Dances with Wolves (1990)
Kevin Costner's landmark Western epic about a Civil War soldier who finds purpose, identity, and kinship among the Sioux people of the Dakota frontier.
Dances with Wolves - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dances with Wolves
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Kevin Costner
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Western
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 3h 1m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 30, 1990 (Ireland - 15), November 21, 1990 (United States - PG-13), November 9, 1990 (Canada - PG), February 8, 1991 (United Kingdom - 15), February 21, 1991 (Germany - 12), February 20, 1991 (France - U), February 14, 1991 (Australia - M), March 15, 1991 (Brazil - 14), December 14, 1990 (Italy - T), March 8, 1991 (Spain - APTA), January 14, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Bailando con lobos (ES), Dança Com Lobos (BR), Tańczący z Wilkami (PL), Farkasokkal tancolo (HU), Танці з вовками (UA), 난대와 춘을 (KR), Plesovi sa Vukovima (BA), Dansar med vargar (SE)
- Production Companies: Tig Productions, Majestic Films International, Allied Filmmakers
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Dances with Wolves - Plot
Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he’s assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.
Dances with Wolves - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the sweeping frontier world of this Oscar-winning epic:
Inside everyone is a frontier waiting to be discovered.
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Dances with Wolves - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kevin Costner
Main Cast
- Kevin Costner
- Mary McDonnell
- Graham Greene
- Rodney A. Grant
- Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Robert Pastorelli
- Charles Rocket
- Maury Chaykin
- Jimmy Herman
Writers
- Michael Blake
Producers
- Jim Wilson
- Kevin Costner
Dances with Wolves - FAQs
Where can you stream Dances with Wolves?
Dances with Wolves is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+, and Philo. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel and Fawesome.
Is Dances with Wolves based on a true story?
Dances with Wolves is not based on a specific true story. It is adapted from Michael Blake’s 1988 novel of the same name. However, the film draws on documented historical realities of Sioux culture, the post-Civil War frontier, and the broader displacement of Native American peoples during westward expansion.
How many Oscars did Dances with Wolves win?
Dances with Wolves won seven Academy Awards at the 63rd Oscars ceremony, including Best Picture and Best Director for Kevin Costner. Additional wins came in categories such as Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.
Who are the main actors in Dances with Wolves?
The film stars Kevin Costner as Lieutenant Dunbar, Mary McDonnell as Stands With A Fist, Graham Greene as Kicking Bird, and Rodney A. Grant as Wind In His Hair. Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, and Jimmy Herman round out the principal cast.
What is Dances with Wolves about?
A disillusioned Union soldier, Lieutenant John Dunbar, requests a remote frontier post after a near-suicidal act of bravery. Isolated on the Dakota plains, he gradually forms a deep bond with a local Sioux community, ultimately questioning his own identity, loyalty, and sense of belonging in a changing world.
What is the runtime of Dances with Wolves?
The theatrical cut of Dances with Wolves runs approximately 3 hours and 1 minute (181 minutes). An extended director’s cut, released in 1991, runs roughly 3 hours and 56 minutes, restoring additional scenes that deepen character development and the portrayal of Sioux culture.
What is the age rating for Dances with Wolves?
Dances with Wolves is rated PG-13 in the United States, indicating some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. The film contains scenes of frontier violence, battle sequences, and thematic intensity. It holds a rating of 15 in both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Who directed and wrote Dances with Wolves?
Dances with Wolves was directed by Kevin Costner, who also starred in the film. The screenplay was written by Michael Blake, adapted from his own 1988 novel. It was Costner’s directorial debut, and his work earned him the Academy Award for Best Director.
More About Dances with Wolves
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