As a Lakota who grew up on the reservation in ND, this is such a great movie. The language is real Lakota being spoken. Kevin Costner hired some of the last remaining fluent speakers to teach the actors the language. He was adopted by the Lakota as an Honorary member.
There is a story that the dialect they were taught is uniquely feminine and that the way the actors portray it they are basically insulting each other the entire time (unknowingly), the elders who were hired to teach them apparently thought it was funny.
@@kbrewski1 There are many Native American nation and tribes. What these specifics are is that the Sioux nation is typically divided among the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota. I think slight language variants, similar to old High, Middle and Low German, if you get my drift. Within those grouping are the tribes of Sisseton, Wahpeton, Wahpekute, Teton, Hunkpapa, Yankton, etc. I grew up in North Dakota but moved away decades ago, going o memory. We learned local history, where state and town names came from. Like how I hear Texans all learn about the Alamo and such in their elementary school. TLDR, Lakota Dakota would be like sibling tribes.
@@robertsmith4681 Yeah, I think the primary dialogue coach was and older woman, so it would be natural that the speech would be feminine. Behind the scenes extras, I believe she is in the group shots like the tent gatherings.
The common theory is that the insane commander who unalived himself was suffering from syphilis and that's why he was so crazy. The bigger meaning behind the scene is that no one else knows about Lt. Dunbar or that he's been assigned to the region.
I remember watching this movie with my late ex-wife and one of our friends, both type-1 diabetics. At the ending scene of the pants pissing officer committing suicide, I wondered out loud "what's wrong with him ?" My wife and friend replied almost in unison, "Diabetic !" I suppose that very well might be true. People having diabetic episodes can show some pretty bizarre behavior, and for someone that is not familiar with symptoms of insulin shock or high blood sugar, it's easy to assume that your witnessing someone having a psychotic episode or a mental breakdown. I guess that back then not much was known about diabetes. And for anyone who was unfortunate enough to be born with type-1 or adult on-set diabetes, it was pretty much a death sentence.
When I was 12 years old, this movie, and the Lakota language, inspired me to study languages. 34 years I'm still a linguist. And I still listen to Lakȟótiyapi to remind me how beautiful languages can be (even if I now know the verbs were a *little* bit off in the movie.)
@ That wasn’t insulting. I didn’t call him an idiot. I said his statement was idiotic. I’m high IQ but I’ve said idiotic things in the past and been called out on it. To be able to write what this guy wrote, you have to severely limited in cultural knowledge and understanding. Encountering me means the door is open to him, to better himself.
SIR I am 1/4 Mohawk and a combat vet. I want to offer you and your father the utmost respect and honor. May God bless you and your family for the rest of your lives.
This country owes your dad a debt of gratitude so that can never be fulfilled. Though it is woefully inadequate, I will still say thank you to your father for his service and sacrifice to and for our great nation. You must be very proud, and you have every right to be.
I was around 5 when the family took a trip to the Black Hills and Rushmore. I don't remember monument. I don't remember the scenery. I do remember meeting a kind old man, a Lakota grandfather who taught me Hau Kola and patiently dismissed many of the stereotypes I had already formed about The People.
It takes a white man to make a movie like this that gets you in the feels. My white ancestors made lumberjack tools and furnaces out of the wilderness. I will not apologises for the success of my white forefathers.
There seems to be a consensus that Goodfellas should have won, but I've honestly always been glad DwW won instead. Although Goodfellas has some classic segments, it's still a pretty depressing tale of a bunch of low-lifes. There's not much going on narratively, regardless of how well-made it is. None of the characters change or reflect in any way. Whereas Dances with Wolves tells a majestic story with wonderful character development. Goodfellas feels rather anaemic by comparison, despite all its style.
@@claytonpaddison6721 the choices these composers make always amaze me, for example the opening John Dunbar theme with the trumpet reminds me of Taps but less sad… and he combines it with a snare drum which gives a military feel, since John Dunbar was a soldier.
This is one of those movies I revisit about once a year. Amazing Costner not only starred in it, but directed it as well. Even after 35 years, it still holds up.
