Dances With Wolves [Blu-ray] [1990] [Region Free]

DANCES WITH WOLVES [1990] [Blu-ray + ULTRAVIOLET] Winner of 7 Academy Awards! In 1864 one man went on Search of the Frontier . . . And Found Himself!Assigned to a remote outpost in the 1890s West, Lt. John Dunbar [Kevin Costner] fears the nearby Sioux Indians and expects to fight them, Instead, he befriends them and becomes the man in the middle of a brushfire of tension: the conflict between the U.S. expansion and the Native Americans. Kevin Costner plays Lt. John Dunbar and makes one of Hollywood's most impressive directorial debuts with the Winner of 7 Academy Awards® including Best Picture and best Director. Battles rage, fates collide, bison thunder across the prairie and the adventures epic, heroic heroes and stunning sweeping landscapes.FILM FACTS: Awards and Nominations: 1991 Academy Awards®: Won: Best Picture for Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner. Won: Best Director for Kevin Costner. Won: Best Adapted Screenplay for Michael Blake. Won: Best Cinematography for Dean Semler. Won: Best Sound for Russell Williams II, Jeffrey Perkins, Bill W. Benton, and Gregory H. Watkins. Won: Best Film Editing for Neil Travis. Won: Best Original Score for John Barry. Nominated: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Kevin Costner. Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Graham Greene. Nominated: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Mary McDonnell. Nominated: Best Art Direction for Jeffrey Beecroft for Production Design and Lisa Dean for Set Decoration. Nominated: Best Costume Design for Elsa Zamparelli. 1991 Golden Globe® Awards: Won: Best Motion Picture and Drama. Won: Best Director for a Motion Picture: Kevin Costner. Won: Best Screenplay for a Motion Picture for Michael Blake. Nominated: Best Actor in a Motion Picture for a Drama: Kevin Costner. Nominated: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Mary McDonnell. Nominated: Best Original Score for a Motion Picture for John Barry. In addition to becoming the first Western film to win an Academy Award® for Best Picture since 1931's ‘Cimarron.' Some little known buffalo facts: 3500 were used in the production, with two of the tamed ones belonging to rocker Neil Young. And how do you get a buffalo to charge on film, tempt him with Oreo cookies.Cast: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, Jimmy Herman, Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, Michael Spears, Jason R. Lone Hill, Tony Pierce, Doris Leader Charge, Tom Everett, Larry Joshua, Kirk Baltz, Wayne Grace, Donald Hotton, Annie Costner, Conor Duffy, Elisa Daniel, Percy White Plume, John Tail, Steve Reevis, Sheldon Peters Wolfchild, Redwing Ted Nez, Marvin Holy, Raymond Newholy, Wes Studi, Buffalo Child, Clayton Big Eagle, Richard Leader Charge, Kent Hays, Robert Goldman, R.L. Curtin, Teddy (Two Socks Wolf), Buck (Two Socks Wolf), Michael Horton (uncredited), J. Wesley Adams (uncredited), Bill Costner (uncredited) and Jim Wilson (uncredited)Director: Kevin CostnerProducers: Kevin Costner, Jim Wilson, Bonnie Arnold, Derek Kavanagh and Jake EbertsScreenplay: Michael Blake (screenplay/novel)Composer: John BarryCinematography: Dean SemlerVideo Resolution: 1080pAspect Ratio: 2.36:1Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Master Audio, Italian: Dolby Digital, Spanish: Dolby Digital and Czech: Dolby DigitalSubtitles: English, Italian, Italian SDH, Spanish, Dutch and Castilian SpanishRunning Time: 181 minutesRegion: All RegionsNumber of disc: 1Studio: Warner Home VideoAndrew's Blu-ray Review: Leading man Kevin Costner made his directorial debut in 1990 with ‘Dances with Wolves,’ the fictional tale of a despondent white man who regains his sense of purpose with a tribe of American Indians against the backdrop of the western frontier. The film was a hard sell: Westerns were not in vogue at the time, not to mention that Costner was insistent on keeping the running time at a potentially-lethal three hours as well as relying on the heavy use of subtitles. The roots of ‘Dances with Wolves’ were seeded 8 years earlier, with Kevin Costner's first screen credit, a largely forgettable offering titled ‘Stacy's Knights’ [1983]. The film's greatest contribution was the initial collaboration between Kevin Costner, the film's director, Jim Wilson, and the scriptwriter Michael Blake. In subsequent years, Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner would create a production company and make seven films together, including ‘Dances with Wolves’ in the producer's seat.Wounded on a Civil War battlefield, Lt. John Dunbar [Kevin Costner] watches as his own suicidal act results in unexpected heroism, leading to a promotion and a requested assignment on the Great Plains of America. Taking command of a dilapidated