Young Russian scientist Vladimir Arsenyev has been studying the Ussuri region of the Russian Empire. In the forest, he meets a hunter, Dersu Uzaloy, who becomes his guide and faithful friend. Dersu surprises Arsenyev with his excellent knowledge of the taiga, the ability to read it like an open book and his special relationship with nature.  Traveling through the taiga, the group is faced with a tiger, which Dersu banishes with the power of persuasion.  This, and many other adventures, some of which threaten life and limb, brings the Russian and Dersu closer together.  The Russians must make it to the Sea of Japan by winter, which is rapidly closing in on them.  Will Dersu be able to bring them to civilization and safety?  This little-known 1961, Soviet version is the worthy predecessor to the 1975 version made by Kurosawa, which brought him back from the brink of a seemingly failed career. 

DVD-R is in Russian with switchable English subtitles. Approx. 81 mins. See film sample for audio and visual quality!