Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

Dances with Wolves poster

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Inside everyone is a frontier waiting to be discovered.

★ 7.8/10 November 9, 1990 181 min

AdventureDramaWestern

Director: Kevin Costner  ·  Writer: Michael Blake

Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

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Trailer

Director

Kevin Costner Kevin Costner

Cast

Kevin Costner Kevin Costner Lieutenant Dunbar Mary McDonnell Mary McDonnell Stands With A Fist Graham Greene Graham Greene Kicking Bird Rodney A. Grant Rodney A. Grant Wind In His Hair Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman Ten Bears Tantoo Cardinal Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl Robert Pastorelli Robert Pastorelli Timmons Charles Rocket Charles Rocket Lieutenant Elgin Maury Chaykin Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough Jimmy Herman Jimmy Herman Stone Calf Nathan Lee Chasing Horse Nathan Lee Chasing Horse Smiles A Lot Michael Spears Michael Spears Otter

User Reviews (3)

Steve Butterworth
Steve Butterworth April 17, 2017

One of my all-time favorite movies. I can't begin to remember how many times I've seen it. And I'll watch it again. Kevin Costner gives a compelling performance, but so does the entire cast. One gets a great sense of who the Lakota were and are. Respect.

Gimly
Gimly December 28, 2019
★ 6/10

I watched the extended version of this film, and I just have to say, any film that can run for FOUR HOURS and not come out the other end as a boring pile of garbage, is worthy of some pretty serious praise. That said, _Dances with Wolves_ is not really in my wheelhouse, and although it held my attention I can't see myself probably ever watching it again. Costner knows what he's about, and that's great, but a four-hour film about American history with strong romance elements is never going to blow me away. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go._

CinemaSerf
CinemaSerf August 26, 2023
★ 7/10

There are two actor of recent years that I really struggle with. One is Tom Hanks, the other is Kevin Costner. His monotonic narrative as he conveys this story via his journal makes this otherwise breathtakingly beautiful story frequently a real plod. He is "Lt. Dunbar" who after a very close shave with the Confederate troops during the US Civil War is posted to a far outpost where he finds himself living a solitary existence with only a wolf ("Two Socks") for company. That is until a passing warrior gets a glimpse of him at his bath and runs a mile. What now ensues is a gently paced story depicting his developing relationship with his neighbouring Sioux tribe. This film features a memorable John Barry score to accompany some fine cinematography, and the efforts from Graham Greene ("Kicking Bird") and a slew of other native American actors is excellent. It's just Kevin. He was the power …