I have heard an interview where he said a friend of his stayed in his home while struggling. So long that he wore out his welcome. His friend had some attitude problems and just wasn't making his way in Hollywood. Kevin finally had to kick him out of the house. The friend left a manuscript at his house. It took a long time for Costner to get over the bitterness of the friends' attitude problem. After a long time, while the friend was doing dishes just to sustain himself, and the friend called and asked him to please read the manuscript did Kevin realize it was the script for this film.
Yes-Also the part when the Cosner goes to the village to tell them of the buffalo herd. The Indians look like they are celebrating but they are actually killing the buffalo robe hunters. That’s why they started to attack him….
"Who has time to run and carry a flag, at a time like this?" The Standard Bearer. This was a great honor, not lightly given. A man chosen for such a position had to be an excellent soldier and above all brave, as some of the most desperate and difficult fighting would occur around the banner, for morale, leadership, and communication reasons. As an example of this, I'm often reminded of the scene on the beach in 'Glory' before the 54th Massachusetts makes their assault on Fort Wagner.
My Civil War reenactment group was one of 3 that took part in the opening scenes of the movie. We also worked on Glory, Gettysburg, Gods and Generals and numerous History Channel episodes. Mr. Costner was very approachable and even had dinner in our camp with the reenactors a few times. T. Boyte Capt. Norfolk Light Artillery, CSA National Civil Assn.
I was the Key Grip on Gods and Generals and Fields of Freedom (a movie about the battle of Gettysburg made for the visitor's center there) so I did a lot of work with your reenactment group. I must say, these movies couldn't get made without you reenactors. Everybody already has their correct period uniform and can perform convincing sing marching and drills. The producers could never get a bunch of random extras to be that convincing.
Dances With Wolves is one of the most beautiful movie to ever grace the silver screen. After Dances With Wolves (1990) and Unforgiven (1992) the Western genre only could go downhill for a few years (with a few exceptions).
Lakota laughed in the theater and commented their language has one version for women and another for men, and all the "Lakota" men in the movie were speaking female. (That's because it has simpler grammar and is easier for English speakers to learn from scratch, so that is the version the producers chose to have the cast taught.)
Well also that Doris Leader Charge, who also played the wife to Ten Bears in the movie, is the one that taught them Lakota. She is a female so it shouldn't be that surprising.
Oh yeah I saw the Biography documentary on this movie. They interviewed a Native American guy who led protests against this movie (turns out he’s an actor himself and therefore I see he was really trying to get noticed and used the protests to further himself) and he said he was making fun of how the men in the movie spoke the dialogue.
@@jacobshonkwiler9081 Well, animals also feel and think and decide. I understand your point, it is true and it is not. He died protecting his pack as best he could.
@@jacobshonkwiler9081you try not becoming friends with a cute friendly wolf when you’ve been alone in the middle of no where for weeks on end at a time… please… 😂
I saw this when it came out in theaters with my parents. Was one of the most moving movies i had seen at an age of like 11-15. I'm now 45, still in my top 5 of near perfect moving movies!
I just love this movie every time I watch it and I, like you, am heartbroken and cry each time. I don't think anyone could provide a better summary of this movie than you did. Your insite, heart and respect are appreciated.
This was filmed in South Dakota. The movie sets are near Mount Rushmore, and you can visit them. I lived in Wyoming for several years, and the peace of the plains is a unique and beautiful experience.
You’re right, I was around spearfish canyon and there was a historical marker about the movies winter scenes being filmed in that area and you can see the mountain that they used for the scene with the wolf howling on top. The badlands was a filming area too
Early 90s my school showed us this movie over the course of a few days as we were learning about Native American culture. This movie is seared into my memory - so powerful even when I was only 10 years old!
Greetings from Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut Argentina ...thirty years ago see that espectacular movie with my father but now touch my soul...tank you very much young lady, i cried like a child with you...