fort by himself, Dunbar rejuvenates his mind, taking to nature observation and journaling as a way of passing the time before reinforcements arrive. Visited by a tribe of Sioux Indians, led by Kicking Bird [Graham Greene], Dunbar is immediately drawn to this alien nation, intrigued by the peaceful curiosity exhibited by a people he's been trained to call the enemy. Through various offerings of trust and prairie insight, Dunbar soon becomes part of the community, falling for their adoptive Caucasian daughter, Stands with a Stands with a Fist [Mary McDonnell]. Making a life with the Native Americans, Dunbar, now rechristened ‘Dances with Wolves,’ finds his rightful home, but worries for the safety of the Sioux as military forces encroach on the land.Collecting numerous honours, omnipresent publicity, and gargantuan box office during its theatrical run, it's easy to forget the precarious position ‘Dances with Wolves' was in before its release in 1990. Here was a three-hour motion picture working a wheezing genre, with a major chunk of its running time devoted to subtitles for the Lakota Sioux language spoken in the film. It was a picture of respect and revisionism in a time when Westerns weren't so culturally tolerant, driving into the great expanse of the West to explore the tentative bond between enemies. It was also a $17-million-dollar gamble for Kevin Costner, who pieced together the budget while developing a script written by his dear friend Michael Blake, which was adapted from his own novel, while also assuming intensive performance duties. And to make the project even more unattractive to outsiders, Kevin Costner elected to direct, making his feature debut. And boy did it ever. `Dances with Wolves' quickly ascended to cultural ubiquity, assuming sleeper command as audiences flocked to see a compassionate western starring a rare actor of affable all-American charisma. However, its raging success obscured a great deal of its artistry, with subsequent years turning the film into a punching bag for loutish OSCAR® pundits and the understandably disillusioned anti-Kevin Costner crowd. A burning resentment that's unearned and unfair.At the core of ‘Dances with Wolves' lies a story heavy with vulnerability, taking an uncommon route of contemplation in a genre that typically revels in war. Blake's tale is one of spiritual breakthrough, as Lt. John Dunbar grows to find himself in the middle of nowhere, compelled to follow his heart while his head rattles with duty and doubt. It's a beautiful illustration of instinct as the lead character interacts and soon melds with the Sioux, finding a home with his adversary, only to discover there are little differences between the "white man" and the Native Americas. It's a note of tolerance that would crumble in many other hands, played either too syrupy or too abruptly. Kevin Costner allows his film to soak in the juices of discovery, encouraging the viewer to be lulled in by the majesty of the locations and the integrity of personal expression and a directorial blend of John Ford and David Lean, with a few Terrence Malick beats of naturalistic texture found along the way.`Dances with Wolves' is never saccharine, never melodramatic; it's paced to embrace character catharsis while the narrative moseys along, intensifying Dunbar's odyssey. There's no doubt the rebirth is nurtured by Dean Semler's stunning prairie cinematography and it's a film to live inside of, not just watch passively, which treats blue skies and rolling pastures as scripture, but the central emotional bloom of the film is carefully encouraged throughout, creating this tractor beam of drama as Lt. John Dunbar is compelled to push his Sioux alliance further. The arc is hypnotic, not simply because of Kevin Costner's deceptively straightforward "aw, shucks" performance, but in the deliberate pace of the story, which takes the time to appreciate the psychology shared between the diverse cultures, honouring stances of pride and threat, especially the Sioux who are hardly pipe-sucking pacifists, breathing in the pure magnificence of the pause as this sweeping drama plays out.It's Kevin Costner's steady hand that makes a miracle out of ‘Dances with Wolves.' It's cinematic integrity with timing and composure that could only emerge from a young, hungry filmmaker surrounded by a pack of supportive friends, remarkable collaborators, and a splendid ensemble offered an exquisite amount of screen time to feel out the unsettled nature of their characters. Extra attention must be paid to McDonnell, who creates a feral, wounded creature out of Stands with a Fist, refusing to wilt in the presence of picture's brightest star. The performance is a sustained surprise, taking intriguing linguistic turns while generating authentic heat with Kevin Costner and their