Soviet adventure film “Sannikov Land”** (1973), based on the novel by Vladimir Obruchev, became a cult not only due to its exciting plot about the search for a mythical Arctic land, but also due to its stunning landscapes. Viewers are still arguing: where were those snowy peaks, volcanoes and glaciers that so realistically conveyed the atmosphere of the 19th century expedition actually filmed?
Unlike many modern paintings, where landscapes are created using CGI was used exclusively in “Sannikov Land” natural scenery. Film crew led by director Albert Mkrtchyan and operator Alexey Temerov I traveled halfway across the country in search of ideal locations. But where exactly? In this article we will look at all key filming locations, including little-known facts and tips for travelers who want to see them for themselves.
1. Crimea: start of the expedition and “Ice Harbor”
The first shots of the film where the expedition sets sail on a ship "Saint Phocas", starred in Sevastopol and its surroundings. Specifically - in Balaklava Bay, which perfectly matched the image of the old harbor. Interestingly, they used a real sailboat for filming. "Comrade" (built in 1932), which later became a museum in Odessa.
And here is the famous scene with "Ice Harbor", where the ship is locked in ice, was filmed on Lake Donuzlav - the largest salt lake in Crimea. The film crew chose it because of its unique combination of mountains and water, reminiscent of Arctic fiords. Today it is a popular place for kitesurfing, but few people know that it was here that the ship of the main characters “sank”.
- 📍 Balaklava Bay — start of the expedition (coordinates: 44.5036° N, 33.5956° E)
- ⛵ Sailboat "Comrade"** - a ship from the film (now a museum in Odessa)
- 🏔️ Lake Donuzlav — “Ice Harbor” (coordinates: 45.45° N, 32.8° E)
⚠️ Attention: In the 2020s, access to some areas of Donuzlav is limited due to military infrastructure. Before visiting, check with local guides for up-to-date information.
2. Caucasus: mountain scenes and “volcanoes” of Sannikov Land
The main mountain landscapes that were presented as Sannikov Land, filmed on Caucasus - in Kabardino-Balkaria And Karachay-Cherkessia. The film crew worked in the area Elbrus group of volcanoes, but for the “Arctic” scenes they chose lesser-known peaks:
- 🌋 Mount Shhelda (3700 m) - “volcano” of Sannikov Land (coordinates: 43.27° N, 42.6° E)
- ❄️ Bezengi Glacier — scenes with avalanches and snow canyons
- 🏕️ Valley of Narzans (Kislovodsk) - “warm springs” of the mythical land
Fun fact: for filming avalanches, which almost dies the expedition, was used natural snow, dropped from a helicopter. This scene became one of the most dangerous - the actors had to run down the slope after a real mass of snow!
| Location | What was filmed | Difficulty of access | Season to visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Shhelda | Volcano of Sannikov Land | Medium (tracking 2-3 days) | June–September |
| Bezengi Glacier | Snow Canyons | High (climbing training) | July–August |
| Valley of Narzans | Warm springs | Easy (accessible by car) | May–October |
- Only if there is a guarantee of return
- Yes, my life's dream!
- No, it's too dangerous
- First I want to go to the film locations
3. Pamir: the “north pole” of the film and the most extreme filming
The most epic and dangerous scenes of the film were filmed on Pamir - in Tajikistan. This is where they found a replacement for Arctic ice: a high mountain plateau Murghab (3600 m above sea level) with its eternal snows and glaciers. The film crew lived in tents at −20°C, and the actors often acted without stand-ins.
Key Pamir locations in the film:
- ⛰️ Lenin Peak (7134 m) - background for “northern” panoramas
- 🏔️ Fedchenko Glacier - the longest glacier in Eurasia (77 km), where transition scenes were filmed
- 🚁 Helipad near Lake Karakul - “expedition base”
An interesting technical point: a helicopter was used for aerial filming Mi-4, but due to the thin air it barely rose above 4000 m. The operator had to work with the door open, risking frostbite!
If you plan to visit the Pamirs, acclimatize in advance in Dushanbe or Khorog - a sharp rise in altitude can cause altitude sickness.
4. Central Asia: “warm” scenes and contrasts
Contrasting scenes where the expedition finds itself in the “warm” zones of Sannikov Land were filmed in Uzbekistan And Turkmenistan. For example, desert dunes about Samarkand passed off as the “sandy plains” of the mythical land, and the oases around Bukhara - for “tropical” areas.
