Rating: 
Summary: Best Picture: I think not.
Review: Where do I begin? I was only able to watch this movie in incriments of about 35 minutes each. The first 35-40 minutes of it were good. I really enjoyed learning about Lt. John J. Dunbar, and the Lakota Sioux. After the beginning it flies down hill. They make Union Soldiers, American Citizens, and Whites all together look like nothing more than evil killers, and they make the Sioux look like wise, all- knowing, super- humans. Neither of these descriptions fit neither of the races. Basically, this is good if your so naive to think that Dunbar and the Sioux wouldn't have opened fire on eachother the first chance they got. P.S.- In the year of "MISERY" (Rob Reiner) they chose this?
Rating:
Summary: Dances with Costner
Review: It's hard not to get swept away by the production values in this film, they are truly wonderful. Costner not only plays the central role - Lt. John J. Dunbar, a Union soldier who chooses reassignment to the West in 1863 - he also makes a most impressive debut as the $18 million film's director, immersing us in the beauty of the country in a way that recalls the sweep of a David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) epic. And while one can hardly fault the movie for giving the Sioux human dimensions and foibles, the film's identification with an alien culture is so complete, Whites ultimately seem little more than soulless, vulgar, neurotic intruders. It's this attitude that dooms the film. His White guide is, in Dunbar's words, "quite possibly the foulest man I have ever met," and we're not spared the reasons why he should think so. The other Whites are vicious, ignorant, destructive. Dances With Wolves is a politically correct counterculture Western that comes down firmly on the side of the Sioux and sees the White man as the Devil. Granted, the "natives" are not the noble wooden Indians of Cheyenne Autumn, but the Whites are portrayed as such barbarians and the Sioux as such noble humans that Dunbar never has moments of doubt. Why should he? In the end, it's a very, very well made film, but the one-sidedness is too great to overcome.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Costner Film, the only one!
Review: A lot of you don't know this, but I genuinely don't like Kevin Costner! I don't think he's a good actor; I think he's wooden! This film, despite it being his directorial debut, is all about the Indians -- not him. I loved this movie, as love all epic films! (I loved BRAVEHEART, but hate Mel Gibson!)... Now that that is out of my system as a regular viewer, I will play the unbiased critic. First off, DANCES WITH WOLVES is a beautiful, passionate film that swept away the audience, critics, and the Academy Awards. (FYI: Something my film PRISONER OF WAR will do in the very near future.) It is a special tale of Sioux Indians and their culture clash with the Americans who raped, murdered, destroyed, and stole this land away from them. They are obvious stereotypes in this film, amongst them are the physical aspects of the American soldiers. They are fat, sweaty, loud, rude, thieving, and obnoxious; while the (Pawnee) Indians are portrayed as savage, blood-thirsty killers -- and maybe they were! Maybe the Sioux Indians were killers, or peaceful people. Who knows? It begins with Lt. John J. Dunbar (Costner), a Union officer, in the battlefields during the Civil War in 1863. He is able to lead the charge against the Confederate soldiers and score a victory. He is then reassigned to another location out in the valleys of the Midwest. Eventually, he makes contact with a Sioux Indian. Soon, word gets back to the other Indians of the white man and they advance forward with their investigation. Dunbar is nervous at first, as are the Indians (though, skeptical would be a better word), but they eventually come around and celebrate the return of Tatanka (Sioux for buffalo). The film is supported by a interesting cast including: Mary McDonnell as Stands With a Fist, an American woman who was adopted by the Sioux after her family was murdered by Pawnee Indians in a flashabck sequence. (In the book, she is referred to as Christine.) She eventually falls for Dunbar and they get married. Graham Greene (not the novelist) is Kicking Bird, the Indian to make contact with Dunbar, and the holy man of his tribe. The rest of the cast are regular character actors playing the Indians (yes, some of them speak perfect English) and the soldiers. But an extra point goes to Murphy Brown's Robert Pastorelli for his hilarious turn as the foul and foul-mouthed Timmons. In the end, Dunbar changes his name to Dances With Wolves; he gets captured by the Union soldiers; and eventually is freed when the Sioux, his new family, come to rescue him. It is an excellent film created by a man I cannot stand to look at or watch on the screen. But, like I said about Gibson, my hat's off to Costner. Winner of 7 Academy Awards in 1990 include: Best Picture - Jim Wilson & Kevin Costner; Best Director - Kevin Costner; Best Adapted Screenplay - Michael Blake, based on his own novel; Best Cinematography - Dean Semler; Best Sound - Jeffrey Perkins, Bill W. Benton, Greg Watkins, & Russell Williams II; Best Film Editing - Neil Travis; and Best Score - John Barry. But, my film, PRISONER OF WAR, will be much better! Count on it. Approximately: 3 HOURS, 3 MINUTES DVD: 3 HOURS, 57 MINUTES!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This film is a masterpierce from Kevin Costner who portrays an American soldier who is accepted into Sioux tribe. The part is portrayed with excellence by Costner whom with this film alone takes any criticism from later films such as the Postman in his stride. The film also gives a sense of grave injustice that was inflicted on the Sioux people who's land was plandered and taken by American soldiers. A timeless masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: We were starved for a big Western.
