Dersu Uzala (1975)

Director:

Akira Kurosawa

Writers:

Vladimir Arsenyev (book)
Akira Kurosawa (writer)

Release Date:

20 December 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

The Russian officer who befriends Dersu must bear some responsibility for the tragedy - taking Dersu to the town and the gift of the rifle significantly impact on the ending of the film.

Plot Keywords:

Wood Chopping | Weather | Wind | Wind Storm | Chinese

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 7 wins

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

Also Known As:

Дерсу Узала (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Derusu Uzara (Japan)

Runtime:

144 min

Country:

Soviet Union | Japan

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color (Sovcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

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

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Finland:K-3 (DVD rating) | UK:U | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 | USA:G | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, Russia

Company:

Atelier 41

Goofs:

Anachronisms: 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.

Quotes:

Dersu Uzala: Why man live in box?

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV)

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.