Krippendorf’s Tribe (1998): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Krippendorf’s Tribe is a 1998 family comedy directed by Todd Holland, starring Richard Dreyfuss as Prof. Krippendorf, Barbara Williams and Jenna Elfman. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $7.6 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Todd Holland
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Touchstone Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Krippendorf’s Tribe About?
The premise of Krippendorf’s Tribe without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After losing his grant and wife, anthropologist James Krippendorf must prove a New Guinea tribe exists. He outfits his three troubled kids in grass skirts, makeup and staged rituals, presenting them as the Shelmikedmu, a culture that captivates scholars. When a spiteful rival threatens to expose the hoax, Krippendorf joins the charade.
Krippendorf’s Tribe Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- anthropologist
- whispering in someone's ear
- fictional village
- fictional tribe
- single father
- reference to cecil b. demille
- father son relationship
- brother sister relationship
- grandfather granddaughter relationship
- father daughter relationship
- brother brother relationship
- grandmother granddaughter relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- grandmother grandson relationship
- loss of mother
- grandfather grandson relationship
- doubt
- deception
- expose
- dysfunctional family
- drink
- female villain
- fraud
- male female relationship
- grant money
- drunkeness
- lie
- tribesman
- misusing grant money
- prologue
- fake tribal chief
- menses
- blackface
- face paint
- mother son relationship
- seduction
- sex
- telephone call
- drinking
- one joke comedy
- telephone
- death of wife
- mattock
- jealousy
- cable tv producer
- livestock
- mother daughter relationship
- papua new guinea
- conspiracy
- imaginary tribe
- humiliation
Krippendorf’s Tribe Cast & Characters
Richard Dreyfuss leads the cast as Prof. Krippendorf, with Barbara Williams as Jennifer and Jenna Elfman as Veronica. Directed by Todd Holland; 47 actors are credited in all.
- Director Todd Holland
-
Richard Dreyfuss as Prof. Krippendorf - Barbara Williams as Jennifer
-
Jenna Elfman as Veronica -
David Ogden Stiers as Henry Spivey
Also Starring in Krippendorf’s Tribe
· 43 more- Lily Tomlin Ruth Allen
- Gregory Smith Mickey
- Carl Michael Lindner Edmund
- Natasha Lyonne Shelly
- Stephen Root Gerald Adams
- Mila Kunis Abbey Tournquist
- Sandy Martin Nurse
- Elaine Stritch Irene Hargrove
- Zakes Mokae Sulukim
- Laura Cayouette TV Studio Woman
- Amzie Strickland Gladys Schmades
- Frances Bay Edith Proxmire
- Susan Ruttan Mrs. O'Brian
- Julio Oscar Mechoso Simon Alonso
- Shashawnee Hall Mabu
- Penny Johnson Jerald Teacher
Show all 47 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Rachel Winfree Lecture Woman #1
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan Lori
- Tom Poston Gordon Hargrove
- Doris Belack President Porter
- Phil Leeds Dr. Harvey
- Lance Kinsey Principal Reese
- Suanne Spoke Lecture Woman #2
- Grace Lee College Student #1
- Wendy Worthington Secretary
- Tim Halligan Mr. Tournquist
- Bruce Jarchow Dr. Andrews, Chester Hill
- Catherine Paolone Lecture Woman #3
- Robb Derringer TV Store Customer #2
- Todd Cattell College Student #2
- Robin Karfo Mrs. Tournquist
- Joy Somers Carol's Friend (uncredited)
- Michael Steve Jones Alcove Man
- Chris Duque Outpost Man
- Kari Leigh Floyd Party Guest
- Peter Tilden Larry Swift
- Timothy Wells Ruth's Guide
- Ian Busch Flagpole Boy
- Jacob Handy Young Edmund
- Zachary Handy Young Edmund
- Valerie Reid Divorced Woman
- Bill Rosier TV Store Customer #1
- China Brezner Elevator Teen
More from Todd Holland
More films directed by Todd Holland, best-rated first: Firehouse Dog, The Wizard, Monster High and Wax On, Fuck Off.
Krippendorf’s Tribe Plot Summary
What happens in Krippendorf’s Tribe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Prof. Krippendorf, Richard Dreyfuss, is a respected anthropologist who, with his wife Jennifer, Barbara Williams, takes their three children on a hopeful quest into New Guinea to locate a lost tribe. The expedition brings joy to the family, but it ends in disappointment when the search proves unsuccessful. Back in the United States, the tragedy of Jennifer’s death leaves Krippendorf grappling with grief and financial strain, having spent the foundation grant on raising the children as a single parent. With a looming lecture at a college and fears of potential misuse of grant funds, he devises a plan to protect his livelihood and his family: he creates an imaginary tribe named the Shelmikedmu, using the names of his own kids as the tribe’s signposts.
Full summary
The whole story of Krippendorf’s Tribe, scene by scene
Krippendorf’s Tribe Box Office
Krippendorf’s Tribe grossed $7.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.6M
- US & Canada
- $7.6M
Krippendorf’s Tribe Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Krippendorf's Tribe (1998) Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Krippendorf’s Tribe?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Professor Krippendorf?
Cars in Krippendorf’s Tribe
13 cars on screen, including the 1995 Dodge Ram Wagon and the 1995 GMC Jimmy.
-
1995 Dodge Ram Wagon Minor role -
1995 GMC Jimmy Minor role -
1997 Infiniti Q45 Minor role -
1997 Nissan 240SX Minor role
Krippendorf’s Tribe Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Jagabongo - Eine schrecklich nette Urwaldfamilie” and “Jagabongo”.
- Also known as
-
- Jagabongo - Eine schrecklich nette Urwaldfamilie
- Jagabongo
- La tribu de los Krippendorf
- Cercasi tribù disperatamente
- Alibi törzs
- Племя Криппендорфа
- Drôles de papous
- Племето на Крипендорф
- เผ่าพิสดาร ศาสตราจารย์ขี้จุ๊
- A Tribo dos Krippendorf
- 크리펜도프 종족
- Krippendorf'un Kabilesi
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- Плем'я Кріппендорфа
- Odkrycie profesora Krippendorfa
- 我们一家都是野蛮人
Seen Krippendorf’s Tribe?
Movies Like Krippendorf’s Tribe
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including RRRrrrr!!!, The Kid Brother and Are Crooks Dishonest?.
Krippendorf’s Tribe FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Krippendorf’s Tribe, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Krippendorf’s Tribe?
Krippendorf’s Tribe runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Krippendorf’s Tribe released?
Krippendorf’s Tribe was released on February 27, 1998.
Who directed Krippendorf’s Tribe?
Krippendorf’s Tribe was directed by Todd Holland.
More films by Todd Holland Who is in the cast of Krippendorf’s Tribe?
Krippendorf’s Tribe stars Richard Dreyfuss as Prof. Krippendorf, Barbara Williams as Jennifer and Jenna Elfman as Veronica, among 47 credited actors.
How much did Krippendorf’s Tribe make at the box office?
Krippendorf’s Tribe grossed $7.6 million worldwide.
Does Krippendorf’s Tribe have a post-credit scene?
No. Krippendorf’s Tribe has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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