Soviet adventure film “Sannikov’s Land”** (1973), based on the novel by Vladimir Obruchev, became a cult film, captivating viewers not only with its exciting plot, but also with stunning landscapes. Many still wonder: where were those scenes with icy deserts, volcanoes and secret caves filmed? In this article we We will analyze in detail all the key locations, used by cameraman Vadim Yusov and director Albert Mkrtchyan, and we will also reveal the secrets of what these places look like today.
The film's crew worked in extreme conditions, combining location shooting with pavilion scenery. Some scenes were filmed in Crimea, others - in the mountains Pamir and even on Kamchatka. But the most amazing thing is that some “Arctic” landscapes were actually created... in forests near Moscow using artificial snow and optical effects. Next, you will find out exactly how this was organized and which locations you can visit on your own.
1. Crimea: the main filming location of the film
Most of the outdoor scenes of “Sannikov Land” were filmed in Crimea - this is where the episodes with the ship “Saint Foka”, ice canyons and the original camp of the expedition were filmed. The main locations were:
- 🏔️ Mount Demerdzhi — scenes with “ice” rocks (actually these are limestone remains covered with artificial snow) were filmed here.
- 🌊 Laspi Bay (near Sevastopol) - the place of “landing” of the expedition on the shore of Sannikov Land.
- 🏜️ Ayan-Kaya Canyon - used for scenes with narrow gorges, where the heroes are looking for a passage.
- 🚢 Balaklava Bay — the scenery of the ship “Saint Phocas” stood here (the ship itself was built specifically for the film).
Interestingly, to create the effect of an Arctic landscape, the film crew used fine gravel, painted white, and also special filters on the camera, giving the image a cool bluish tint. Some scenes were filmed in winter, but the main work had to be postponed to the summer due to logistical difficulties.
- Yes, definitely!
- Only if there is a tour
- No, I prefer other places
- Already been there
2. Pamir: high-mountain photography and volcanoes
For the most epic landscapes - glaciers, volcanoes and endless snowy plains - the film crew went to Pamir mountains (Tajikistan). This is where they filmed:
- 🌋 Lenin Peak (7134 m) — used for scenes with the “volcano” of Sannikov Land (shown in the frame from distant angles).
- ❄️ Fedchenko Glacier - one of the largest glaciers in the world, where episodes with cracks and avalanches were filmed.
- 🏕️ Lake Karakul — its shores served as the expedition’s “base camp” in some scenes.
Filming in the Pamirs took place in extremely difficult conditions: the temperature often dropped below -20°C, and altitude sickness was taking its toll on group members. For example, for a scene with glacier collapse The cameramen had to wait several days for suitable weather, and some shots were edited together from fragments filmed in different places.
How did you create the effect of a volcanic eruption?
In the film, the “eruption” was edited from footage of a dynamite explosion on a mountainside, filmed with long exposure. Smoke was added later using pyrotechnics and optical effects.
3. Moscow region: artificial snow and pavilion decorations
Not all “Arctic” scenes were filmed in the mountains or Crimea. Part of the episodes where it was required controlled snow landscape, was created in Moscow region - on the territory film studio named after Gorky and in the surrounding forests. For example:
- 🎬 Pavilion No. 5 of the film studio - the model was built here caves with mammoth and some ship interiors.
- 🌲 Forest Park “Losiny Ostrov”** - for scenes with the “taiga” of Sannikov Land (the trees were artificially “iceed” using polystyrene foam and paint).
- ❄️ Artificial snow - created from a mixture
chalk, glue and foam chipswhich was scattered on the ground.
One of the most memorable stunts in the film is avalanche scene, which was actually filmed in a quarry near Moscow. For this we used several tons of sawdust, dropped from a height, and smoke machine to create a dust effect. The sound of an avalanche was added later during dubbing.
If you want to find the exact filming locations in the Moscow region, pay attention to the outskirts of the city Shchelkovo — it is there that some decorations from the USSR times have been preserved.
4. Kamchatka: myth or reality?
Many fans of the film are sure that some of the scenes were filmed on Kamchatka, especially episodes with geysers and thermal springs. However this common misconception! In fact:
- 🔥 Geysers in a film, these are sets created at a film studio using steam generators and colored water.
- 🌋 “Volcanoes” of Sannikov Land — footage of Lenin Peak (Pamir) and editing with explosions filmed in Crimea.
- 🚁 Aerial photography Glacier research was indeed carried out in the Pamirs, but not in Kamchatka.
However, Kamchatka is indirectly connected with the film: it was her landscapes that inspired the production designer Sergei Voronkov to create sketches of “Sannikov Land”. Some angles of the volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka can be recognized in the background footage, but it's more of an homage than actual footage.
Not a single scene of “Sannikov Land” was filmed in Kamchatka - all the “volcanic” landscapes were assembled from footage of the Pamirs and Crimea.
