Dances with Wolves
Orion Pictures Corporation | Release Date: November 9, 1990
8.5
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 235 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
215
Mixed:
15
Negative:
5
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
Mustang25827Jun 24, 2014
Dances with wolves is something that you don't see in movies now a days and it speaks to you In away that movies should this without a doubt one of my favorite movies of all time
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
TheWalrus2000Mar 9, 2013
With its great direction and extremely well acted and written plot, Dances With Wolves suceeds in all standards.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
FlickLoverMay 29, 2015
Marvelous storytelling. An epic movie that drew me in, and made me one with it's leading character as he became one with the land and its people. It is romantic, adventurous, war-torn, violent, peaceful, and lovely. It is full of love,Marvelous storytelling. An epic movie that drew me in, and made me one with it's leading character as he became one with the land and its people. It is romantic, adventurous, war-torn, violent, peaceful, and lovely. It is full of love, hate, misunderstanding and guidance. Dances with Wolves is a picture of mankind at both its best... and worst.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
Naruto78909Dec 10, 2017
Its a very good film it explains the civil war and how the civil war started its about how the Indians were mistreated and how 1 man becomes a traitor and joins the Indians and you learn how their people and not savages
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
amheretojudgeJul 2, 2018
a rhythmic beat that values..
2 July 2018
Dances With Wolves 4 Out Of 5 Dance With Wolves is a character driven feature of an all-lost man that is ready to survive and mold itself into any shape or form for one more chance. The chemistrya rhythmic beat that values..
2 July 2018
Dances With Wolves

