Review of Dances with Wolves (1990) by Inka-Emilia L — 12 Aug 2011

The Epic Dances With Wolves (running at over 3 hours), tells of the American Civil War soilder John Dunbar, as he requests to be transfered to the frontier, to see it before it finally disappears. So he is sent to an outpost long abandonded all alone in Indian country - and no one knows he's there.Here he befriends the Seoix, and makes friends with his wolf he calls two socks, and his horse - ever faithful.

This film isn't heavy on the plotting, but it's sweeping snap shot into the lives of Native Americans and the fronteers men.Set on the golden plains of Dakota, there is a real sence of abondoment and isolation.

One of my favourite scenes is the one where the Indians from another tribe attack, and he says I've never been in a battle like this one, they weren't fighting for any political reasons, religious, or for freedoms - it was for survival, so there would be enough food on the plains to see out winter. I mean that's they only reason there really should be war. And it's horrible, but not as horrible as the disgusting wars without meaning.

It's a poetic meandering film with a meloncholy mood.