extended dance of the pants. Graham Greene also hits several grace notes as the conflicted tribal leader, a man willing to trust Lt. John Dunbar, yet wise enough to understand the charge of settlers sure to follow him.Of course, no discussion of `Dances with Wolves' would be complete without genuflecting in front of composer John Barry, who gifts the screen one of the great all-time film scores, soothingly enriching Dunbar's journey with romantic and adventurous themes that curl up around the picture, evoking cross-country movement and longing with a symphonic sanctuary that's emotionally crippling. It's aural splendour from a long-time industry deity.Blu-ray Video Quality – The stunning 1080p encoded image is awesome and it has a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and is a revelatory experience, with ‘Dances With Wolves' coming across as majestic as ever on this Blu-ray disc, providing a richly rewarding viewing experience unseen since its theatrical debut. Colours are of primary concern, with the presentation clinging tightly to the wondrous blue skies and outdoorsy particulars of the locations, supplying crisp hues that preserve the cinematographic intent, creating several astonishing moments of naturalistic intensity. Costumes and actors are heartily detailed, with textures easy to recognize and enjoy, greatly reinforcing the production effort and the tattered integrity of the era. Close-ups are ideally gritty and natural, displaying natural skin tones and intricate make-up work. Shadow detail buttresses the image superbly, pulling pure detail out of low-light scenarios, supplying a richer read of frame information with moderate softness. The viewing event is crisp and evocative, allowing the film some home entertainment glory.Blu-ray Audio Quality – The English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Master Audio sound mix is an invigorating aural experience that assists the film's mood and dramatic hold with a wide range of elements, smoothly blended into a cinematic event. Perhaps most important here is the score, which retains such elegant, persuasive life on the track, sweeping across the mix when called upon, or keeping a respectful distance during more private encounters. The music is a key element of the feature, keeping in perfect step with the images. Atmospherics are just as critical, with beautiful, lush elements of environmental changes keeping the surrounds alive with energy, nicely balanced with the frontal dialogue exchanges. Action beats are intense without overkill, feeling out interesting directional activity with arrows and bullets. Low-end is lovely, becoming something truly remarkable during the buffalo hunt centrepiece sequence, with the creatures rumbling along, creating a gorgeous sensation of weight and power to best underscore the enormity of the moment.Blu-ray Special Features and Extras: Sadly there are extras with this Blu-ray disc. Surely Warner Home Movies must have lots of behind-the-scenes extras and interviewing the all the people involved with the film.Finally, Time has softened the impact of ‘Dances with Wolves' and sugar-coated many of its grim realities and the film's detractors tend to forget the picture's eye-opening body count, yet the feature retains extraordinary intelligence and care, earnestly investigating the ties that bind and the prejudices that divide. It's a tale of immense pastoral presence and intimacy, an irresistible serving of consciousness in the heartland. Kevin Costner might have lost his way during his career as his ego inflated and monetary concerns were, but ‘Dances with Wolves' is as genuine an artistic triumph as they come; a spellbinding American classic that tastes the tears of a country in the midst of all its incomparable beauty. Despite the pitiful woeful exclusion of Extras, which makes me very angry, but I am still honoured to have this classic Western Opera in my Blu-ray Collection. Highly Recommended!Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film AficionadoLe Cinema ParadisoUnited Kingdom

Such was the success of 1990 Western epic ‘Dances With Wolves’, the movie, adapted from a novel by Michael Blake, went on to be designated culturally, historically or aesthetically significant by the United States Library of Congress. Kevin Costner fronts as Lieutenant John Dunbar, a cultivated Union Army officer seeking to experience burgeoning U.S.A’s Western Frontier before its extinction – and it is the means of this extinction forming an important pillar of Dances With Wolves structure; the historical end of course being Native American populaces driven to marginality on various reservations. Bridging cultural alterity was not a 19th century strong suit whether that be as part of the U.S.A’s expansionism west or colonial Great Britain’s sundry