Dances With Wolves

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Dances With Wolves

PG-13

Released Nov 21, 1990

3h 0m

History

Drama

Western

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Popcornmeter

87%

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132 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

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.

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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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Pauline Kael

The 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

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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

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Forever known (and, in some circles, vilified) as The Movie That Beat GoodFellas For The Best Picture Oscar, Costner’s commercial and critical smash has seen its reputation diminish over the years -- an unfortunate development for a truly exemplary film.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 10, 2024

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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

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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

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Audience Member

One of the best movies of all time. I was 7 when this came out, I remember watching it with my father. I just watched it now at age 41 all these years later. A true masterpiece. I cried at the end. A beautiful film that stirs the soul. Many would say one of the best films of all time. A work of art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

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Garrett B

It is a very well made and beautifully shot film and a good performance from Costner.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

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Cork B

When I first saw DwW, I wasn't particularly impressed. It was another Hollywood dressing down of America. And while it isn't subtle or anything like that, it does provide a counterpoint to the 50s Western. The movie is a slow burn, taking it's time to get to know its key characters. Some of it is ham-handed, and the ending felt a little wandering and drawn out, but there is some really good story and cinematography along the way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

Daniel N

One of the greatest movies of all time. Beautifully written, perfectly casted, great storytelling and an amazing mix of drama, romance and action. So much to love about this movie. It is absolutely flawless. 30 years on and it's still and amazing watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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Mike C

An important epic that every American should see. Costner's best. One of my favorite movies of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

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thiago s

filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é meio fraco, as cenas de ação são fracas parece que não faz o filme ficar bom, e a duração do filme é muito longa 3 horas, não sei como o filme ganhou o oscar de melhor filme do ano, praticamente só as atuações salvaram um pouco o filme. esse filme eu não recomendo assistir.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/25/24

Full Review

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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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