Dersu Uzala (1975)

The Russian army sends an explorer on an expedition to the snowy Siberian wilderness where he makes friends with a seasoned local hunter.

Director:

Akira Kurosawa

Writers:

Vladimir Arsenev (book), Akira Kurosawa,

Stars:

Maksim Munzuk, Yuri Solomin, Svetlana Danilchenko

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Maksim Munzuk	...	Dersu Uzala
Yuri Solomin	...	Captain Vladimir Arseniev
Svetlana Danilchenko	...	Mrs. Arseniev
Dmitri Korshikov	...	Wowa son of Arsenjev
Suimenkul Chokmorov	...	Jan Bao
Vladimir Kremena	...	Turtwigin
Aleksandr Pyatkov	...	Olenin
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mikhail Bychkov	...	(as M. Bychkov)
Sovetbek Dzhumadylov
B. Khorulev
Nikolai Volkov

Storyline

A Russian army explorer who is rescued in Siberia by a rugged Asian hunter renews his friendship with the woodsman years later when he returns as the head of a larger expedition. The hunter finds that all of his nature lore is of no help when he accompanies the explorer back to civilization.

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Plot Keywords:

hunter | explorer | russian | siberia | guide | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Soviet Union Japan

Language:

Russian Chinese

Release Date:

20 December 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dersoe Oezala

Filming Locations:

Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 536,075 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atelier 41, Daiei Studios, Mosfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Sovcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kurosawa's first film in 70mm.

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Goofs

The rifle Captain Arseniev carries is a Winchester Model 1895 musket. The Russians acquired these rifles in 1915-1916, therefore the Captain most likely would not be issued a Winchester in 1905.

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Quotes

Dersu Uzala: How can man live in a box?

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Connections

Remake of Dersu Uzala (1961)

User Reviews

My Favorite Kurosawa

I own many of Akira Kurosawa's films. I have Ran, Throne of blood, Seven Samarai, Roshomon, Dreams, Hidden Fortress, Jojimbo, Snajuro, Red Beard, and even "Kurosawa" the documentary. I guess you can say that I like his work. The "Kurosawa" documentary narrated by Sam Shepard and produced by thirteen / WNET I recommend for anyone at all interested in Kurosawa's films as it will really wet your appetite.

Of all of his films, Dersu Uzala is my favorite. It is also one of my favorite films by anybody. It was done shortly after Akira had went through a very dark time in his life and had attempted suicide. It was his first film afterwards and the content of the film appears to reflect more than a little of his mindset at the time. Dersu Uazla is both a feel good film and also a sad film. It touches the way that people as they grow older have a more and more difficult time adapting to life as it changes and has its affect on them. The end of the film can certainly show light on the inhumanity that appears to be growing more prevalent in our society. But, I think what you remember from the film is the love between two individuals, and that is what feels good.

Many of Kurosawa's films have a great deal of spectacle, and he is perhaps known best for his Samarai films. There is none of that in this movie. Dersu Uzala is a statement by Akira of life. Akira was fighting to keep making films and was not having an easy time of it. If Akira Kurosawa could not make films, he could not feel that he was living. As a result, he attempted suicide. He survived to make this film plus many others that we all enjoy today. Dersu Uzala may be the most important of his films and the one that shows the great director's true personality. Just perhaps, it shows more about humanity than any of his other films. Again, it is my favorite.