Dances With Wolves
Adventure, Drama, Western
Image Ent.  (1990) 181 mins PG-13

7.9 (57,989 votes)
Rewarded for his heroism in the Civil War, Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner), wants to see the American frontier before it is gone. He is assigned to an abandoned fort, where a Sioux tribe is his only neighbor. Overcoming the language barrier and their mutual fear and distrust, Dunbar and the proud Indians gradually become friends. Eventually, he falls in love with the beautiful Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell), a white woman raised by the tribe. He learns the culture of the Sioux, lives with them, and even experiences the breathtaking excitement of a buffalo hunt, but his knowledge of the fate which will ultimately befall the tribe torments him. Finally, he is faced with a crucial decision that will cause him to examine his heart and soul before making a heroic choice that determines his destiny....

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Cast and Crew
Mary McDonnell  ......  Stands With A Fist
Kevin Costner  ......  Lt. John J. Dunbar
Graham Greene  ......  Kicking Bird
Rodney Grant  ...... 
Rodney A. Grant  ......  Wind In His Hair
Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman  ......  Ten Bears
Director  .....  Kevin Costner
Producer  .....  Jim Wilson; Kevin Costner; Bonnie Arnold
Writer  .....  Michael Blake
Notes
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Electric power lines are visible during the buffalo hunt. (more)

Trivia:
The film ran over budget, forcing Kevin Costner to make up the overages personally. That caused rumors that the film would be another out-of-control, disappointing western like Heaven's Gate (1980). In fact, some studio people were referring to it as "Kevin's Gate". It went on to win the first Best Picture Oscar for a western since Cimarron (1931), over 50 years before it. (more)

Filming Locations:
Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA (more)

Quotes:
Stands With a Fist: My place is with you. I go where you go. (more)

Awards:
Won 7 Oscars. Another 30 wins & 20 nominations (more)