Dersu Uzala (1975)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
94% of users liked it
(7,066 ratings)

A few months after his notorious suicide attempt, Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was regenerated by the notion of helming the first Russian/Japanese co-production. Co-scripted and directed by Kurosawa, Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly guide and Goldi hunter (Maxim Munzuk), who, at the turn… More A few months after his notorious suicide attempt, Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was regenerated by the notion of helming the first Russian/Japanese co-production. Co-scripted and directed by Kurosawa, Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly guide and Goldi hunter (Maxim Munzuk), who, at the turn of the century, agrees to shepherd a Russian explorer (Yuri Solomin) and a troop of soldiers through the most treacherous passages of the Far East. The guide has been "one" with the land almost from birth, and is thus able to save his party from perishing. Four years in the making, Dersu Uzala won the 1976 Best Foreign Film Oscar and restored the flagging Akira Kurosawa to the top ranks of the Japanese film industry. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Akira Kurosawa
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Aug 2, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Oct 17, 2000
Studio: Nelson Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Richard Eder, New York Times
The episodes in this second part go on endlessly, loosely, obviously. They lack the revelations of the winter scenes and they do little but belabor at length the points already made. They wreck the film's balance and make its achievements dull.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
a gorgeous looking and highly affecting adventure
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's sweetly told and heartwarming, much like a Disney film, but not demanding much of the viewer.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
To Arseniev, Dersu embodies something civilized men have lost… Neither can really understand the other — which is precisely what makes their friendship so special.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Every frame of Dersu Uzala is simply beautiful to look at. . . . Kurosawa's 140-minute masterpiece is a . . . quietly captivating experience.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Kurosawa's Russian epic is breathtakinging ambitious, if a bit didactic.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
Beautifully photographed but far too isolated in its characterizations.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

the ultimate man vs. wild. bear grills has nothing on dersu uzala. another of the many absolute masterpieces by kurosawa, this film is possibly the best man vs. nature film ever made. tragedy makes the man that becomes so great that the world will no longer accept him. amazing on… More
the ultimate man vs. wild. bear grills has nothing on dersu uzala. another of the many absolute masterpieces by kurosawa, this film is possibly the best man vs. nature film ever made. tragedy makes the man that becomes so great that the world will no longer accept him. amazing on every front.
Matthew Y

For whatever reason Kurosawa's works were always far more appreciated in western society than in his native Japan. After his split with Mifune the nation seemed to embrace the actor and vilify the director. Kurosawa was unable to get financing to make any new films and it was… More
For whatever reason Kurosawa's works were always far more appreciated in western society than in his native Japan. After his split with Mifune the nation seemed to embrace the actor and vilify the director. Kurosawa was unable to get financing to make any new films and it was up to other countries to keep the master directer working with films like Tora, Tora, Tora and Dersu Uzala. A few months after his notorious suicide attempt Kurosawa signed on to direct the first ever film collaboration between Russia and Japan. Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly woodsman who guides some Russian explorers through the wilderness and on more than one occasion saves their lives. He builds a strong friendship with Capt. Vladimir Arseniev and so taken by the old man is he that Vladimir decides after the expedition to bring Uzala to his home and care for him. Unfortunately civilization is so strange and unwelcome to Uzala and he struggles to fit in or find happiness. His health begins to fail and Vladimir wonders if he was right to remove the man from his natural environment. It is here when the film is at it's most emotional and memorable.
Anthony V

Great story, well told.

Cast

Maxim Munzuk
as Dersu Uzala
Yuri Solomin
as Capt. Vladimir Arseniev
Vladimir Kremena
as Turtwigin

See full cast

Dersu Uzala (1975)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

Matthew Y

Anthony V

Cast

Trailers & Clips