‘Dersu Uzala’: Best wilderness movie I’ve seen in a long stretch
January 17th, 2010This is a little known masterpiece directed by Akira Kurosawa, who made so many it’s easy to lose count. It’s about a company of Russian troops exploring the far reaches of the Siberian tundra in the part of Russia Sarah Palin can see from her back porch. One night this Chinese guy walks up to their campfire, makes himself at home and all but volunteers to join up with the Russians on their surveying mission. His name is Dersu Uzala, and he is among a vanishing breed of Siberian mountain men who live entirely in tune with their surroundings.
Here’s a video of that scene:
Dersu always knows when there’s a tiger in the neighborhood. He insists on leaving food and firewood in an old lean-to so the next travelers who find it might have something to keep them alive.
In one pivotal section of the film, he and the Russian commander get lost near nightfall on a broad expanse of tundra. He knows they have only one chance for survival: chop down as much of the tall grass around them and pile it high for insulation. Great stuff.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
It’s now on my Netflix queue – Thanks, Tom.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Tom, thanks for your recommendation. I’ll put it in my Netflix queue also.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Tom,
On my blog profile, it’s listed as one of my all-time favorite movies!
January 18th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Couldn’t agree more. My outdoorsy wildlife biologist friends, all advocates of the strenuous-life feel the same.
January 26th, 2010 at 5:56 am
We watched that movie about a year ago and thought it was great. The part where they’re out on the frozen lake and Uzala kind of sniffs the air and then starts slashing reeds to build a shelter is really great survival info as well as dramatic. I personally loved the way he referred to animals and birds as different “mens.” All sorts of good survival tips, mixed into a great story.
January 28th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Arsenyev explored district south of river Amur and btw China and Tatar straight – Japanese sea some 100 years ago. To his team belonged always some local hunters as Dersu of goldi nation in movie above. A. wrote another amazing book “Through Taiga” also, hope its available in english as well.