laraine Newman as Susan Rock
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Mrs. Pyrite
- Jay Leno as host of Bedrock's Most Wanted
- William Hanna as a boardroom executive
- Joseph Barbera as a man driving a Mersandes
- Sam Raimi as Cliff Vandercave look-alike
- Alan Blumenfeld as Fred Flintstone look-alike
- Messiri Freeman as Miss Stone look-alike
Uncredited[]
- Anthony Asbury as Soda Machine Bird
- Elizabeth Daily as the voice of Bamm-Bamm Rubble
- Phil Proctor as the voice of Cavemen