Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18397 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-10-11
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 227 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Kevin Costner's 1990 epic won a bundle of Oscars for a moving, engrossing story of a white soldier (Costner) who singlehandedly mans a post in the 1870 Dakotas, and becomes a part of the Lakota Sioux community who live nearby. The film may not be a masterpiece, but it is far more than the sum of good intentions. The characters are strong, the development of relationships is both ambitious and careful, the love story between Costner and Mary McDonnell's character is captivating. Only the third-act portrait of white intruders as morons feels overbearing, but even that leads to a terribly moving conclusion. Costner's direction is assured, the balance of action and intimacy is perfect--what more could anyone want outside of an unqualified masterpiece? --Tom Keogh

Synopsis
In 1865, Civil War hero Lt. John Dunbar asks to be reassigned to the western frontier before it disappears. At his isolated post he develops a relationship with the peaceful Lakota Sioux and a white woman who lives among them, finding greater kinship with them than with his own people.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant!
I initially watched this again, having watched it years ago, after hearing the theme on Classic FM. I had forgotten how good this film is. This is one of those movies to see before you die.
The story of one man's relationship with a tribe of Sioux indians, before white settlers arrived en masse, and destroyed a way of life that existed for thousands of years. A slow moving tale, but beautifully told.
Not preachy, but a clear telling of the abuses suffered by Native American Indians.
A long movie at over 2.5 hours, but well worth it.
My wife and two teenagers didn't fancy it in the slightest, but once they started watching they were gripped.
Unreservedly recommend.

A masterpiece
A magnificient film depicting the 1860's America. While the country is ravaged by a bloody civil war; the wild and vast great plains are invaded by the marauding army and settlers. The pasture and the local people is massacred. The animals are killed carelessly for profits, the Sioux (in the film) is forced away from their ancestral grounds. The film depicts the life of an officer who is fed up with the capitalist way of life. Meaningless and wandering he comes across with a civilisation more simple but more sophisticated than his. He rediscovers himself and starts a new life among the Sioux. They are trustworthy people, never double dealing but straightforward. They respect the environment, animals etc. and they are at peace with the earthly things. There are very significant people in the film who have small roles but they are important for their meanings.A black officer in the Southern Army, the insane officer of the North committing suicide, a tradesmen who is a symbol of a growing enterprise, a warrior of Pawnee disliking all men (wonderful Wes Studi), a wise Sioux chief with a centuries old trophy (a conquistador helmet!)...

Lack of wolves but otherwise quite good fun
Another misleading title, as nowhere in the film are there wolves, let alone people dancing with them. I had been quite excited at the prospect of watching Kevin Costner waltz with a husky wolf, but alas this was not to be.
Now re-released on DVD in it's original seven and a half hour cut, 'Dances With Wolves' is spread over three discs with another four discs of bonus material. (Two of the bonus discs are interviews with Costner and are rather tedious.)
The storyline is quite straightforward; Lieutenent Jack Dunglass has returned from the Spanish civil war with memory loss and is seeking a new place to live. He stumbles into Indian territory by accident and becomes 'adopted' by a pack of backward Indian inbreds. They show him what it means to be a true Indian and it isnt long before Costner is mucking in with their gang and hunting buffalo and wildebeast in the desert.
Costner is acceptable in the role, if not a little ropey with his delivery. As this was his first film, he clearly isnt used to being in front of a camera. More compelling is Morgan Freeman as Chief Wanama, who uses his skill as an Indian actor to great effect, managing to tap into the culture and emotions of the native tribe.
My favourite scene is the part where Costner marries a young Indian woman and then as part of the marriage ritual burns her on a totem pole. This was shocking but interesting viewing.
One to rent, I borrowed mine off my friend and haven't returned it yet. I wanted to keep it because I don't have any films beginning with the letter 'D' in my collection and it makes my film library look more complete.