Dance with Wolves (1990)

 Dance with Wolves (1990)

1990 was a year that produced many top-tier films. Goodfellas is one of my favorite movies and in any other year, I would have been angry about it not winning the top prize. In 1990, it had to contend with the behemoth known as Dance with Wolves, a film that is also one of my favorite films of all time. Kevin Costner’s epic was released at a time where westerns were presumed dead. Costner had plenty of trouble trying to secure financing for his project. Yet he worked his magic and made a film that is reminiscent of a John Ford western. What really stands out is how respectful Costner is to the Sioux tribe and Native Americans in general. We need to face the facts that Americans has seen the Indians as savages and predators and were not worthy of their lands which is why they kept being pushed west for the plight of the white man. As evidenced from the westerns of the 40’s, racism was always a factor when it came to Native Americans. Costner treated these tribes like people and even incorporated the native language, despite less than 100% accuracy, into the film. There is romance here, but any romantic cliches were avoided in order to create a more accurate depiction. Politics aside, Dean Semler shot the film with such stunning cinematography work. The Dakotas really do have magnificent scenery and Semler took advantage of that. John Barry created one of the best scores in modern film history. John Dunbar’s theme is remarkable in how easy it was to invoke emotion from me while holding true to the story.

There is no doubt Costner was at the top of his game in the late 80’s, early 90’s era. In addition to his memorable performances in films like Field of Dreams, he made his directorial debut here which ended up with a whopping total of 12 Academy Award nominations. For a first-timer that directed a three-hour long Western, there should have been no way the film got the recognition it did. Costner directed the film as if he was Steven Spielberg. He showed such poise behind the camera working with Semler and the rest of the crew. Semler’s shots were confident and steady. As mentioned, it took some time to fly off the ground. In the mid-80’s, screenwriter Michael Blake wrote his movie as a speculative script that went unsold. Costner convinced him to turn the script into a novel so it would be easier to sell. Costner purchased the rights. With the Western genre being a near extinct genre and Blake’s script being massive as it was, studios turned their nose at the script. Costner and his producing partner Jim Wilson were finally able to strike a deal with Orion. I can describe Blake’s screenplay and Costner’s directing style as patient. As a member of the audience, patience is required to feel the full effect that Costner and Blake were aiming for. After the Academy Awards were over, there was another cut of the film made. One that added an hour to the film…and it received rave reviews. It must have been nearly impossible to edit the movie!

The story itself is very simple, but it is told with clarity and precision. The film is narrated and told from the view of John Dunbar (Kevin Costner), a lieutenant in the Union Army. He runs away from a field hospital where his foot was going to be amputated and instead leads a suicidal charge against the Confederates. He survives and is given any post he wanted. He chooses an isolated post in the frontier, the only white man around for miles. He makes first contact with the Sioux and begins to study and learn from them. The tribe wants to learn from Dunbar because they are keenly aware that the white man is pushing them away. Over time, Dunbar learns who these people are and is welcomed as a member of the tribe. His given name is “Dance with Wolves.” He falls in love with Stand with a Fist (Mary McDonnell). She is a white woman who was adopted by the tribe after her parents were killed…something that screenwriter Blake based off in real life. Dunbar was able to look past any prejudices to learn about and become a member of the Sioux. He understands why they fight and live they way they do. Ultimately, that will most likely put him at odds with the Americans moving west along the frontier.

Costner delivers an incredible performance. He uses comedy to counterbalance the drama at times. For example, take how he and the Sioux first try to communicate with each other. He is prancing around like a buffalo trying to get them to understand the word “buffalo.” Of course, the Sioux thought he lost his marbles until they understood what he was trying to say. I laughed during the scene, but it was an important scene that set the stage for what’s next. I liked that Costner tried to be authentic when casting the Native Americans. We got to know key member of the tribes, especially Kicking Bird (played by Graham Greene) and Wind in His Hair (played by Rodney A. Grant). It didn’t feel like they were acting. I felt like I was there as a member of the tribe.

I loved Dance with Wolves. It is my favorite film of 1990…and it seems like many people agree. It can be excessive in its length…but every scene matters in the entire context of the story. Costner was very respectful telling the story the way it needed to be told. Native Americans were not the bad guys. They were just people trying to live and eat and protecting their way of life. Costner took that main point and then followed the John Ford format with a beautiful score and sweeping cinematography to create something special…something that revitalized the near-dead genre.

My Grade: A+