Product Description

Rewarded for his heroism in the Civil War Lt. John Dunbar (Costner) wants to see the American Frontier before it is gone. He is assigned to an abandoned fort where a Sioux tribe is his only neighbor. Overcoming the language barrier and their mutual fear and distrust Dunbar and the proud Indians gradually become friends. Eventually he falls in love with the beautiful Stands With A Fist (McDonnell) a white woman raised by the tribe. He learns the culture of the Sioux lives with them and even experiences the breathtaking excitement of a buffalo hunt but his knowledge of the fate that will ultimately befall the tribe torments him. Finally he is faced with a crucial decision that will cause him to examine his heart and soul before making a heroic choice that determines his destiny.System Requirements:Starring: Kevin Costner Mary McDonnell Graham Greene Rodney A. Grant Floyd Red Crow Westerman Tantoo Cardinal Robert Pastorelli Charles Rocket Maury Chaykin Larry Joshua Wes Studi Jimmy Herman. Directed By: Kevin Costner. Running Time: 236 Min. Color. This film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright 2003 MGM Studios.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG-13 UPC: 027616880598 Manufacturer No: 1003949

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2246 in DVD
• Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
• Released on: 2003-05-20
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 236 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Kevin Costner's 1990 epic won a bundle of Oscars for a moving, engrossing story of a white soldier (Costner) who singlehandedly mans a post in the 1870 Dakotas, and becomes a part of the Lakota Sioux community who live nearby. The film may not be a masterpiece, but it is far more than the sum of good intentions. The characters are strong, the development of relationships is both ambitious and careful, the love story between Costner and Mary McDonnell's character is captivating. Only the third-act portrait of white intruders as morons feels overbearing, but even that leads to a terribly moving conclusion. Costner's direction is assured, the balance of action and intimacy is perfect--what more could anyone want outside of an unqualified masterpiece? --Tom Keogh

DVD features
Sadly, the Oscar®-winning cut of Kevin Costner's Western is nowhere to be found on this two-disc set. This "extended version" adds 58 minutes to the three-hour film, most of which was seen in TV airings. The extra hour is unique in the history of new versions of a great film; it neither wastes the viewer's time (JFK) nor vastly improves the film (Once Upon a Time in America). There is more character building, but also extends some scenes unnecessarily. Regardless, there's lot more here. The new 81-minute documentary does an excellent job of chronicling the film, from Michael Blake's book to Oscar night with new interviews and vintage behind-the-scenes footage; it's one of the best made-for-DVD retrospectives. There are two commentary tracks, the better one by Costner and producer Jim Wilson, although most of it is from a recording made for the laserdisc. Another nice feature is the presentation of on-set photographs set to John Barry's moving score. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

You can fool most of the people most of the time
Amazing how many people really liked this very poor excuse for a movie. But then again, we love to create gridlock to watch a grisly traffic accident on the Interstate, hoping to see blood and gore which is not our own. Dances With Wolves can be commended for one thing and one thing only: the people who produced, directed, and acted in this movie knew how to pander to the lowest common denominator. I have teenage children and I wouldn't want them to watch this movie; their time would be much better spent with The Simpsons or Family Guy.

Excellent - better than the original
Excellent DVD that fills in gaps left by the original movie. Why was the fort abandoned? Where did everyone go? Why was Stands With Fist mourning? A long movie, but well worth it.

Get over it White Man... I did.
Powerful, cinematic storytelling...

This classic work was a labor of love in the making; and it shows from top to bottom; from screenplay to direction. Historically, it paints Native Americans in a very humanistic manner, including having a healthy dose of humor, which I can attest to from many personal acquaintances.

I originally saw this in 70mm, and would plop down a hundred bills to see it again in that format; one of my all-time fav movie experiences. The DVD version holds up well, and there is always something new to catch with each successive viewing.

It's funny to read negative reviews which are obviously grounded in either racism or ignorance of true American History, or both. Do the math, read some real history, and you'll find that this era was not exactly the highpoint of Anglo-Saxon compassion. I don't see this as being biased at all; there were some good whites who interacted with NAs; but they were a gross minority. If you're white, as I am, get over it already.

All in all, a superior film about a superior culture.