Review: This is a historically inaccurate, unbalanced portrayal of Native Americans. The film not only drips in political correctness, but it is offensive in its portrayal of Whites (except for the sensitive Kevin). The white men are fat, drunk, farting, pants-pissing oafs. The Sioux are beautiful, intelligent, dignified, and full of wisdom. These Sioux know nothing about whites until Kevin comes tripping in? Come on, there was a major Sioux - White conflict in Minnesota during 1862. Three hundred and fifty setlers were killed; hundreds of Sioux were arrested and 38 were hanged. You don't think this news didn't spread to other bands of Sioux? And that Winchestor rifle Kevin uses to slay the buffalo -- it hadn't been invented yet. Please see the superior 'Black Robe'(1991) by Bruce Beresford for a balanced presentation of the clash of two disparate cultures. I also recommend the wonderful 'Broken Arrow' (1950) by Delmer Daves for a moving portrayal of Whites and Native American trying to work out peace.
Rating:
Summary: The path of the true human being
Review: Dances with Wolves is a movie of tremendous philosophical insight, in that philosophy is "the love of wisdom" and wisdom the knowldge of the truly "good" life. It is an interesting blend of Aristotle's ethics and existentialism. Only once he has been brought to his lowest, to the point of attempting suicide, can Lt. John Dunbar begin his journey towards life. Rewarded for his "courage" he is givien his choice of assignments. Seeking solitude and adventure, he chooses the western frontier, the unknown, before it is overrun by settlers. At the farthermost post he finds what he was searching for. Abandoned and dilapidated the post provides an outlet for him. The task of rebuilding the post reflects his inner restoration. However, neat and tidy the post, and thus the Leutenant himself, is without purpose. His sense of duty, in which he finds his meaning, wains as time passes. He begins to search outside himeself and his immediate surroundings. Those he percieved as enemies, the Lakota, become friends. Hostility gives way to hospitality. Among his new friends he discovers entirely new approaches to life. Among them, he finds in himself his own understandings of duty, community, relationships, morality, and love. Lt. John J. Dunbar dies as he sheds the prejudices and pomposities of the manifest destiny culture from which he came. Upon that death Dances with Wolves is born, as one unnaturally, into the Lakota Sioux tribe. His self-discovery allows him to live as an authentic human being, allows him to be himself. He is the one who comes to trust and to be trusted by beautiful fellow creatures, misjudged and wrongly vilified. Ultimately, he comes to dance with them, sharing with them the richness of life, both sorrows and joys. The end is even more beautiful. His self-discovery does not lead him to a simple life to be lived out happily everafter among the people he loves. In fact, the movie is the account only of the beginning of his journey. It is the story of his discovery of the path to fulfillment, found in true community and marriage. It is not enough simply to enjoy these for the rest of his days. He must preserve them for others, for those he loves and for those unknown. "Dances with Wolves" is not simply about a man, nor about a people, but about eveyman's and everypeople's constant journey towards fulfillment. It is a journey which does not end, but is constantly rediscovered as we adventure in the unknown frontiers. It can only be traveled in honesty and humility. It is the path of life.
Rating:
Summary: Just amazing!
Review: I have no words I can think of to describe how I felt after watching this movie. If you haven't already seen it, then please do, and come back here and tell us how much it moved you.
Rating:
Summary: Shame on us!
Review: This isn't about the film, video, or the actors. It's about the story. Being part Lakota - which I didn't know until I was in my 60's, I can understand how they felt losing their land, religion, culture,means of survival and many other things, getting in return lies, measles, syphilis, gonorrhea and a religion that they didn't need or understand. Even though they had what was basically a stoneage culture, they had survived for over 10,000 years with it. I wonder if our "civilization" will survive that long, or will we destroy our land, air, water and ourselves long before that How come I didn't know about my heritage? When my Dad grew up it was considered a disgrace to be contaminated with "Injun savage" blood. Does that say something about our tolerance? Think about it.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best!
Review: How many movies inspire a term paper? Well this one did. I had always been interested in Native Americans, mainly via my dad(who is Italian/Slavic). But watching this movie tell the story of a man who slowly "became" one of the Lakota and saw thier culture slowly be destroyed by the expansion of the US, really piqued my interest. I've been know to watch it even today if it's on repeats.
Rating:
Summary: Dances with wolves, a stunning epic
Review: Dances with wolves is a one of few films that are worth viewing. Kevin Costner usually gives a bland preformance but in this case he really shined. The screenplay in this movie is incredible,the whole thing is written like a poem. This film features some of the most beautiful costumes and screen work since Gone with the wind. It's odd that Kevin Costner would not continue directing movies after such a big success with Dances With Wolves. All the other small name actors put on a good preformance. This film is indeed twice the epic Titanic is made out to be. We see John Dunbar, a soldier in the Civil War, transformed through this movie. And this is what gives DWW it's epic side. We see him promoted the the rank of a hero while trying to take his own life, we see him request a post out on the frontier, we see him make first contact with the sioux, We see him fall in love with Stands with a Fist, then we witness the bond bewtween him and the indians grow. from his experience hunting buffalo, to his battles in the tribal wars, we truly get attached to this character. The only problem I saw in this movie was the end. We are left without any idea as to what happend to John and Stands With A fist. But Kevin has proved he has the talent to direct some fine movies. BRAVO!
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