Before coming out this movie was questioned because of it's length. But that was forgotten when watching it 35 years ago with so many stories and relationships plus absolutely stunning landscapes and filming. And trying to stay as true as possible. Ames a beautiful emotional reaction. Cheer's Gorgeous.x
I was a teen in 1990. Before opening day, everybody scoffed at the idea of Kevin Costner (who had never directed) directing a three-hour-plus movie, two-thirds with subtitles of a language nobody had ever heard, that made whites the villains. It was predicted to be a bomb. Then it opened and blew everyone's minds and swept the Oscars.
I am 53, I was raised by my great-grandfather and my grandma. They told me so much stories. I grew up talking talking with my hands because of them. I can hadn it down to my kids. I grew up too fast because of the harshness of how things were. But I have so much great stories that show how tough we are. My dad and uncle digging a tunnel to get away from the rcmp. My Kooksum talked to the cops till they tunneled them selves away under the snow. Then when they got away, she kicked the tunnel in.
This movie gives us a brief & rare glimpse of what can happen when we have the conversation, rather than simply mocking and destroying what we don't understand. Fat lot of good it did, we have learned nothing from it.
Thank you for reacting to this amazing movie. Both Graham Greene (Kicking Bird) and Tantoo Cardinal (Kicking Bird's wife) are in the movie Wind River (with Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen). It's a modern tale of the plight of the indians, and another excellent film that you might consider.
This was my first time seeing your channel and you do a fabulous job of balancing appreciation of the filmmaking while staying immersed in the story. Well done!
When my family rented and watched this on our tv my dog flipped out every time there was a scene with stampeding Buffalo. It was funny, and fascinating watching her instincts come out.
Stand with a Fist is actually a composite of two historical characters. Cynthia Ann Paker and her aunt Rachel Parker Plummer. They were both kidnapped in 1836 by the Comanches when they were 8 and 17 years old respectively. Cynthia Ann lived with the Comanches for many years and married the comanche chief. Rachel Plummer was traded to mexican traders who then traded her to the white settlers. Cynthia Ann was "rescued" and repatriated with the Parker family when she was an adult. She could never transition back and always wanted to run away and cutting herself. Cynthia Ann's son Quanah Parker became the last Comanche chief that surrendered and led his people to live in a reservation. He became a successful rancher.
When this film won the Oscar, here in Spain the TV news mocked saying "...a cowboy and Indian movie has won the Oscar." Then they ate their words when here the film was a success and the audience loved it. One of the most emotional films about the encounter between different cultures ever made.
I loved your reaction to this. This movie was filmed mainly in my region and most of my relatives were extras riding the horses. The beautiful scenes in this movie are still going until this day. Being indigenous, this movie was a huge leap for our people because of the old movie stereotypes. Until this day we still practice our ways as much as possible. Thank you for being so genuine and loved your closing remarks.
This was filmed just outside of my hometown of Pierre, SD. My brother saw the actors all the time, because he worked at the local movie theater, and the cast would come in a lot. Apparently I met Costner once, but I was young and didn’t know who he was. My brother was working that night and told me that the guy joking with me was Kevin Costner.
There are good additions, but for the most part it's filler. It ruins the mystery of what happened at the camp post Costner is assigned to. Sometimes less is more.
@@dan_hitchman007agreed. This might be my all time favorite movie, but the extended version is a bit too slow. I’ve yet to see an extended cut of any movie that actually improved the overall experience. There’s usually good reason why scenes are edited down
You made me cry when you started crying when they killed Two-Socks. Graham Greene, who plays Kicking-Bird, is also in the Mel Gibson Comedy/Western, Maverick. You’ll love it!
Thank you for sharing this emotional reaction. I saw this movie in theaters the day it was released as a 14 year old, and it has been my all-time favorite movie ever since. Lots of lessons to be learned from this one if you are willing to listen.
There is a great documentary here on TH-cam about this movie and how Kevin put it together. The care he has for the people and he found a woman who was one of the last people to actually speak the language and she helped bring it to life. Such a huge care in making this movie.
