Dances with Wolves
Dances with Wolves

Dances with Wolves

1990Movie181 minEnglish

Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users88%
Director: Kevin CostnerGenres: Western, Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

A Civil War soldier, disillusioned with the conflict, finds himself on the western frontier. After an encounter with the Lakota Sioux, he becomes integrated into their tribe, learning their ways and finding a sense of belonging he never expected. As he forms deep bonds with the people and their culture, he must ultimately choose where his true loyalties lie when the arrival of the U.S. Army threatens their way of life.

Critical Reception

Dances with Wolves was a critical and commercial success, lauded for its epic scope, stunning cinematography, and sensitive portrayal of Native American culture. While some critics noted its length and perceived romanticization, the film was widely praised for its ambition and emotional resonance, earning numerous accolades.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking visuals and immersive storytelling.
  • Applauded for its respectful and empathetic depiction of the Lakota Sioux.
  • Felt by some to be overly long and perhaps idealized in its portrayal of the West.

Google audience: Audiences generally loved the film's grand scale, emotional depth, and the compelling performance by Kevin Costner. Many appreciated the connection made with the Native American characters and the exploration of cultural understanding.

Awards & Accolades

Winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Nominated for 12.

Fun Fact

Kevin Costner initially had trouble finding a studio to finance the film because they were hesitant about its length and the casting of a relatively unknown director.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

There are two actor of recent years that I really struggle with. One is Tom Hanks, the other is Kevin Costner. His monotonic narrative as he conveys this story via his journal makes this otherwise breathtakingly beautiful story frequently a...
Gimly

Gimly

I watched the extended version of this film, and I just have to say, any film that can run for FOUR HOURS and not come out the other end as a boring pile of garbage, is worthy of some pretty serious praise. That said, _Dances with Wolves_ i...
Steve Butterworth

Steve Butterwort...

One of my all-time favorite movies. I can't begin to remember how many times I've seen it. And I'll watch it again. Kevin Costner gives a compelling performance, but so does the entire cast. One gets a great sense of who the Lakota were...