Directed by:
Kevin CostnerScreenplay:
Michael BlakeCinematography:
Dean SemlerComposer:
John BarryCast:
Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Sent to protect a US outpost on the desolate frontier, Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) finds himself alone in the vast wilderness. Befriending the very people he's sent to protect the outpost from, the Sioux Indians, Dunbar slowly comes to revere those he once feared. But when the encroaching US Army threatens to overrun the Sioux, he is forced to make a choice one that will forever change his destiny and that of a proud and defiant nation. (MGM Home Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (7)
I had long avoided the three-hour version on TV, so I went straight to the four-hour version the first time. And I must say, this is a film that grabs you by the heart, a film that makes you realize that human society is simply tragic and that it has destroyed so much, just because it wanted to, that it brings you to tears. Great acting and a wonderful presentation of a world that no longer exists.
()
A beautiful, moving film from a once promising actor and director. A few years later, Kevin Costner apparently had a lobotomy and forgot how to make great movies, but he sure has his place in the history of cinema with this one.
()
I approached this film with some contempt, western is my least favourite genre and the three hour runtime wasn’t very attractive, either, and that’s why Dance With Wolves surprised me so much – pleasantly, of course. Brilliant story, nice music, the events flow swiftly and in the end I wouldn’t have believed it was so long. To put it simply, a very good movie.
()
I don't remember the last time I felt so touched almost consistently throughout the entire running time. In its essence, a simple story with incredible power, filled to the brim with humanity. As I heard my Sioux name being called over and over, I knew for the first time who I really was.
()
One of the essential genre films in the western category, which led to the revival of this genre and marked the artistic peak for the acting star Kevin Costner, who also did well as the director. The film significantly differs from the western classics dealing with the lives of cowboys and selling the romance of tough guys and the uncompromising battle between good and evil. Costner focuses on the clash of two civilizations, where the weaker one must unwillingly give way to the white settlers, who have industry and modern science behind them. For decades, Native Americans have been portrayed in westerns as bloodthirsty bandits and primitives, Costner turns this view upside down and becomes the spokesperson for the more intellectually inclined part of today's America, which feels a sense of guilt for the disruption of the original indigenous culture. His perspective is, of course, idealized and essentially biased, as the Indian side also acted pragmatically and violated agreements of both a local character and those made with the American government whenever the opportunity arose. On both sides, people were striving for compromise and coexistence, and there were also opportunists. The progress of white civilization to the West and the emergence of today's USA had no historical alternative. Dances with Wolves is influenced by the then-popular ideology of multiculturalism, but despite all this, it is an extraordinary film that beautifully sells American nature, the romance of the wilderness, and life in harmony with it. It has excellent casting and corresponding acting performances, and it works with human emotions in a great way. It is simply impossible not to root for the character's transformation and his fight for personal happiness and the salvation of the tribe. Overall impression: 100%.
()
Kevin Costner excelled in 1990 with serious genius, when he was able to direct and mostly act in something like this, his best film. John Barry composed one of the best soundtracks of all time, and the script was also top-notch. All the Oscars are well-deserved, and a touching ending. An epic masterpiece that defined modern westerns.
()
A true cinematic delight with all the trimmings. Kevin Costner might never make another film, but this wonderful adventure makes him an immortal director for me. I purposely reserved Dances With Wolves for my 1000th rating, and as you can see, I couldn't have chosen better. This three-hour story about the most important things – friendship, understanding and devotion – is a shining example of real human nature that is limited by greed, cruelty and the lust for power. I have probably never felt so eager to intervene in the action as when the soldiers were shooting at a defenseless and trusting wolf. I think few films have deserved to cash in all the 12 Oscar nominations as much as Dances With Wolves.
()
Ads