Already mentioned, but I'd like to second the idea: Little Big Man (1970) stars Dustin Hoffman as a white man who lived as a child with the Lakota, then went back and forth between white and Lakota society a number of times over the years, winding up as a scout for Custer at Little Bighorn, hoping to lure Custer into a disastrous suicidal attack. Chief Dan George plays Hoffman's Lakota mentor, in an unforgettably congenial and colorful performance. An old favorite of mine. Another film that gives features Lakota society is A Man Called Horse (also 1970), starring Richard Harris. Considered with Dances with Wolves, these are three very different takes on Lakota culture, but all are at least attempts to counter the white-skewed viewpoints of traditional Westerns with something of an inside look at the indigenous way of life.
The flag bearer was an important job. Gun powder in those days emitted a great deal of smoke and it was easy for a soldier to get lost in the middle of a battlefield and the flag bearer's job was to hold the big flag of the country/regiment up high above the smoke so the soldiers would know where to go.
Bannermen were not only positions of honor not only because of the symbolic use of the banners but because they were used to signal troops through the fog of war. If I remember my military history correctly, it was first used by the Egyptian armies and then made standard in Western civilization by the Roman legions. Only the most trusted soldiers were selected as bannermen.
This movie means a lot to me in so many different ways. I love and adore the first nations peoples. Might sound a little cliche but in some very small way i relate to Dunbar. Im white from a Norwegian/Irish/German ethnicity. My best friend is a Choctaw native. I have always been fascinated by native american people since i was a kid. Im about to be 40 now. I met him a little over ten years ago. He has taken me to numerous pow wows. The native people have taken me right in and taught me and showed me their culture and i have loved every second of it. He is from Oklahoma and i am from Texas. I have gotten to meet their Chief. What an experience i have gotten to have. I feel privileged.
No animals were specifically harmed for the movie. They did use the bodies of many real animals, some taxidermy. Many dogs, elk, etc bodies were sourced from euthanized shelters, road kill, or loaned hides/antlers from ranch raised slaughters. They spent over $250k on 23 fake buffalo and mechanical taxidermized animals for special effects shots and close ups. 3,500 real buffalo were rented from ranchers for the stampede, several were equipped with fake clip-on arrows on their fur. Trained stunt horses were used for falls. And finally there were a few domesticated buffalo ("Mammoth" a pet of Neil Young, and "Cody" who was a corporate mascot of the South Dakota meat company...the latter who would do pretty much anything for an occasional Oreo cookie. In fact, the buffalo charging at the young boy was done by Cody running happily for an Oreo being held up off screen).
You have a beautiful spirit. Thanks for honoring our people with your kind and thoughtful words. I encourage you to watch the making of for some great insights into the astounding dedication Costner put into bringing his masterpiece to life. Respect.
I remember this being my dad's favorite movies growing up. I had seen it several times growing up but when i finally watched it as an adult I understood his love for the movie.
I'm glad I got to see this in the theatre when it came out. people were saying to, and they were right. the big panoramic shots were so epic on the big screen. some movies are absolutely worth it.
It is always such a wonderful experience to watch your reactions, Ames. Your combined compassion, empathy, humor and intellect are astonishing. You are a wonderful human being, and the Earth is a better place because you are here. Thank you for showing us the person you are inside.
Kevin Costner, he makes great Westerns and Baseball movies. This is one of his best, great emotional reaction. Just like to wish a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He did a biography movie about Wyatt Earp worth a watch.
It's too bad that because of man's greed and ignorance, the long shots of the buffalo herds in the film were matte paintings. They once covered the landscape of the plains, but no more. Now, there are just small herds left.
Great movie. I remember watching like the uncut 5 hour version. Long as hell but amazing! Open Range is another amazing Kevin Costner western to check out.
12:03 That's the guy who played the Indian cop in Thunderheart, another movie worth watching. It also has Val Kilmer (Tombstone, Heat, Top Gun), Fred Ward (The Right Stuff, Tremors) , Sam Shepherd (The Right Stuff), Fred Thompson (The Hunt for Red October, Secretariat, Cape Fear).
One of the greatest films ever made and one of my top 5 movies of all time. When it's on, I have to watch it. Thanks for sharing your feelings with us!