4 Out Of 5

Dance With Wolves is a character driven feature of an all-lost man that is ready to survive and mold itself into any shape or form for one more chance. The chemistry and the relationship that is built-up among the characters is depicted form the scratch that helps the viewers too connect with the feature; a slick move by the makers. It is rich on technical aspects like costume design, sound department, background score, cinematography and editing. It is shot beautifully and the camera work is charming and makes it immensely pleasing to encounter with great locations and visuals. The writing is strong especially on character's perspective that is judged, accounted and balanced upon nicely. The adaptation by Michael Blake of his own novel, is smart and gripping and the primary reason why it works is his awareness of the characters image and the palpable environment offered to it, since the beginning. Kevin Costner; the director, is surprisingly good considering that it is his first project, as it shows a lot of potential since such character driven feature can easily come off as a dull and over-chewing feature if not executed accordingly. Kevin Costner as the protagonist is convincing in his performance along with his supporting cast like Marry McDonnell and Graham Greene. Dance With Wolves is a rhythmic beat that values its culture and rituals that binds it all to create something colossal out of a mere gesture.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
geewahJan 27, 2021
While it's a pretty good movie, how this won best Oscar over Goodfellas or even Awakenings is a surprise.
While the message being conveyed is an important one, it is done so in quite a simplistic manner.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
UsmanA.Jun 6, 2006
its a briliant film. explains the civil war and how america split up because of slavery. 1 man changes from being a hero to being a traitor.
2 of 3 users found this helpful
10
ECJul 1, 2007
A marvelous film. Many powerful sequences, some memorable characters, lush and evocative cinematography in the right places. Not too many movies leave you feeling enriched, but this one does.
2 of 3 users found this helpful
9
ShahmeerJun 18, 2011
Dances With Wolves is the 1990s version of Avatar. Wait, let me rephrase that; Avatar is a 2000's version of Dances With Wolves. It's well-done, exciting, and truly emotional. It's Kevin Costner's best film,for none of his other's can beatDances With Wolves is the 1990s version of Avatar. Wait, let me rephrase that; Avatar is a 2000's version of Dances With Wolves. It's well-done, exciting, and truly emotional. It's Kevin Costner's best film,for none of his other's can beat it. It gets you emotionally drawn to the film throughout, and you never want any of the characters to be forgotten. While watching the film, I quickly realized it resembled many characteristics that I had seen in previous movies. The cinematography, the acting, and the story had all been recreated in films that had come out after the movie, and this was a basic beginner of many films in Hollywood. ItÃ¢â… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
jakub02Jan 12, 2012
A very good, even though a little bit naive movie. Kevin Costner is one of the worst actors I've ever seen, but he seems to work well for this particular one - plus the supporting cast really did their best. The plot is really simple, but itA very good, even though a little bit naive movie. Kevin Costner is one of the worst actors I've ever seen, but he seems to work well for this particular one - plus the supporting cast really did their best. The plot is really simple, but it can keep the viewer interested, and the part when Dunbar got to be friends with the Sioux was heartwarming. Beautiful visuals and music complete a movie that is definitely worth watching.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
MovieLonely94Oct 31, 2010
its like Avatar with indians in this entertaining movie.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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8
CritiqueGirlMar 1, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. A great story with great acting and directing. Although it has conflict with Native Americans it was really nice to see a story with such great humanity and friendship with them. It is seriously long andI thoroughly enjoyed this movie. A great story with great acting and directing. Although it has conflict with Native Americans it was really nice to see a story with such great humanity and friendship with them. It is seriously long and honestly, I don't think I could ever watch it again but it was great.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
asbeloliverMar 6, 2012
a great film where you look, with a technical section that nothing blockbusters envy, besides being a heartwarming story of valuesâ
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
SpangleFeb 25, 2014
Phenomenal film. First off, the cinematography is breathtaking. Just absolutely stunning. The mise en scene, as a whole, is great as well as the scenery was top-notch. In addition, the soundtrack made me absolutely swoon. If I had not alreadyPhenomenal film. First off, the cinematography is breathtaking. Just absolutely stunning. The mise en scene, as a whole, is great as well as the scenery was top-notch. In addition, the soundtrack made me absolutely swoon. If I had not already been swept off of my feet, the soundtrack would have swept me off my feet, but in the end, it just serves as further evidence of the sheer beauty of this film. Just wow. In terms of the story, I thought it, as well, was beautifully presented. From the early encounters to the very end, there is a certain beauty to the interaction between the characters as Dunbar adjusts to his new situation. In terms of the acting, Kevin Costner and a cast of relative unknowns did a great job. Initially, I was unsure about Costner and did not like his performance that much in the beginning, but as the film progressed, he won me over completely. The final note I want to make is on the length. It is three hours, so it is up there in terms of time, but it never really shows its length. Instead, it almost tricks you into thinking it is much shorter in the way it utilizes every second to tell its story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
gracjanskiDec 30, 2020
What a beautiful epic movie. Dialogues full of wisdom, story with a big meaning, beautiful landscape and music. The movie shows a lot of indian culture and touched me, because I understand the ugly side of our "civilisation" very well andWhat a beautiful epic movie. Dialogues full of wisdom, story with a big meaning, beautiful landscape and music. The movie shows a lot of indian culture and touched me, because I understand the ugly side of our "civilisation" very well and like the free spirit of the wild life. Anyway sometimes the movie showed his antipathy towards the white culture too much.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
GiroJun 15, 2014
Dances with Wolves is maybe THE masterpiece of Costner's career. As producer and leading role, he manages to reproduce the magnificent western atmosphere that we find in the book written by Michael Blake. The story is centered on the meetingDances with Wolves is maybe THE masterpiece of Costner's career. As producer and leading role, he manages to reproduce the magnificent western atmosphere that we find in the book written by Michael Blake. The story is centered on the meeting of two cultures -Indian and American- in a context of civil war, in a part of the country not conquered by the army yet. Although the four and half hour of the long version may seem too much, don't expect you to fall asleep! I suggest you to reserve your evening to enjoy this masterwork, both visually and audibly, thanks to John Barry's music.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
kyle20ellisMar 17, 2022
Along with Edward Scissorhands and Goodfellas, Dances with Wolves is one of my favourites of 1990. It is a wonderful film, and a marvel from beginning to end. I am not a Kevin Costner basher, he has done some work I don't care for, but thisAlong with Edward Scissorhands and Goodfellas, Dances with Wolves is one of my favourites of 1990. It is a wonderful film, and a marvel from beginning to end. I am not a Kevin Costner basher, he has done some work I don't care for, but this and a few others(Field of Dreams for instance) actually does show he has talent. He does do a heartfelt job directing, and his acting isn't too shabby either, in fact he gives a certain decency to Dunbar which I had difficulty not empathising with. He is very well supported by Graheme Greene and Mary McDonell who is especially brilliant. The cinematography and scenery are just magnificent, while John Barry's score is nothing short of amazing. The moving climax gives further emotional weight to an already poignant story, while the script is wholly credible and the characters feel real. In conclusion, a fine film and I had no problem with its Best Picture win. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
gameguardian21Aug 25, 2016
Dances with wolves is a great classic. The only reason I'd give it a eight is because after the second act, it just isn't as engaging as the first two acts. Besides that, I enjoyed this movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
MovieMasterEddyApr 9, 2016
In his directorial debut, Kevin Costner brings a rare degree of grace and feeling to this elegiac tale of a hero’s adventure of discovery among the Sioux Indians on the pristine Dakota plains of the 1860s.

Costner stars as Lt. John Dunbar,In his directorial debut, Kevin Costner brings a rare degree of grace and feeling to this elegiac tale of a hero’s adventure of discovery among the Sioux Indians on the pristine Dakota plains of the 1860s.

Costner stars as Lt. John Dunbar, a Union officer in the Civil War invited to choose his own post after an act of heroism. Opting for the farthest reaches of the frontier because he “Wants to see it before it disappears,” he transplants himself from a weary and cynical war culture to the windswept clarity of the Dakota plains.

Arriving at the remote outpost assigned him by an insane major (Maury Chaykin), Dunbar finds it deserted and, to the disbelief of his wagon driver (Robert Pastorelli), opts to unload his provisions and stay.

His only company as he passes the days are his horse, a gangling wolf who keeps a nervous distance, and, finally, a Sioux Indian who tries to steal the horse and is frightened off by Dunbar.

Because whites and Indians automatically killed each other upon meeting, each party lived in ignorance of the other. Dunbar’s virtue is that he resists violence, putting himself at risk with the Sioux until they trust him and accept him.

