Dances with Wolves

Plot

Lt. John Dunbar, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

Release Year: 1990

Rating: 8.0/10 (94,984 voted)

Critic's Score: 72/100

Director:
Kevin Costner

Stars: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene

Storyline
Lt. John Dunbar is dubbed a hero after he accidentally leads Union troops to a victory during the Civil War. He requests a position on the western frontier, but finds it deserted. He soon finds out he is not alone, but meets a wolf he dubs "Two-socks" and a curious Indian tribe. Dunbar quickly makes friends with the tribe, and discovers a white woman who was raised by the Indians. He gradually earns the respect of these native people, and sheds his white-man's ways.

Writers: Michael Blake, Michael Blake

Cast:

Kevin Costner
–

Lieutenant Dunbar

Mary McDonnell
–

Stands With A Fist

Graham Greene
–

Kicking Bird

Rodney A. Grant
–

Wind In His Hair

Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman
–

Ten Bears

(as Floyd Red Crow Westerman)

Tantoo Cardinal
–

Black Shawl

Robert Pastorelli
–

Timmons

Charles Rocket
–

Lieutenant Elgin

Maury Chaykin
–

Major Fambrough

Jimmy Herman
–

Stone Calf

Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse
–

Smiles A Lot

Michael Spears
–

Otter

Jason R. Lone Hill
–

Worm

Tony Pierce
–

Spivey

Doris Leader Charge
–

Pretty Shield

Taglines:
The journey begins this November. Discover it for yourself.

Release Date: 21 November 1990

Filming Locations: Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $19,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $598,257
(USA)
(11 November 1990)
(14 Screens)

Gross: $424,200,000
(Worldwide)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

181 min
 |
USA: 224 min
(extended version)
 |
USA: 236 min
(director's cut)
 |
(None): 236 min
(DVD special edition)

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Orion originally planned to release both this film and
The Silence of the Lambs in late 1990, and to promote both films as Oscar contenders. Their financial problems, however, forced them to choose one film over the other, and this one was released first, with Lambs being released in early 1991 instead. Executives could then wait until later in the year to begin their Oscar campaign. This resulted in Orion being able to release only one other major picture in 1991, instead of two. Since Jodie Foster appeared in Lambs, and she was being promoted as a Best Actress nominee, Orion decided to help her chances by releasing her other film
Little Man Tate, shelving
Blue Sky. Foster won Best Actress, and Blue Sky was not released for three more years, which resulted in Jessica Lange also winning Best Actress.

Goofs:

Continuity:
The size of the jerky that Dunbar is offering to the wolf. Alternately, he may be holding it in a different way.

Quotes:

John Dunbar:
[voice over]
It seems everyday ends with a miracle here. And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day

User Review

Not in top 250?

Rating: 9/10

What the heck are people thinking! There are way too many Costner bashers
on
the internet. This was a revolutionary motion picture at its time, never
has a story about the American indians ever been told with such emotion
and
grace. What a sham. For the record Costner is not that bad of an
actor.

9/10