I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out. I was a young man, 21. It is such a perfect movie. The story, the acting, the cinematography.. everything. Absolutely breathtaking. The buffalo hunt scene was unlike anything I had ever seen before. So realistic. In the theater, it literally felt like the floor was shaking from the sound. It felt like you were there. And the final scene when Wind In His Hair says goodbye... so powerful. This is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time
If I remember correctly, Costner had a writer friend kinda down on his luck. Costner let him stay at his house and sorta pushed him to write something, anything. This movie is the result.
@@poolhall9632 I replied with a link to the clip that you might be referring to, but it has been auto hidden by TH-cam (which means people can still see it if they sort comments by 'Newest First'). The title of the clip I linked to is: "Kevin Costner's Kindness Was Repaid - The Graham Norton Show" So if people search that they can probably also find it by themselves.
Saw this in the theater with my mom when I was a little kid. Half way through, the showing stopped and couldn't be finished. I was too young to remember why, but I remember we all got tickets to come back and see it again. Growing up we'd go to the Navajo Pueblo my cousins lived on and see where my grandpa grew up. Sometimes we'd be there when dances were being celebrated and this movie brings back all those memories.
I loved his relationship with Wind in His Hair! The scene at the end where he is yelling that he will always be his friend just makes me sob 😭
So beautiful !
That and when they kill his horse and wolf.
Wind in His Hair is such an amazing character and very well acted.
@ I agree! Him and Kicking Bird.
Epic. It is one of the more powerful scenes in cinematic history.
As a Lakota who grew up on the reservation in ND, this is such a great movie. The language is real Lakota being spoken. Kevin Costner hired some of the last remaining fluent speakers to teach the actors the language. He was adopted by the Lakota as an Honorary member.
How are the Lakotas related or connected to the Dakota Indian tribe?
There is a story that the dialect they were taught is uniquely feminine and that the way the actors portray it they are basically insulting each other the entire time (unknowingly), the elders who were hired to teach them apparently thought it was funny.
@@kbrewski1 There are many Native American nation and tribes. What these specifics are is that the Sioux nation is typically divided among the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota. I think slight language variants, similar to old High, Middle and Low German, if you get my drift. Within those grouping are the tribes of Sisseton, Wahpeton, Wahpekute, Teton, Hunkpapa, Yankton, etc. I grew up in North Dakota but moved away decades ago, going o memory. We learned local history, where state and town names came from. Like how I hear Texans all learn about the Alamo and such in their elementary school. TLDR, Lakota Dakota would be like sibling tribes.
@@robertsmith4681 Yeah, I think the primary dialogue coach was and older woman, so it would be natural that the speech would be feminine. Behind the scenes extras, I believe she is in the group shots like the tent gatherings.
My favorite line in the whole movie: "We come far...........you and me."
Great Line, my fave is right after that "CANT YOU SEE THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY FRIEND!!!!"
@@justinhephner2117 can*
@@justinhephner2117 That was one of the pivoting and heartbreaking moments.
I love the stoic yet deep way that Graham Greene delivers it too.
It defines the movie.
The common theory is that the insane commander who unalived himself was suffering from syphilis and that's why he was so crazy. The bigger meaning behind the scene is that no one else knows about Lt. Dunbar or that he's been assigned to the region.
Correct
I remember watching this movie with my late ex-wife and one of our friends, both type-1 diabetics. At the ending scene of the pants pissing officer committing suicide, I wondered out loud "what's wrong with him ?" My wife and friend replied almost in unison, "Diabetic !" I suppose that very well might be true. People having diabetic episodes can show some pretty bizarre behavior, and for someone that is not familiar with symptoms of insulin shock or high blood sugar, it's easy to assume that your witnessing someone having a psychotic episode or a mental breakdown. I guess that back then not much was known about diabetes. And for anyone who was unfortunate enough to be born with type-1 or adult on-set diabetes, it was pretty much a death sentence.
As member of the tribe this movie is based off, I am oglala Lakota I have to say thank you for doing it AHO!!
❤️❤️❤️
When I was 12 years old, this movie, and the Lakota language, inspired me to study languages. 34 years I'm still a linguist. And I still listen to Lakȟótiyapi to remind me how beautiful languages can be (even if I now know the verbs were a *little* bit off in the movie.)
