I haven’t seen it yet but at least you can see it here on The Auteurs (in America at least). I have never heard much about it but I like what you said about it…I’ll have to give it a look.
I’d say that while I’d like a Criterion release of Dersu Uzala, there is a decent release of this by Kino, so I’d give priority to other Kurosawa films. Like The Quiet Duel, or the two Sanshiro Sugatas.
I think Mark’s motion deserves a second. Not being filmed in Japan gives this film a unique feel among Kurosawa’s catalog. The wilderness scenes are stunning and Dersu Uzala himself if a wonderful character. Sure its no Seven Samurai or Ran, but it’s well worth seeing and needs the Criterion treatment.
Absolutely. He won the foreign film Oscar for it, although that isn’t the only reason why it is so deserving.
I own the Kino version of the film but it leaves me feeling very empty handed (there are no special features at all!). It deserves the essays and special features that only are available in the collection. It was the film that saved Kurosawa from the edge of death (he had recently attempted suicide and this film, which he had wanted to create for a long time, resurrected him, plus it’s utterly unique in his filmography). On the technical level, it’s a true epic and the last of its kind (70mm) but, unfortunately, rarely seen and vastly underrated (I’m in the minority here but it’s my favorite epic, even beating out Lawrence of Arabia and Andrei Rublev).
Is this film similar in tone to Andrei Rublev?
(sorry, double post)
They have very different tones—Tarkovsky’s is black and white and often austere, being a spiritual epic, while Kurosawa’s is in color and quite nostalgic, being a nature epic.
@ Joshua W – The Sanshiro Sugata’s ARE being added now in the massive AK boxset.
I as well own the Kino version and the picture quality and special features of it aaren’t what you would call “memorable”. It truly needs a new restored release, Criterion would be preferable for this.
As for the person who said The Quiet Duel, I agree as well on that one. I think I remember reading they wanted it in the Eclipse set but could not get the rights to it. Great film, one of Mifune’s better performances.
CJ Roy, it was me that mentioned Quiet Duel. I think that should be top priority, I have a copy but it is uglyyyy. My Kino Dersu Uzala isn’t the best, but it’s not bad picture quality is better than the terrible copies of several of Kurosawas films. I’m excited for the Sanshiro Sugata additions, but it’s going to take a while for them to make them separate releases and I’m not sure I can justify buying the AK box set for 5 movies I don’t already have.
As yes, both are in the same post. I remember the picture not being great and I really hope someone releases restored print. I still love the case for the US version though and at least it has a DVD release for now.
I agree with you totally. The DVD I own (pirated DVD because of the country I live in) seems to be a russian release, with a quality no more impressive than a VHS ripped movie. This film is the true masterpiece of Kurosawa and has a poetic and beautiful spirit which no movie comes near to it. Criterion must do something about it! It deserves a Criterion release.
Dersu Uzala’s exclusion is unfathomable. It’s Kurosawa’s late masterpiece. His wisest, most beautiful, most human film. Here Criterion has the chance to live up to their claims and preserve an important work.
We have to make this happen. Send them an email suggesting it. suggestions@criterion.com
true. never been released on american home video before
Graveyard Poet
Nearly all of Kurosawa’s oeuvre is now in the Criterion Collection except my personal favorite—Dersu Uzala. It’s the hidden gem of his career and arguably his greatest epic. It’s one of the greatest films concerning nature and it has a poetic sublimity which is rare and sets it apart from his other films.
Your thoughts?