Dances With Wolves

Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Western, Action, Drama
Box Office: $
1990

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) is assigned to a position on the American frontier. He arrives to find the location deserted, yet still serves his duty in solitude. He befriends a wolf, as well as a Sioux Indian tribe. As he grows closer to his new friends, he begins to leave his old world behind.

Review:

Tim: This is a sweeping, beautiful Western epic. The compelling story takes us inside the Sioux Indian culture in an honest, uncompromising way. What is literally shocking is how much we identify with the tribe and how startlingly we react at seeing the white culture again.

Kevin Costner deserves an unbelievable heaping of praise for the way this movie turned out. From behind the camera, he directs an engrossing, beautiful, and moving film. Well made movies like this do not come along every day, and we should be thankful when they do. In front of the camera, Costner followed up his excellent performance in Field of Dreams with this superb-effort. He is so many things- charming, funny, and emotional- the range of emotion he shows is remarkable and he wholeheartedly earns his Best Actor nomination.

Dances With Wolves cleaned up at the Academy Awards, winning 7 statues after being nominated for 12. This is the kind of epic that the Academy loves, and for good reason. I often feel that this film is overlooked and should rank more prominently in film lovers' hearts and minds.

There is so much to love in this movie. The buffalo hunt scene is truly jawdropping. It is well worth your time. The entire film has such a powerful story and is told so boldly and beautifully. This ranks as one of the most honest and best Native American movies to ever come out of Hollywood. Costner has created an incredibly important film here and even further endears himself into my heart- Field of Dreams and Dances With Wolves secures his place as one of the greats.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Field of Dreams, Open Range, Waterworld