@@holddownaGraham Greene is Canadian, by the way
@@holddowna BTW, if you do watch Thunderheart it is not nearly as hard to watch as this.
there is only one tribe: human
I always tear up when Wind in his Hair is shouting at the end.
For a film that was released more than 30 years ago, this story and its message have withstood the test of time. Kudos for its presentation anew!
“For a film that was released more than 30 years ago…” What a completely idiotic comment. Most great films are older than 30 years.
@@kentjensen4504 even though you're technically right there was no reason to be insulting
@ That wasn’t insulting. I didn’t call him an idiot. I said his statement was idiotic. I’m high IQ but I’ve said idiotic things in the past and been called out on it. To be able to write what this guy wrote, you have to severely limited in cultural knowledge and understanding. Encountering me means the door is open to him, to better himself.
Agreed! I wore out my VHS of this film, I'd watch it repeatedly.
@kentjensen4504 What are you talking about?
This is definitely one of the best western genre films of all time. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ames.
Hau kola, I am a Oglala Lakota Sioux from Pine Ridge Reservation South Dakota. My dad was a Sioux Code Talker during World War 2
SIR I am 1/4 Mohawk and a combat vet. I want to offer you and your father the utmost respect and honor. May God bless you and your family for the rest of your lives.
This country owes your dad a debt of gratitude so that can never be fulfilled. Though it is woefully inadequate, I will still say thank you to your father for his service and sacrifice to and for our great nation. You must be very proud, and you have every right to be.
Pure Respect!
I was around 5 when the family took a trip to the Black Hills and Rushmore. I don't remember monument. I don't remember the scenery. I do remember meeting a kind old man, a Lakota grandfather who taught me Hau Kola and patiently dismissed many of the stereotypes I had already formed about The People.
It takes a white man to make a movie like this that gets you in the feels. My white ancestors made lumberjack tools and furnaces out of the wilderness. I will not apologises for the success of my white forefathers.
The Indian who scalped the wagon driver was Wes Studi. You can find him in the movie The Last of the Mohicans and the movie Geronimo.
As I understand it, he's a real sweetie.
And many more. Definitely go down the West Studi path.
I always remembered him best, terribly miscast, as Sagat in the Van Damme Street Fighter movie. Great actor, a THAT GUY you will always remember.
@@shallowgal462 I feel like the best villains in movies and shows have the kindest hearts
He was also casted as the tribe leader of the Navi in the first Avatar movie.
it won the oscar in 1991 over Good Fellas, that was one of the toughest decisions to make in movie history. two absolute masterpieces
1990
@@forcedtosignup2 The 1991 Oscars, acknowledging 1990’s films.
There seems to be a consensus that Goodfellas should have won, but I've honestly always been glad DwW won instead. Although Goodfellas has some classic segments, it's still a pretty depressing tale of a bunch of low-lifes. There's not much going on narratively, regardless of how well-made it is. None of the characters change or reflect in any way.
Whereas Dances with Wolves tells a majestic story with wonderful character development. Goodfellas feels rather anaemic by comparison, despite all its style.
@@MrPicklerwoof And besides, Goodfellas is just Godfather... again.
John Barry’s score is beautiful and is a huge part of the movie for me.
Agree 150%!
Completely agree, I can't imagine it with a different score
It is quite possibly his greatest masterpiece, hands down. "Raise the Titanic" is also a fantastic work of his, even if the movie was poor.
@ I think the main theme in Out of Africa is another gorgeous one.
@@claytonpaddison6721 the choices these composers make always amaze me, for example the opening John Dunbar theme with the trumpet reminds me of Taps but less sad… and he combines it with a snare drum which gives a military feel, since John Dunbar was a soldier.
This is one of those movies I revisit about once a year. Amazing Costner not only starred in it, but directed it as well. Even after 35 years, it still holds up.
