Rating: 
Summary: Kevin Costner's Best Film to Date
Review: Kevin Costner directed, produced and starred in the 1990 western epic "Dances with Wolves", which was based upon the novel of the same name by author Michael Blake, who also wrote the film's screenplay. Costner plays U.S. Army Lieutenant John G. Dunbar during and shortly after the U.S. Civil War. Following a victory with Union troops under his command, he requests an assignment to the western frontier and is assigned to an isolated military outpost in the Dakota Territory. John waits patiently for other troops to arrive at the outpost, but they never do. With no means to communicate with his superiors, John bides his time by taking care of the outpost and himself, as well as writing in his journal. A nearby wolf begins to take an interest in John. At first, he tries to chase the wolf away, but eventually, the wolf becomes John's unwitting companion. Later, John realizes that there is a nearby Native American Sioux tribe. Members of the tribe meet John, but since they do not have a common language to speak with one another, they are somewhat suspicious of him. Later, they invite John to visit their encampment where he sees a Caucasian woman (Mary McDonnell) living with them. She remembers a little English is able to talk with him and tells him that her name is Stands With A Fist. Eventually, John learns how to speak Sioux and is adopted by the tribe after he helps them.Originally released at 183 minutes (three hours), the film may seem long; but the characters, story and cinematography keep most viewers fully engaged. The extended director's version is even longer at 236 minutes (four hours). The primary Sioux characters are Kicking Bird (Graham Greene, whose career in film was boosted greatly by this film), Wind in His Hair (Rodney A. Grant), the elder Ten Bears (Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman) and Black Shawl (Tantoo Cardinal). The film won seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Kevin Costner), Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Music, Best Sound and Best Writing--Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Michael Blake). Kevin Costner received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, Graham Greene was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Mary McDonnell was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Overall, I rate "Dances with Wolves" with 5 out of 5 stars not only for being a very engaging film, but also for its very positive portrayal of Native American life in the former western frontier. Some people may find the film too long, some may be offended by the negative portrayal of U.S. Army soldiers and some may be offended by the negative portrayal of Pawnee tribespeople. Unfortuneately, none of Costner's works following "Dances with Wolves" have been as good. Films that Costner only starred in such as "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991), "A Perfect World" (1993) and "Wyatt Earp" (1994) were entertaining; but films that he both starred in and directed were box office disasters: "Waterworld" (1995) and "The Postman" (1997). Perhaps his next directorial work (that he also stars in) will be better: "Open Range", slated for release in May, 2003.
Rating:
Summary: Long time coming
Review: The phrase "never-before-seen additional scenes" is a bit of an exaggeration as lucky buyers in the UK could buy a limited edition extended version on VHS many years ago. I bought it then on VHS, and will buy it again on DVD, it's that good. If you liked the 3 hour version, you'll no doubt like this version. Just make sure to buy in enough popcord and soda.
Rating:
Summary: I have this on Laserdisk!
Review: Not sure if everybody here can remember these, but I have this film on Laserdisk. It was a boxed set of 5 disks in CAV format, and gives a "far superior" picture than the VHS version. It is a very nice box, and has a full color companion book and the soundtrack on CD. However, I am now very excited to see that it will finally be available on DVD, as Laser cannot compare to the clarity of DVD! This is an excellent movie, and as is stated in the other reviews, the deleted scenes add a tremendous amount to an already great movie. Many things from the original movie are explained better, I will not however get into specifics so as to not ruin it for anybody. Buy this DVD if you love this movie. I now only have one movie set left that requires my Laser Player, and that is my Star Wars Trilogy. One down, one to go, then I get to get rid of an entire piece of equipment on an overcrowded rack!!
Rating:
Summary: Extended Version Worth the Wait.
Review: I've had this Extended Version for sometime on VHS and paid a whooping $ for it...it included a book with script; 6 wonderful lobby cards and at the end of the tape a short making of documentary. I don't want to ruin anything for anybody, but by adding these scenes (up to 50 minutes more) so much gets explained that you were left guessing about in the theatrical cut. Yes, some of the added scenes leave you wondering why the didn't leave them on the cutting room floor the second time, but it's okay as Dances With Wolves is still my favorite film of all time, even after nearly 13 years after its initial release. I'm also glad I didn't buy the abridged version on DVD when it was readily available....there is no point to ever watching the theatrical version again. If you liked Dances With Wolves the first time in the theater or on home video....by all means buy this Extended Version you will be enlightened.
Rating:
Summary: A spectacular movie
Review: This movie stirred up several kinds of my emtions- happy, sad,
anger, compasion and happysad. Never did have that boring moment. Had just enough action and violence. I really haven't watched a GOOD CLEAN Action family movie like this in quite sometime. I can watch this movie over and over. Today was the 10th time watching it. I love it.
Rating:
Summary: What an addition to a DVD collection!
Review: A masterpiece finally rereleased on DVD.
Exciting story, awesome scenery, and nice music add up to a great movie-watching experience.
Forget what some critics say about Costner's acting and just watch this beautiful movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Dances With Political Correctness
Review: DANCES WITH WOLVES is a tale of two movies. The first film is a moving, epic story about Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) who accepts a post at a remote fort in the Dakotas and turns out to be the only soldier there. He befriends first, a wolf, then his nearest neighbors, a Lakota Sioux tribe. Both friendships are tentative at the outset, yet succeed and are nurtured through trust. It is a beautiful, wonderful story. But then comes the second movie. The evil white man descends upon Dunbar's abandoned fort and systematically, demonically, begins to destroy and kill. This movie provides no insight into such wanton cruelty; it only portrays it, over and over (even to the point of showing a group of soldiers getting their kicks shooting Two Socks, Dunbar's befriended wolf). Fortunately, Dunbar is able to escape such evil, with the aid of his Sioux brothers, and thus assimilate back into the Indian culture. Accordingly, a wonderful film is ruined by political correctness. We are given a complete, warm potrayal of the collectivist society of the Lakotas--both pros and cons. But no such treatment is given of the plains soldiers who fought the Indians; they are portrayed as ruthless, cutthroat killers, and because of the one-dimensional depiction the ending of this film disintegrates into bitter disappointment. DANCES WITH WOLVES is a moving, well-made film, but a lack of point of view balance makes the movie fall well short of the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: One of the Best Movies you will ever see!
Rating:
Summary: Why not available?
Review: I had hoped to give my husband this DVD for Christmas, this year, only to find out it is very hard to find, out of print and those that are left over are ridiculously priced! Why, oh why, is this 13 yr. old movie not available at the average DVD price and not in print at the present time? I cannot give it anything higher than 3 stars, because I have not had the chance to see it on DVD, and do not know quality or content. I have seen it in theatres and on TV, and absolutely love it. Please make this available again, at a normal DVD price! Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: When do we get the Director's Cut on DVD ?
Review: It's one of the great enigmas of the world.
I believe that for such a wonderful movie someone should already have at least planned to launch a well deserved "very special or deluxe edition" on DVD with everything in it. Or at least the 240 minute Director's Cut, which can only be found in Spain. Sure, I'm right next door to them, but I'm not very fond of spanish subtitles.
Heads up, publishers !...
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