Dunbar keeps a journal, hoping to create “a trail for others to follow.” He discovers a culture so deeply refreshing to his spirit, compared with the detritus he’s left behind, that, by the time the U.S. Army bothers to look for him, he has become a Sioux and his name is Dances With Wolves.

Of course, the Union soldiers completely misunderstand his purposes, giving pic the tragic cast this saga historically deserves.

Script by Michael Blake portrays the Sioux culture with appreciation, establishing within it characters of winning individuality and humor. Design team accents the diverse beauty of the actors (all Native Americans) with striking combinations of paint, feathers and deerskin in costuming.

Unfortunately, the script seems to have run out of understanding by the time the Union soldiers arrive to do a job on the “traitor” Dunbar, and portrayal of this loutish and brutal mob, who refuse so much as to hear him out, is pic’s weakest and most manipulative passage.

Still, it makes effective drama and, if interpreted metaphorically, the scene conveys the spirit of rape and plunder that had vanquished the Sioux culture within a mere 13 years of this story’s unfolding, according to the screen epilogue.

Lensed on location in South Dakota over 17 weeks, pic is infused with the natural grandeur of the plains and sky, captured in all their variance by cinematographer Dean Semler

Score by John Barry makes a major contribution, varying from the elegiac tone of the main theme to the spirited adventure of classic Westerns, to the heart-racing primal rhythms of the buffalo and scalp dances.

From its three-hour length, which amazingly does not become tiresome, to its bold use of subtitled Lakota language (the Sioux tongue) for at least a third of the dialogue, it’s clear the filmmakers were proceeding without regard for the rules. Their audacity in doing so, because they knew what they had, is as inspiring as the film itself.

Costner’s directing style is fresh and assured. A sense of surprise and humor accompany Dunbar’s adventures at every turn, twisting the narrative gently this way and that and making the journey a real pleasure.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
sooper_walrusAug 29, 2017
Dances With Wolves is a meaningful film, but it suffers from simply being too long. There are many parts of this film, mainly in the sequence where Dunbar was getting to know the Sioux tribe, that should have been omitted to keep the plotDances With Wolves is a meaningful film, but it suffers from simply being too long. There are many parts of this film, mainly in the sequence where Dunbar was getting to know the Sioux tribe, that should have been omitted to keep the plot moving. Costner's performance feels oddly stiff and uncomfortable, though perhaps this was purposeful. However, there is no doubt that this film has a layer of cultural depth and significance that not many other films have. And of course, the cinematography is strikingly beautiful.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
FilipeNetoMay 20, 2018
For many decades, the American film industry portrayed the Indians as bandits, in a portrait later reinforced in Italian westerns. In this movie we finally see Indians portrayed as they probably were: a people with a culture that whiteFor many decades, the American film industry portrayed the Indians as bandits, in a portrait later reinforced in Italian westerns. In this movie we finally see Indians portrayed as they probably were: a people with a culture that white Americans were not able to understand. Cavalry officer John Dunbar, on the other hand, understood the Indians, forced by his isolation, but ended up being acculturated by them to the point of marrying an Indian woman. From there, this character follows his heart and his sense of justice more than his rational discernment. The story is deeply romantic and has a touch of sadness because we, the public, know the fate of these Indians, and the film shows us how the Americans knew to be unfair and cruel. Kevin Costner has earned in this film one of the most remarkable works of his career. He was brilliant in the role of the young American officer, to whom the fear, the need and the curiosity lead to initiate dialogue and coexistence with the Indians. Mary McDonnell gave birth to the young Indian who marries Dunbar and filled her character with gentleness, understanding and joy. The way the Indians are represented seems historically accurate, as does the representation of Americans. The wide prairie scenery is a beautiful addition, astounding and astounding the audience. Some sequences, such as marriage or hunting, are worthy of anthology.… Expand
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7
jonslowDec 9, 2018
Dances with wolves is a great classic related to USA history the civil war.
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7
clem666Apr 13, 2021
A beautiful attempt to create a parallel story of the colonization of North America. Even if the storyline is quite predictable and similar to many Disney childish stories it remains interesting to witness the way things are arranged. 'DancesA beautiful attempt to create a parallel story of the colonization of North America. Even if the storyline is quite predictable and similar to many Disney childish stories it remains interesting to witness the way things are arranged. 'Dances With Wolves' is a really long movie and this quality allows it to tackle many issues and craft deep and intricated characters. There are some fight scenes but it never falls in obnoxious violence. It is marvelous to see a movie like this that fully takes its time to show facial emotions, environment and animals. It does it in a such way that we actually can feel the loneliness of the main character, the amazement of the girl finding back her own roots or the doubt of a worried chief.

However if you manage to see American Indians differently as the plot moves forward you will quickly realize that White American settlers are almost all truly one-dimensional. You will probably also land on the conclusion that the lenght of the movie makes its pace inequal and unbalanced. The ending (no spoil) feels pretty rushed after all the time the movie demanded to set itself. I can totally understand why this movie is a classic for so many people but today we tend to feel all these years between its creation and us.… Expand
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8
AmadouIraklidisAug 11, 2023
Awesome movie, an epic, both in it's length and the ruggedness conveyed in the story.
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