global misdeeds, but in Dunbar we find one willing to take that leap of faith.Whether it be The Bodyguard, Robin Hood or JFK, Kevin Costner is indisputably a top echelon dab hand of Hollywood, at this juncture depicting a contemplative, peaceable persona in Dunbar. Where the majority of 19th century beings possessed perspective ending at the tip of the nose, Dunbar’s outlook is as infinite as the dusty, sun-baked prairielands of The Great Plains expanse where Dances With Wolves plays out. Manning an abandoned military outpost alone, Dunbar in short order comes into contact with the Sioux tribe of the territory, starting out a circumspect stand-off, in time to grow into friendship as his new-fangled Native American neighbours find the Union Army officer’s designs to be of benevolent strand.In the funny way time has, I can remember watching Dances With Wolves as a youngster, possessing confessedly a smattering of small-scale, casual prejudices toward supposed savages in Native American peoples. With age comes the ability to contextualise, the story of tribes including the Sioux as spotlighted here in fact constituting intended victims of a historical paradigm well established globally by 1863 when the film is set. Fear of the unknown is both a powerful stimulant and inducement to persecution where a smaller, older society meets a larger civilization seeking to expand; by the 19th century, more often than not driven by motifs related to capitalism. Prior to conclusion, the historical model usually took shape thus. The greater the extent of alterity between the large and small society in language, appearance and custom, the more acute the need, thence perceived justification for the burgeoning society to overcome its smaller adjacent. War ensues, with the ancient society fighting with what it has and in the only way it can. Meeting early military failures, the larger society, having the means to do so, promulgates lies, disinformation and amplification of what truthfully comprises a natural superiority in combat aptitude possessed by warrior, honour-centric fellowships - public outrage and a sense of unified purpose to destroy is therein engendered. 19th century America was no different to British or French harbingers in couching collective approach to indigenous peoples as that of ‘Civilizers’, hauling recalcitrant groupings from primitivism into enlightenment. Still, progress, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Around the notion of population size mattering, I can remember well a former colleague once saying to me, albeit in a very different context, “A child in a village is every bit as important as a child in a city” – well the same goes up one level for communities worldwide, no group of people can credibly place themselves superiorly above another simply because theirs is the more numerous. To any ethical mind, rationalizing size as governing priority does not stand up to scrutiny yet too often this composed history’s cold, simplistic reality stripped back.In Dances With Wolves, Dunbar takes the manful course where demarcation is discerned, bridging that chasm more often of the imagination than materiality. Dunbar finds a kindred spirit in ‘Kicking Bird’, the pair making for a diverting exhibition as language proves the main impediment between white soldier and Sioux Holy Man. First Nations actor Graham Greene is tremendous as Kicking Bird, a likewise moderate, inquisitive man who quickly develops an accord with Dunbar before their relationship incrementally heads toward deep-rooted friendship. This is where Dances With Wolves transcends a standard White Saviour thrust: it presents Native American people in an heroic light and perhaps just as importantly, as human beings with a strong, well-defined, age old heritage. In 1990 quite possibly a film antinomy, as events transpire it is white people in Dunbar’s Union Army who return to haunt the lieutenant in despicable, tyrannical mould with the Sioux very much in the crosshairs. Dunbar is joined in this dilemma of having not only to face but fight his past by Mary McDonnell’s Stands With a Fist, a young white lady assimilated into the Sioux from childhood after her family were killed by Pawnee. Visibly traumatised attempting to recall her childhood language of English, Stands With a Fist and Dunbar even so embark on a tastefully staged love story, both attaining highest imaginable communal respect within their Sioux niche.All told, Dances With Wolves stands even now as one of cinema’s authentic greats. Spiritedly challenging lazy misconceptions around Native American peoples was a brave step to take thirty-one years ago but the accolades, awards and critical response to Michael Blake’s screenplay are tribute to the redefining impact this movie made.

What an amazing film five🌟⭐⭐🌟🌟