Dersu Uzala
デルス・ウザーラ
Plots(1)
Kurosawa's remarkable film, his only produced and financed outside of Japan, is an extraordinary tale of friendship and survival, based on the memoirs of Russian explorer Vladimir Arseniev. In the harsh environs of the Siberian frontier, an expedition led by Arseniev encounter the nomadic Goldi tribesman Dersu Uzala, who agrees to guide the men through the vast uncharted wilderness. Although initially considered by the group as little more than a savage, Dersu's skill, courage and spiritual wisdom soon earn their respect and admiration, as well as instilling in them a new-found compassion for the natural world. Bearing all the unmistakable hallmarks of the great cinema master, Kurosawa's Oscar-winning classic is a visually stunning humanist epic. (Artificial Eye)
(more)Reviews (2)
Kurosawa was a director with an unusual flair for set design and proper image placement, which he here exploits to the fullest. But most importantly, he was also able to cast the ideal actors, people who gave their best in front of the camera, and Maksim Munzuk embodies the nature-bred Dersu Uzala so perfectly that I can safely call it the most likeable character ever to appear in a non-English language film. I sympathized so much with Captain Arsenev, for whom the kindly old hunter literally becomes an idol, a best friend and the only hope for survival in the inhospitable labyrinth of nature. A stirring service for humanity, understanding and the purity of beautiful nature, whose rules are never stupid, useless or unfair. I wonder how good the book must be. 95%
()
An extremely powerful film, in which Akira Kurosawa proved that he still has what it takes to make movies that the world will remember. And it doesn't matter that it was in Russia. On the contrary, he was able to use the environment in a way that usually only documentary filmmakers can. In this case, it benefits the plot and it is truly a great spectacle. Nature and man are in perfect harmony and also against each other, just like man and society.
()