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Dances With Wolves

PG-13 Released Nov 21, 1990 3h 0m History Drama Western List
87% Tomatometer 131 Reviews 87% Audience Score 100,000+ Ratings
A Civil War soldier develops a relationship with a band of Lakota Indians. Attracted by the simplicity of their lifestyle, he chooses to leave his former life behind to be with them. Having observed him, they give the name Dances With Wolves. Soon he is a welcomed member of the tribe and falls in love with a white woman who has been raised in the tribe. Tragedy results when Union soldiers arrive with designs on the land. Read More Read Less
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Dances With Wolves

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Critics Consensus

Dances with Wolves suffers from a simplistic view of the culture it attempts to honor, but the end result remains a stirring western whose noble intentions are often matched by its epic grandeur.

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Critics Reviews

View All (131) Critics Reviews
Pauline Kael New Yorker This epic was made by a bland megalomaniac (The Indians should have named him "Plays with Camera"). You look at that untroubled face and know he can make everything lightweight. Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press Even with its flaws, Dances With Wolves is cause for celebration, a haunting elegy to the end of the Great Plains wilderness. Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Bob Fenster Arizona Republic It's difficult for any actor to direct himself effectively. It's amazing when someone does it in an epic that turns out as fine as this tale of the Old West. Rated: 5/5 Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily An exquisitely shot Western epic with majestic landscapes detailing the crimes against indigenous people and the final years of the American West. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal Dances With Wolves is Costner's crossroads. Amazingly, he emerges from it a better actor and an extremely good director. Rated: 4/4 Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Stephen Hunter Baltimore Sun How much easier if the movie were crummy and could be dismissed. But, damn its smarmy soul, it's beautifully watchable, a return to the visual vernacular of the western epic and all its old-fashioned scenic values. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 8, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David F Appalling drivel. A man wandering about with a gun overlooking a hill and poncing about with Indians for three hours. Kevin Costner is the Happy Shopper Harrison Ford, without the charisma of the Star Wars actor. Why he thought he should direct a film is beyond me. Maybe, just maybe, if they edited out two hours it might become palatable. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Carson K An absolute masterpiece… this is a tale about being friends with everyone, compassion, understanding others, and more valuable advice. This movie takes you on a grand sweeping journey through the american frontier thst makes you want to get on a plane to Oklahoma. the characters are compelling and the writing is great. this movie is truly beautiful and deserved its best picture award. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/24/24 Full Review Audience Member I remember being young kid and hearing so many references from adults and other films who reference this movie. I never saw the whole film until a few years back and I really enjoyed this film from beginning to end. It showcases so much of the chaos that ensued during and post Civil War. Not only war but also the dangers and risk taken on by those who dare to take on the great western plains of America. The scenic camera shots and cinematography is done so well that it really is one of those movies that should be on everyones must watch. I have always enjoy Kevin Costner's work from DWW to Field of Dreams to Hatfields and McCoys TV Series. The length of the film is the only thing that may drive some nuts especially if you like to get up at least every hour like most people but it does draw you in to where it goes by pretty quick. Two socks...got to love him Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Joseph C used to hate this movie, but now i love it and i think it's absolute must see to see on the big screen in a cinema. I love the cinematography and i love the script by micheal blake. Kevin costner's character is a kind and gentle soldier. Dance with wolves is an soaring and stirring epic that just needs to unfold as you watch it.q Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Scott P This is one of Costner’s best films, and intentional or not, the inspiration for Avatar. Same movie and story but with big, blue people. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review Farah R Kevin Costner's western epic is worthy of all the critical and commercial success it received, and most of all, the highest honor any motion picture could ever earn, the Academy Award for Best Picture. Yet, for its beautiful cinematography, mesmerizing score, and commendable performances, the film is tediously drawn out. While Dances With Wolves is an impressive revelation of American History, it doesn't offer enough to justify being that long. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Dances With Wolves

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A Civil War soldier develops a relationship with a band of Lakota Indians. Attracted by the simplicity of their lifestyle, he chooses to leave his former life behind to be with them. Having observed him, they give the name Dances With Wolves. Soon he is a welcomed member of the tribe and falls in love with a white woman who has been raised in the tribe. Tragedy results when Union soldiers arrive with designs on the land.
Director
Kevin Costner
Producer
Kevin Costner, Jim Wilson
Screenwriter
Michael Blake
Distributor
Image Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Majestic Film, Tig Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
History, Drama, Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 21, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$184.0M
Runtime
3h 0m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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