Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18307 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

Dances With Brilliance
Kevin Costner has always been one of those actors you either love or hate, much like the singing and celebrity of Victoria Beckham or Marmite.

It is unfortunate then, that it is these personal feelings which cloud judgement about whether or not to see a film. Because, in a time when the idea of race relations is once again at the forefront of the news, this simple story of a man open to change can tell us a lot.

Lt John Dunbar (Coster) is a civil war hero. Given the choice of outpost as a reward for a selfless act on the battlefield, he picks the furthest place he can find, the prairee. Also known as Indian country.

Far from being the war-mongering madmen his superiors are presented as, Dunbar is a quiet, docile man, eager to learn and thoughtful. He writes a diary, in which he places great importance, and when his Indian neighbours first show up, he is scared but also intrigued.

What follows over the next three hours is a beautiful, poetic story of friendship, love and honour amongst men. Costner, in his directorial debut paints a wonderful canvass, rich in colour and tone. Characters are well fleshed out, and all given a story perhaps worthy of a film of their own. He presents the Indians not as hostile, but as a simple, spirtitual people, oppressed and scared.

Dances With Wolves is a rarity. Its beauty and story have rarely been matched in silver screen history, and despite what may have been said, it is my opinion that its Best Film Oscar was well deserved.

I can't say this clearly enough - see this movie.

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!)...