Dersu Uzala

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Summary: Like my Wife's Grandfather, and Other Alaskans I've Met
Review: If there is one movie that should be seen over every year, this is it! It reminds us of the tenuous relationship between cultures based on survival in the natural world and those based on mankind's invented structures, and how easily respect for the former can be lost by the later. I've been privileged to live in similar country and encounter similar people, who, like Dersu, I reacted to much as the Russian Captain. My wife, a Tlingit Indian, also says Dersu reminds her very much of her grandfather.

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Summary: Dersu Uzala
Review: It is a beautiful movie to watch, and the friendship that develops between the captain and Dersu is touching. I hadn't seen it in many years but found it interesting that Dersu's speech patterns and lessons reminded me of Yoda. I realize that that sounds pedestrian, but I am wondering if Lucas had the same thought in mind. While the letterbox viewed on a TV is not nearly as impressive as the full screen movie experience, having the subtitles not intrude on such a beautiful film is a plus.

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Summary: One of the Best
Review: It was indeed based on Arseniev's account of his sojourn in the taiga off Kamkatcha or thereabouts. He and his team of scientists get lost, and survive thanks to Dersu's help, basically. I saw it way back in the late seventies, and again a few years ago. Today it is even more poignant because the message is still relevant.

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Summary: With no doubt a Masterpiece!
Review: It's the story of a simple man, Dersu Uzala, from Siberia, living all year long in the woods, respecting and understanding Mother Nature. He was discovered by a Russian military cartographer that, thanks to Dersu, learned how to understand nature at the point--something which saved his own life. It's a peaceful story, full of beauty and respect for life.

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Summary: Touching!
Review: Just showed the film to my girlfriend. This is my fourth time watching it. I just got this movie on dvd a few months ago. Decent transfer. I'm glad they did the transfer though. Not many people know of this movie. They rather do a transfer of "American Pie" than this movie! Overall, this is a great movie. One of Kurosawa's best! I rank this movie up there with "The Seven Samurai". It's a beautiful story with great characters, beautiful sceneries, and a touching ending. It's basically in my top ten movies of all time! If you haven't seen it, check it out, be patient and the reward will come. I think that's the key. With any good foreign movie, you have to give it "patience". Let the images go through you, transform you to another time and place. That's what you get when you watch poetry at work. It's a painting; all the colors and movements form to give you the whole picture. And this movie is like that. It moves you. I promise--you'll remember it for the rest of your life!

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Summary: Great Film, Lousy DVD
Review: Kino once again takes a great film and gives it the hatchet treatment. In fairness, I suppose that Kino puts out films that aren't likely to have the popular appeal (and price tags) of those issued by Criterion. But that's no excuse for taking non-anamorphic transfers of 'Scope films from lousy prints. At least they didn't put in hard subs this time.

Rating:
Summary: Great Film, Lousy DVD
Review: Kino once again takes a great film and gives it the hatchet treatment. In fairness, I suppose that Kino puts out films that aren't likely to have the popular appeal (and price tags) of those issued by Criterion. But that's no excuse for taking non-anamorphic transfers of 'Scope films from lousy prints. At least they didn't put in hard subs this time.

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Summary: An out-of-the-way masterpiece
Review: Kurosawa had to go all the way to Siberia to regenerate his career in films (after his lambasting with "Dodes-kaden," which prompted a suicide attempt). Yet he managed to make a film entirely congruent with his concerns. "Dersu Uzala" is about heroism - a subject familiar to any Kurosawa enthusiast. And the photography is particularly exquisite. This is so much more than an episode in the life of a misunderstood genius. "Dersu" almost exceeds most of Kurosawa's other work of the '60s. Hereafter he would be an 'international' filmmaker.

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Summary: Kurosawa was a visionary.
Review: Kurosawa was a visionary of world cinema. Few can touch him when his imagination is at his best. 'Dersu Uzala' has mind-blowing scenes which will stay with you for life.

Rating:
Summary: Kurosawa was a visionary.
Review: Kurosawa was a visionary of world cinema. Few can touch him when his imagination is at his best. 'Dersu Uzala' has mind-blowing scenes which will stay with you for life.