~ A Kevin Costner film ~
Adapted from
Michael Blake's novel
Winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture
The Civil War had ended,
but one man's battle with himself
was just beginning...
Rewarded for his heroism in the Civil War,
Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin 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
(Mary 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
which 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.
Kicking Bird:
" We come far, you and me.
I will not forget you, Dances With Wolves..."
Dunbar:
"It was hard to know how to feel.
I'd never been in a battle like this.
There was no dark political objective.
This was not a fight for territory or
riches or to make men free.
It had been fought to preserve
the winter food stores,
to protect the women and children..."
"...I gradually began to look at it in a new way.
I felt a pride I'd never felt before.
I'd never really known who John Dunbar was.
Perhaps the name itself had no meaning.
But as I heard my Sioux name being called over and over,
I knew for the first time who I really was..."
"It seems every day ends with a miracle here.
And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day.
We had all the meat we could possibly carry.
We had hunted for three days, losing six ponies
and only three men injured.
I'd never known a people so eager to laugh,
so devoted to family, so dedicated to each other.
And the only word that came to mind was harmony..."
Dunbar:
"Killing the soldiers at the river was a good thing.
I did not mind killing those men.
I was glad to do it.
But the soldiers hate me now, like they hate no other.
They think I am a traitor.
And they will hunt for me.
And when they find me, they find you.
I think it would be wise to move the village now.
I will be leaving.
I must go and talk with those who would listen."
Ten Bears:
"You are the only white man I have ever known.
I have thought about you a lot.
More than you know.
But I think you are wrong.
The man the soldiers are looking for no longer exists.
Now there is only a Sioux named Dances With Wolves..."
"...I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life
there is one that matters most.
It is the trail of a true human being.
I think you are on this trail and it is good to see."
("Dances with Wolves" in LAKOTA Language)
