Dances with Wolves

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic film which tells the story of a United States Lieutenant who travels to the American Frontier to find a military post. He eventually befriends a local Sioux tribe. Developed by director/star Kevin Costner over 5 years, the film (released November 9, 1990) has high production values and won 7 Academy Awards (1990) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama. Much of the dialogue is in the Lakota language with English subtitles, unusual for a film at the time of its release. It was shot in South Dakota, Kansas, and Wyoming.

In 2007, Dances with Wolves was selected for preservation in the United States National Film

Main Casts
Kevin Costner as Lt. John J. Dunbar/Dances With Wolves
Mary McDonnell as Stands With A Fist
Graham Greene as Kicking Bird
Rodney A. Grant as Wind In His Hair
Floyd Red Crow Westerman as Chief Ten Bears
Tantoo Cardinal as Black Shawl
Jimmy Herman as Stone Calf
Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse as Smiles A Lot
Michael Spears as Otter
Jason R. Lone Hill as Worm
Charles Rocket as Lt. Elgin
Robert Pastorelli as Timmons
Larry Joshua as Sgt. Bauer
Tony Pierce as Spivey
Tom Everett as Sgt. Pepper
Maury Chaykin as Maj. Fambrough

Directed by Kevin Costner

DVD Review
By D. Roberts "Hadrian12" (Battle Creek, Michigan United States)
This review is from: Dances with Wolves (Widescreen Edition) (DVD)

In a word,this movie is wondrous. It gives a view of the Native American culture which used to rule this landmass with a perspicacity and verisimilitude never before seen in an American movie theater. This is truly a great American epic.

Kevin Costner, who is normally as bland as the Sahara desert, delivers the best performance of his career. Although not the most exciting actor in cinema, Costner was nonetheless perfect for this part (just as William Shatner was perfect for Captain Kirk, despite his limited acting ability). Costner's direction, too, was impeccable. The rest of the cast, including Graham Greene and Mary McDonnel, team up to create an instant classic.

The film takes place in the mid-1860s. The Civil War is winding down and the Union Army has begun its invasion westward into American Indian country. In other words, it takes place at an epoch that, looking back, would prove to be the beginning of the end for the Western American Indian way of life. This movie is about the last days of an extraordinary culture which would find its end all too abruptly.

The story centers around a Union Army soldier named John Dunbar (Costner). He ends up on an abandoned outpost out in the middle of the plain states. During his pseudo-hermitage, he encounters a tribe of Sioux Indians. Luckily for him, they prove to be friendly and it is the forging of their relationship(s) with him that form the core of the movie's plot.
This is an exceptional, powerful movie that is suitable for the entire family. It has a few scenes of mild violence, but is far less graphic than what is shown on Television series every night. The soundtrack, written by John Barry, is top notch and is integrated into the movie to an extent [both in emotional importance and in appropriate timing] that surpasses any movie score I've ever heard. This is a truly poignant film which can't help but move all who view it. As far as American movies go, this one is a must-see in my book.

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Dances with Wolves Movie Trailer


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