Dersu Uzala (1975)

VHS CASE/ SIDE

Length of film: 142 Minutes (Edited: 136 Minutes)

Rated: U

Genre: Biography, Drama, Adventure

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Starring:  Maksim Munzuk, Yuriy Solomin, Mikhail Bychkov, Vladimir Khrulyov, V. Lastochkin, Stanislav Marin

IMDB Rank: 8.2 /10

Part 1 Time: 70 Minutes (Edited: 67 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  72 Minutes (Edited: 69 Minutes)

***In DVD format, The Russian Cinema Council released the film in two separate parts.

Where does the first part end? Captain Arsenev (Yuriy Solomin) finishes his 1902 topographic survey of the Shkotovo region. He says goodbye to his new found friend Dersu Uzala (Maksim Munzuk), who returns to the wilderness.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Captain Arsenev responds to Dersu’s farewell shouting “Dersu.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: “That spring I travelled again to the Ussuri country.” Arsenev narrates, the year is now 1907.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, the expedition is a success, Captain Arsenev and Dersu have developed a close friendship. Resulting in Captain Arsenev asking Dersu to join him post expedition, Dersu ultimately decides to return to the wilderness. Will Captain Arsenev and Dersu ever cross paths again?

Which part is better? The entire film is a beautiful narrative exploring the elements of friendship and the interconnection humans have with nature. Part one is slightly better as Captain Arsenev and Dersu develop their friendship through the harshness of the wilderness. Dersu’s knowledge of nature saves Captain Arsenev’s life many times, allowing Captain Arsenev to successfully complete his 1902 expedition. This film is a must see for any avid filmgoer.

Academy Awards: 1976; Best Foreign Language Film (Winner)