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Dances with Wolves (Special Extended Edition) Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 64 Reviews)

Heartwarming
You know, the first time this movie came out; I don't know if it was the title or what, but it just didn't catch my eye. Then 12 YEARS LATER, it happened to be the special on tv and they showed it everyday on a certain network. I never saw a more heart-warming and emotional movie. It was such a beautiful, sad, and emotional story that left me in tears, EVERY SINGLE TIME I WATCHED IT. A wonderful story of part of our frontier history.

One of the greatest films of all time...
Dances With Wolves is not only the highest grossing western of all time, but is considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time. I couldn't agree more.

I have a special place in my heart for this movie especially since I have taken a missions trip up to Pine Ridge, SD where the Lakota reservation now exists. It is deplorable, but that's a whole other subject. Back to the movie...

Despite the fact that the movie is over 3 hours long, it never really drags because the story is so good. Costner's character, John Dunbar, is determined not to lose his leg, which was badly wounded in battle. It is an excruciating scene when he has to slip his leg back into his boot! John Dunbar wishes to see the frontier before it is gone and his request is granted. The journey that begins there changes him in a postive way when he befriends the Sioux (Lakota) Indians, finds a sort of companion in a lone wolf (which he names "Two Socks"), and falls in love with "Stands With A Fist", played by the wonderful Mary McDonnell.

The experiences John Dunbar has with the Indians teaches him that not all the natives are hostile and savage. That they are a simple people who live off the land, waste nothing and only desire to be left alone to live in peace on the land they inherited from their ancestors. He particularly grows fond of "Kicking Bird" played by Graham Greene.

There is plenty of excitement between the Buffalo (ttonka) Hunt, the fight with the Pawnee and the clash between the Cavalry Soldiers and the Sioux. The scenery is sometimes breathtaking and at least for me, makes me long for a more simple landscape than the one I see when I drive to work everyday. Truly, our country should always preserve whatever huge chunks of land can be preserved for future generations to be able to observe, walk, ride and breathe-in the wonder of God's creation.

Add to the mix a sweeping and inspirational score by John Barry (his magnum opus IMHO) and you have one solid, beautiful film.

Best Movie Ever Made
This is simply my favorite film of all time. This is the closest to perfect I have found. When thinking about all of the elements that make up a great movie - writing, directing, acting, cinematography, scoring - you just can't take any marks off for this movie. IF you haven't seen it and you only listen to one review of mine, make it this one.

This is a true epic. Sweeping scenery, beautiful music, a terrific story, wonderful acting and great directing. The special edition DVD is absolutely wonderful. It contains never before seen scenes. It takes the movie to just about 4 hours but it is worth it. Have I said I just love this movie yet?

Okay if you don't know anything about this movie you are in for a treat. Kevin Costner plays Lt. John J. Dunbar (not DumBear, you'll get that when you watch the movie) a soldier who tries to end his life with a crazy stunt but ends up being viewed as a hero. Because of this act, he is awarded Cisco, a US Army Horse who you end up just loving and is allowed to choose any post he wants. He decides to be sent to a US Outpost on the frontier so he can see the frontier before it disappears. Upon arrival he finds the post deserted but decides to stay anyways, while the man who brought him there goes back to let the Army know what is going on.

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SIDEBAR: Robert Pastorelli, best known for playing the painter Eldin on the TV Series Murphy Brown, plays a small but memorable roll as Timmons, the man who takes Dunbar to the frontier. As Dunbar says in the movie, "He is quite possibly the foulest man I've ever met." That line is not a lie. Pastorelli makes the most of his screen time and has you laughing out loud because it's all funny when it isn't directed at you.
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While waiting for the Army, Dunbar befriends a wolf who he names Two Socks. (When I say befriends, I mean as much as a wolf will allow). Dunbar also begins to to see signs of Indians, which he is afraid of. Finally he decides to go out to the Indians instead of being afraid and waiting for them to come get him. Now this is where the movie gets really good.

From here on out it is about his relationship with the Sioux Indians, falling in love with one of them, and finding out who he really is. It is terrific to see a man change into who he is supposed to be, and that is what you get here. Dunbar goes through many changes and grows tremendously all while building a strong relationship with the tribe, especially Kicking Bird (Graham Greene), Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell) and Wind in his Hair (Rodney A. Grant).

Kicking Bird, played brilliantly by Graham Greene, is the tribes Holy Man. He is the one who reaches out to Dunbar and tries to find out how many white men are coming. The relationship between Dunbar and Kicking Bird is a struggle but it is enjoyable to watch. While Kicking Bird's main objective is to get information, he can't help but admire and respect Dunbar for his actions and thoughts.

Stands With A Fist, played terrifically by Mary McDonnell is a white woman who was raised by the tribe. As a white woman, it is she who is expected to translate and help Dunbar and Kicking Bird talk. Watching her struggle with this at first is wonderful. It makes sense that this is who Dunbar falls in love with. The two of them have sparks flying off them and the passion between them is electric.

Wind In His Hair, played spectactularly by Rodney A. Grant, is the wild warrior who has a hatred for Dunbar immediately and tries to fight any feelings of like for him throughout the movie.

The internal struggles of the characters is just one of the added measures that makes this film glorious. This is not a typical Western and it is not filled with lots of action and cgi. The strength of this film lies in its characters and the writing. These are well-defined characters who grow before your eyes. They have a depth that most movies don't bother with anymore.

There is so much more to this movie but I feel I have already said too much. It is a fiction movie and as such uses creative license, some of which has caused people to get angry. It is not meant to be historically accurate. It is meant to entertain and that it does. It pulls you into the frontier and that time in our history. It allows you to see and feel what that time might have been like.

I just can't say enough how great this movie is. Don't let the length of the movie turn you off. The length is one of its strengths. Get the movie, get comfortable and get ready for a treat. It is worth every minute.

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