5. How to get to locations today: routes and tips
If you want to follow the path of the film crew, here practical recommendations by visiting key places:
| Location | How to get there | What to see | Route complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Demerdzhi (Crimea) | From Alushta by bus to the village. Radiant + hiking (3–4 hours) | Rocks “Dinosaurs”, “Val Demerdzhi”, view of the Alushta Valley | Average |
| Fedchenko Glacier (Pamir) | Flight Dushanbe - Khorog + helicopter/horse route (permission required!) | Alpine lake, icefalls, climbers' base camp | High |
| Laspi Bay (Crimea) | From Sevastopol by bus to Orlinoe village + taxi (15 km) | Twin rocks, “landing site” of the expedition, beach with pebbles | Light |
| Cinema town named after Gorky (Moscow region) | Electric train to the station. "Shchelkovo" + bus No. 32 to the film studio | Tours of the pavilions, cinema museum, preserved scenery | Light |
⚠️ Attention: To visit Pamir foreign citizens are required special permission (state border with China). In Crimea, some locations (for example, Balaklava Bay) are located on the territory of military installations - check availability in advance.
Shoes with protectors (rocks are slippery!)
Water and food (there are no cafes on the routes)
Map is offline (connection is interrupted)
A camera with a wide-angle lens
Warm clothes (it’s cool in the mountains even in summer) -->
6. Little-known facts about filming
The film "Sannikov's Land" is complete filming secretsthat few people know about:
- 🐻 Bear in the film - this is trained brown bear named Potop, which was brought from the Moscow Circus. For the “attack” scene, a body double was used in a suit.
- 🛩️ Helicopter filming in the Pamirs were carried out from the side Mi-8, but due to the thin air, the pilots had to fly at the limit of the technology's capabilities.
- 🎭 The costumes of the "Eskimos"** were made from sheepskin and sealskin, but the actors complained that it was impossible to stay in them for more than an hour due to the heat.
- 💥 Ship explosion scene was filmed in the Baltic Sea (near Kaliningrad) - the model of “Saint Phocas” was blown up with dynamite.
Another interesting fact: There is almost no computer graphics in the film (in 1973 it simply did not exist in its usual form). All effects - from an avalanche to a volcanic eruption - were created mechanically or using optical printer. For example, mammoth in the cave was made of foam and rubber, and its movement was ensured by a hidden mechanism.
7. Why does the film look so realistic?
The secret of the success of “Sannikov Land” is combinations of real landscapes and masterful editing. Director Albert Mkrtchyan and cameraman Vadim Yusov used several tricks:
- Multiple exposure — overlaying frames (for example, a glacier on the background of a volcano).
- Playing with scale — the model of the ship was filmed from a low angle to make it seem huge.
- Natural light - most scenes were filmed in “golden hour”** (morning/evening), which gave the landscapes a mystical touch.
In addition, sound design played a key role: wind noises, ice creaks and the roar of the “volcano” were recorded separately and overdubbed in the studio. For example, mammoth roar was created by slowing down and processing the sound of an elephant's trumpet call.
The film “Sannikov Land” became one of the first in the USSR to actively use combined shooting - a combination of live footage and pavilion decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to find the ship "Saint Phocas" today?
Unfortunately, the original model of the ship was not preserved - it was dismantled after filming. However, in Cinema Museum in Moscow Some details are stored, including helm And ship's bell from the movie. In Crimea (Balaklava Bay) sometimes reconstructions of filming are carried out with a miniature copy of the ship.
Is it true that there are still decorations in the Pamirs?
No, it's a myth. All temporary structures (for example, expedition tents) were dismantled immediately after filming. However, some local residents claim that in the area Lake Karakul you can find traces of the filming camp - for example, the remains metal pins for attaching decorations.
What other films were filmed on the same locations?
Crimean and Pamir landscapes more than once became the scenery for Soviet cinema. For example:
- 🎥 “Stalker”** (1979) - some scenes were filmed in the same Crimean quarries.
- 🎥 “Vertical”** (1967) - mountaineering episodes in the Pamirs.
- 🎥 "Pirates of the 20th Century"** (1979) - sea scenes in the Baltic Sea (as well as the explosion of "Saint Phocas").
Why is there so little dialogue in the film?
This is a conscious artistic technique! Director Albert Mkrtchyan wanted to convey atmosphere of silent struggle with nature, so many scenes are accompanied only music by Evgeny Krylatov and natural sounds (wind, creaking snow). Dialogue was kept to a minimum so as not to distract from the visuals.
Is it possible to organize a tour of the filming locations?
Yes, they work in Crimea and the Pamirs specialized tour operators, offering routes to film locations. For example:
- 🏕️ Crimea: excursions from Alushta tourist center (includes Demerdzhi and Laspi).
- 🏔️ Pamir: trekking tours from mountain club "Lenin Peak"** (with a visit to the Fedchenko glacier).
Cost varies from 3,000 rub. for a one-day excursion in Crimea to 50,000+ rub. for a week's trekking in the Pamirs.
⚠️ Attention: If you are planning to visit Pamir, please note that acclimatization takes 2-3 days. Without preparation, climbing to a height of more than 3,000 m may cause mountain sickness (dizziness, nausea). Be sure to take it with you oximeter and consult a guide.