One of the most memorable places - canyon Arman-Sai in Uzbekistan (near the city Jizzakh). Scenes were filmed here caves and underground rivers, which in the film were presented as the internal territories of Sannikov Land. Today the canyon is popular among speleologists, but few people know its “cinematic” past.
⚠️ Attention: In Turkmenistan, filming took place in a closed area Karakum - Today, special permission from local authorities is required to visit.
How were the “tropical” scenes filmed in the USSR?
To create the illusion of the tropics, greenhouse plants from the botanical gardens of Tashkent were used. They were transported to locations in trucks and placed behind the scenes before being edited into the film.
5. Pavlodar region (Kazakhstan): “polar station” and final scenes
The final shots, where the expedition returns to the “mainland”, were filmed in Kazakhstan - in Pavlodar region. Here on the river bank Irtysh built the scenery "polar station", which in the film was presented as a Russian scientific base.
It’s interesting that they used for filming real houses of local fishermen, which were temporarily “turned” into Arctic buildings. Today there is a fishing base on this site, but some buildings from the 1970s can still be recognized.
| Location | What was filmed | Is it still there today? |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of the Irtysh (Pavlodar) | Polar station | Partially (fishing base) |
| Neighborhood of the village of Lebyazhye | Final return scenes | Yes (landscapes have not changed) |
6. How to get to the movie locations today: route for travelers
If you wanted to follow the path of the film crew, here optimal route (calculated for 14–21 days):
- Crimea (5 days): Sevastopol → Balaklava → Lake Donuzlav.
- Caucasus (7 days): Mineralnye Vody → Bezengi valley → Mount Shhelda.
- Pamir (5 days): Dushanbe → Khorog → Fedchenko glacier (trekking).
- Central Asia (3 days): Samarkand → Arman-Sai canyon.
Tips for travelers:
- 📄 For Pamir and Turkmenistan, apply for permits in advance.
- 🚗 In the Caucasus and Crimea, rent an SUV - many locations have no roads.
- 🧭 Use offline maps (for example, Maps.me) - communication in the mountains is unstable.
☑️ What to take on an expedition to film locations
7. Myths and reality: what from the film is true and what is fiction
The film is based on the novel Vladimir Obruchev, who was himself a geologist and traveler. But how much truth is there in it?
- ✅ Real prototypes: Obruchev was inspired by stories about
Sannikov Land- a mythical island that polar explorers allegedly saw in the 19th century. - ❌ Fictional details: Volcanoes and warm springs on “Sannikov Land” are pure fantasy. There are no active volcanoes in the Arctic.
- 🔍 Scientific basis: The "warm land behind the ice" theory has been disproven, but was still discussed in the 1970s.
Obruchev himself admitted that his novel is "scientific fantasy", but many details (for example, descriptions of glaciers) are based on real expeditions. But the film crew went further: they created a visually credible illusion, mixing the Caucasus, Pamir and Central Asia so that the audience believed in the existence of Sannikov Land!
The film “Sannikov Land” is a unique example when real locations of the USSR were transformed into a mythical world without computer graphics. This was made possible thanks to the skill of the cameraman and the bold choice of filming locations.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about film locations
Is it possible to visit all the locations of the film today?
Most places are accessible, but some (for example, areas in Turkmenistan or the Pamirs) require special permits. In Crimea, due to the political situation, there may be restrictions for foreign tourists.
Is it true that the actors climbed the mountains themselves without understudies?
Yes, from memory Oleg Dahl (performer of the role of Gurov), many scenes were filmed without stuntmen. For example, the actors played the episode with the avalanche on the Bezengi glacier themselves, and dropped the snow from a helicopter.
Where is the ship "Saint Phocas" from the film now?
sailboat "Comrade", who played the role of "Saint Phocas", now stands in Odessa Maritime Museum (Ukraine). Unfortunately, due to the war, access to the museum may be limited.
Why didn’t they use the real Arctic for filming?
In the 1970s, Soviet film technology was not equipped to work in extreme arctic conditions. Plus, the logistics of filming in the Arctic would be extremely expensive. The Caucasus and Pamirs turned out to be more accessible alternatives.
Are there tours of the film locations?
Yes, some tour operators (for example, "Wild Mountains" in the Caucasus or "Pamir Track" in Tajikistan) offer routes focusing on filming locations. Cost - from 50,000 rubles per person (including guide and transport).