VHS : Dances With Wolves - The Collection Box Set [1991]

Rating: - Dances With Brilliance
Kevin Costner has always been one of those actors you either love or hate, much like the singing and celebrity of Victoria Beckham or Marmite.

It is unfortunate then, that it is these personal feelings which cloud judgement about whether or not to see a film. Because, in a time when the idea of race relations is once again at the forefront of the news, this simple story of a man open to change can tell us a lot.

Lt John Dunbar (Coster) is a civil war hero. Given the choice of outpost as a reward for a selfless act on the battlefield, he picks the furthest place he can find, the prairee. Also known as Indian country.

Far from being the war-mongering madmen his superiors are presented as, Dunbar is a quiet, docile man, eager to learn and thoughtful. He writes a diary, in which he places great importance, and when his Indian neighbours first show up, he is scared but also intrigued.

What follows over the next three hours is a beautiful, poetic story of friendship, love and honour amongst men. Costner, in his directorial debut paints a wonderful canvass, rich in colour and tone. Characters are well fleshed out, and all given a story perhaps worthy of a film of their own. He presents the Indians not as hostile, but as a simple, spirtitual people, oppressed and scared.

Dances With Wolves is a rarity. Its beauty and story have rarely been matched in silver screen history, and despite what may have been said, it is my opinion that its Best Film Oscar was well deserved.

I can't say this clearly enough - see this movie.

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Rating: - Brilliant!
I initially watched this again, having watched it years ago, after hearing the theme on Classic FM. I had forgotten how good this film is. This is one of those movies to see before you die.
The story of one man's relationship with a tribe of Sioux indians, before white settlers arrived en masse, and destroyed a way of life that existed for thousands of years. A slow moving tale, but beautifully told.
Not preachy, but a clear telling of the abuses suffered by Native American Indians.
A long movie at over 2.5 hours, but well worth it.
My wife and two teenagers didn't fancy it in the slightest, but once they started watching they were gripped.
Unreservedly recommend.

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Rating: - A masterpiece
A magnificient film depicting the 1860's America. While the country is ravaged by a bloody civil war; the wild and vast great plains are invaded by the marauding army and settlers. The pasture and the local people is massacred. The animals are killed carelessly for profits, the Sioux (in the film) is forced away from their ancestral grounds. The film depicts the life of an officer who is fed up with the capitalist way of life. Meaningless and wandering he comes across with a civilisation more simple but more sophisticated than his. He rediscovers himself and starts a new life among the Sioux. They are trustworthy people, never double dealing but straightforward. They respect the environment, animals etc. and they are at peace with the earthly things. There are very significant people in the film who have small roles but they are important for their meanings.A black officer in the Southern Army, the insane officer of the North committing suicide, a tradesmen who is a symbol of a growing enterprise, a warrior of Pawnee disliking all men (wonderful Wes Studi), a wise Sioux chief with a centuries old trophy (a conquistador helmet!)...

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Rating: - COSTNER'S 'tour de force'
I recommend this film to all movie enthusiasts and particularly to all American Settlers in the great Continent. Remember the Native Americans.
Value Equality and Freedom to all. No wonder, Marlon Brando, rejected his Academy Award for 'The Godfather'. We in India, are well used to the Colonialism of our 'white' rulers. The Massacre at Jalianwalla Bhag by General Dyer, the vicious suppression of 'the Indian Mutiny' of 1857, by
Munroe, the partition of the motherland, martyrs like Nana Sahib(Jules Verne in 'Tigers & Traitors' portrays him as a savage thug), Bhagat Singh
and last but not the least, Mohandas K.Gandhi. Costner in "Dances.." and
Attenborough in "Gandhi" vividly portray the plight of the natives in contries like the USA and India where the 'white-man' is shown as ignorant
Idiotic and extremely barbaric. I personally, wouldn't go to that extent.
Because in the Continent and the Sub-continent, without the 'sahib' there wouldn't have been Good Education, Good means of transportation, quality improvement in health-care & child-welfare.
As Costner, spoke in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion receiving his 'Oscars' this film may not portray the world situation 'now'. But let us not forget the 'Sioux' and other native americans.... The world situation at that time was 'papa'BUSH, hammering Iraq in Operation Desert Storm( and I was giving birth to my second daughter, Jessica Yvonne.)
The film becomes very sentimental towards the end and there was not a single dry eye in the home theatre. Especially when 'poor' two socks is systematically shot to death. Anyway I rank this as one of my Favorite Ten

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Rating: - Cinematography for photographers
Who can add much to the many testimonials already written about this wonderful film. Except perhaps to highlight, indeed emphasise, Dean Semler's superb cinematography.

Every shot was beautifully framed. The eye was lead directly where it needed to be, guided expertly through each scene. A visually stunning film.

Anyone with ambitions to take good shots needs only to look and learn from this masterpiece. A masterclass from a master craftsman.

Oh, and the rest of the movie was merely outstanding too.