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Dances with Wolves

Oscar™ Best Picture - Winning Movies

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Inside Story: Dances with Wolves (TV)

Original title: Dances with Wolves
Year: 1990
Running time: 180 min.
Country: United States
Director: Kevin Costner
Screenwriter: Michael Blake (Novel: Michael Blake)
Music: John Barry
Cinematography: Dean Semler
Cast: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Maury Chaykin, Tantoo Cardinal, Wes Studi, Robert Pastorelli, Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman, Steve Reevis, Charles Rocket
Producer: Orion Pictures, Tig Productions
Genre: Western. Adventure. Drama | Epic film. Friendship. Army. 19th Century
Synopsis / Plot: Lt. John Dunbar (Costner) is dubbed a hero after he accidentally leads Union troops to a victory during the Civil War. He requests a position on the western frontier, but finds it deserted. He soon finds out he is not alone, but meets a wolf he dubs "Two-socks" and a curious Indian tribe. Dunbar quickly makes friends with the tribe, and discovers a white woman (McDonnell) who was raised by the Indians. He gradually earns the respect of these native people, and sheds his white-man's ways.

Awards: 1990: 7 Academy Awards: incl. Best Movie, Director and Screenplay

1990: 3 Golden Globes: Best Movie Drama, Director and Screenplay. 6 nom.

1990: National Board of Review: Best Film

1990: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: 3 Nom. including Best Film

1990: Chicago Film Critics Awards: Best Cinematography. 4 Nominations

1991: Berlin Film Festival: Silver Bear - Outstanding Single Archievement (Costner)

Show 7 more awards

1991: 9 BAFTA Nominations, including Best Film, Director and Actor

1991: Cesar Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film

1990: Independent Spirit Awards: Special Distinction Award

1990: Producers Guild Awards (PGA): Best Film

1990: Directors Guild of America (DGA): Best Director

1990: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Best Adapted Screenplay

1990: David di Donatello Awards: 2 Nominations, including Best Foreign Film

Critics' reviews

"Costner’s directing style is fresh and assured. A sense of surprise and humor accompany Dunbar’s adventures at every turn (...) A real pleasure."

Amy Dawes: Variety
"The movie is a simple story, magnificently told. It has the epic sweep and clarity of a Western by John Ford (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"The film is heartfelt and engrossing (...) And it's a beauty."

Peter Travers: Rolling Stone
"'Dances With Wolves' runs over three hours. Its triumph is that it is never exactly boring, only dulled. It's a movie in acute need of sharpening."

Vincent Canby: The New York Times
"A stunning combination of all-American boyishness and sweeping grandeur (...) A gigantic achievement."

Hal Hinson: The Washington Post
"If the film’s visual splendor lacks profundity, Costner does provide a handful of transcendent moments (…) Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)"

Nick Schager: Slant
"'Dances With Wolves' is a beautifully crafted film, layered with terrific characters, equally wonderful performances, heartfelt metaphors, stinging realism and a haunting message"

R.L. Shaffer: IGN
Show 6 more reviews

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Ranking Lists Position

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44 My Favorites from the 90s (163)
71 My Favorite Remakes (7)
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85 My Favorite Blockbusters (15)
100 Popular Movies I Hate (30)

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