DVD Reviews

Dances with Wolves (20th Anniversary Edition) - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Jan 11, 2011, 15:04 GMT

Kevin Costner stars in and directs this triumphant masterpiece written by Michael Blake, based on his novel. On Blu-ray for the very first time, this breathtaking 20th Anniversary Edition includes an extended cut of the film and all-new exclusive extras. Winner of seven Academy Awards®, including Best Directing and Best Picture, this modern classic tells the story of Lt. Dunbar (Costner), a Civil War hero who befriends a tribe of ...more

The best picture winner finally makes its high definition debut, featuring a fine transfer and new special features.  However, it should be noted that the film contained is not exactly the one that won the Oscar even if the set is nice.

In 1863, Lt. John J. Dunbar (Kevin Costner) is about to have his leg amputated.  He escapes the medical butchers and heads into the warzone.  He decides to die a soldier and requisitions a horse and rides in front of the Confederate soldiers.  His attempt is interpreted as bravery and he is awarded the horse he rode, Cisco, and the choice of where he is to be posted. 

He chooses the most outlying fort, Fort Sedgwick, from the deranged Maj. Fambrough (Maury Chaykin) because Dunbar wants to see the frontier before it’s gone.  Dunbar sets out with Timmons (Robert Pastorelli) who is hauling long overdue supplies to the fort.  When they arrive, they discover that the soldiers have abandoned the fort because of the lack of those supplies. 

He forces Timmons to leave them behind and takes up the task of rebuilding and cleaning up the neglected fort.  He also discovers that Sioux Indians are his neighbors when some of their children try and steal his horse. 

Dunbar eventually meets thoughtful medicine man Kicking Bird (Graham Greene), warlike Wind in his Hair (Rodney A. Grant), and the elderly Chief Ten Bears (Floyd Red Crow Westerman).  Dunbar even begins to befriend a wolf that he dubs Two Socks for his white paws. 

Language is a barrier but Kicking Bird’s adopted daughter Stands with a Fist (Mary McDonnell) was a white child that was found by the tribe and raised in their ways.  She serves as an interpreter between Kicking Bird and Dunbar and as the friendship between the two men grows so does Dunbar’s attraction towards Stands with a Fist.   

It’s somewhat ironic that I’m reviewing this film after Once Upon a Time in America.  The two share some similarities in that both are historical epics.  However, as I celebrate Once Upon a Time in America’s extended cut I will react milder to Dances with Wolves offering the same. 

The simple matter of fact is that the film won the Oscar for best picture (winning six more Oscars and being nominated for a further five), but the cut found on this disc (236 minute director’s cut) is not the cut that won the Oscar. 

Once Upon a Time in America did suffer much more of an editorial eviscerating than Dances, but the theatrical cut (175 minutes) of Dances also shorn it of some stuff that just needed cutting or tightening. 

The decision to only offer the longer cut of the film is an odd one.  I would’ve much preferred to have both cuts of the film on this disc, especially since it was the shorter one that actually won - seems a shade “revisionist” to me especially with best picture winner so predominately displayed on the box.  Oh well. 

I do think that some of the majesty has been minutely tarnished.  That doesn’t mean that the film has lost its entire luster, but I still wish for that theatrical pruning.  

Dances with Wolves found Kevin Costner making his directorial debut and hitting a homerun.  I’ve always enjoyed westerns and Dances with Wolves is no exception.  It’s full of masterful performances, especially from Costner, Greene, and McDonnell. 

Dances with Wolves is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.35:1).  Special features are in high definition, unless noted.  Disc one contains the extended cut of the film as well as two commentaries: one from director/star Kevin Costner and producer Jim Wilson and one from director of photography Dean Semler and editor Neil Travis. 

New to the Blu-ray is a pop-up trivia track that details the historical fact behind the film (called the Military History and Social Hierarchy guide) and also an interactive quiz game that can be played during the film (called Real History or Movie Make Believe).  Disc two starts off with a set of featurettes. 

The first is the new 14 minute “A Day in the Life on the Frontier” about life on the frontier, the vintage 21 minute (standard definition) “Making of Dances with Wolves,” and the expansive 75 minute (standard definition) “Creation of an Epic.” 

A selection of vignettes (all standard definition) is next (found as Easter eggs on the previous DVD methinks): there’s a 4 minute music video with John Barry’s score, the 5 minute “Second Wind” on the first 30 days of shooting, 2 minutes of Confederate re-enactors marching, the 4 minute “Getting the Point” about shooting arrows, the 1 minute “Burying the Hatchet” about a hatchet special effect, and 2 minutes on the animatronic buffalo. 

You also get the 2 minute theatrical trailer, 1 minute of standard definition TV spots, and a host of galleries. 

I nearly judged those stars at the bottom based on the lack of the theatrical cut.  In the end, the film is basically the same just in need of an edit.  That majesty is still there, though a millisecond ham-fisted or superfluous on occasion. 

I still enjoyed the film but prefer the theatrical edition.  There are still some fine images and interesting special features but I would’ve certainly liked both cuts.   I guess we judge what we’re given and Dances with Wolves still scores high. 

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