Summary by Alan Thomas of MoviesMatter

A unique and moving portrait of two men--a Russian captain and a nomadic Asian hunter. These two, very different people become friends during a mapping expedition and are reunited years later.

In the first act of the film, we meet Dersu Uzala, the hunter, as he encounters the Captain leading a survey expedition in the far eastern Ussurii region of pre-Soviet Russia, between China and the Sea of Japan. Dersu flawlessly and modestly guides the men through their difficult mission. His display of character changes the men forever, winning their abiding affection and respect.

The second act finds the two reunited years later encountering personal, physical, and spiritual challenges as they travel in the wilderness and briefly in the city. As we see Dersu age, the film transforms into a meditation on mortality.

This movie illustrates our capacities for love and for despair, and how the simple blessing of human friendship is one of the greatest and most ennobling gifts we might experience.

Additional resources for this entry:

• IMDB listing for this film.

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This page was last updated on Monday, November 22, 2004 11:21 PM EST .