Four Word Film Review
Costner reinvents the Western.
The Premise
Based on the novel by Michael Blake, Dances with Wolves follows the actions of Lt. John Dunbar (Costner) of the Union Army starting with a modest skirmish at St. David's Field, Tennessee in 1863. Wounded in battle and in danger of losing his leg to the knife, Dunbar makes an attempt to commit suicide by riding across the Confederate defensive line. Mistaking his act of moral cowardice for physical bravery and leadership, our protagonist is rewarded with proper medical care and the right to choose any outpost he desires for his next duty.
Electing to see the frontier before it disappears forever, our hero is sent out on orders to relieve the most distant outpost (Fort Sedgewick) by the insane Union supply depot general (brilliantly played by Maury Chaukin). Finding the fort deserted, our lieutenant decides to set up camp anyway. He is soon discovered by a Sioux medicine man (Graham Greene) and threatened by the war hawk leader of the tribe (Rodney A. Grant). However, in short order he redeems his unwelcome presence by rescuing the beautiful Sioux maiden that he encounters on the prairie (Mary McDonnell).
Slowly a bond between the skeptical tribe and the dutiful soldier is forged - the linguistic differences being overcome by McDonnell's character, Stands with a Fist, who was born a pioneer's daughter but raised by the Sioux tribe). Over time, enough trust is gained to allow Dunbar on a buffalo hunt and this seems to change his persona, eventually prompting him to join the tribe and forge a new life with Stands with a Fist.
Unfortunately, the party ends when the Union Army moves out west in force. Dunbar becomes a wanted man for his betrayal and this endangers both himself and the Sioux band. For the purposes of suspense, I'll finish by saying that while the ending is not particularly dramatic, it often leaves me on the verge of tears.
The Good
The list for this section simply goes on and on. The acting ranges from good to great, the themes and messages are inspiring and well-delivered and the cinematography is outstanding. All of the characters do their jobs well and serve to complete the film that Costner stars in and directs. The pace is just right and the musical score could not synchronize better between the actions on screen and the emotions of the audience any better if it tried.
The Bad
The fact that Kevin Costner was denied a Best Actor Oscar for his performance.
The Ugly
The native-American kids in the movie get on my nerves a little bit, a function of screenwriting as much as acting for the most part.
The Final Word
This film is often credited for reestablishing the Western as a genre of film after nearly twenty years of unpopularity. It led the way for such films as Unforgiven, Tombstone and Wyatt Earp in the years to follow. A financial and artistic success, Dances with Wolves remains my favourite film of all time.