I believe he backed most of it as well…
I have heard an interview where he said a friend of his stayed in his home while struggling. So long that he wore out his welcome. His friend had some attitude problems and just wasn't making his way in Hollywood. Kevin finally had to kick him out of the house. The friend left a manuscript at his house. It took a long time for Costner to get over the bitterness of the friends' attitude problem. After a long time, while the friend was doing dishes just to sustain himself, and the friend called and asked him to please read the manuscript did Kevin realize it was the script for this film.
this is forever.
@@Anaj-us4eo
He invested $3,000,000 of his own money out of the total budget of $18,000,000
Winner of 7 Oscars including Best Picture.
36:57 "..I think he went away because you were coming"
One of my favorite scenes in the movie
Painful and amazing at the same time
Thank you so much for reaching to this epic movie. I’m a Native American Indian and I cried with you watching your reaction
Ya must be a "Southern Brother!" Tlingit Eagle moiety Kaagwaantaan (Wolf) clan. I'd been pushing for this one for about a year! 😸
The extended version is worth it!! It is not more sad and has lots of extra small scenes that really add to the movie
Yeah her confusion about Stands With a Fist cutting herself is explained in one of those extras so definitely worth the extra time invested.
Yes-Also the part when the Cosner goes to the village to tell them of the buffalo herd. The Indians look like they are celebrating but they are actually killing the buffalo robe hunters. That’s why they started to attack him….
Especially the scene when they give Dunbar his Soux name after seeing him playing with two socks fully accepting him as part of their tribe
"Who has time to run and carry a flag, at a time like this?"
The Standard Bearer. This was a great honor, not lightly given. A man chosen for such a position had to be an excellent soldier and above all brave, as some of the most desperate and difficult fighting would occur around the banner, for morale, leadership, and communication reasons.
As an example of this, I'm often reminded of the scene on the beach in 'Glory' before the 54th Massachusetts makes their assault on Fort Wagner.
Good comment, too many reactors overlook this in movies
Ah yes, from the Roman legions 💁🏼♂️
@@Lilleskutt112 It's real easy to overlook what you don't know. I do it all the time. 😉
@@randallshaw9609 You should be smart enough to realize that it has a purpose instead of brushing it of as something silly.
@@Lilleskutt112 Not sure I understand what you're getting at...
My Civil War reenactment group was one of 3 that took part in the opening scenes of the movie. We also worked on Glory, Gettysburg, Gods and Generals and numerous History Channel episodes. Mr. Costner was very approachable and even had dinner in our camp with the reenactors a few times.
T. Boyte
Capt. Norfolk Light Artillery, CSA
National Civil Assn.
I was the Key Grip on Gods and Generals and Fields of Freedom (a movie about the battle of Gettysburg made for the visitor's center there) so I did a lot of work with your reenactment group. I must say, these movies couldn't get made without you reenactors. Everybody already has their correct period uniform and can perform convincing sing marching and drills. The producers could never get a bunch of random extras to be that convincing.
@@eddieevans6692 Thank you kindly, Ms. Eddie, Reenacting is not a hobby, it's a life style. One that hopefully pays homage to all our ancestors.
My great grandfather John Chumley served in the confederate infantry of Tennessee. He fought at Gettysburg.
@@JimChumley Hi Jim, Mine were: Co. "H", 33rd. Mississippi Inf., Co "B" 2nd Regt. Mississippi State Troops, Co "E", 9th Texas Cav. and Battery "A", 3rd. Louisiana Artillery.
Ocotillo Tom,
AKA GySgt. Tom Boyte
USMC, retired
Vietnam 1965-66/ 1970-71
I've seen this movie so many times but still get emotional watching it
Me too. Breathtaking every time
i'm a grown ass man, this movie made me cry like a baby.
real men are not afraid of compassion
Dances With Wolves is one of the most beautiful movie to ever grace the silver screen. After Dances With Wolves (1990) and Unforgiven (1992) the Western genre only could go downhill for a few years (with a few exceptions).
Tombstone (1993) begs to differ.
Try Tombstone Open Range and Silverado(the last 2 have Costner) I think you will enjoy them 😃
appaloosa was pretty good
Broken Trail .. Geronimo.. Hombre..
Cohen Brother's True Grit was excellent.
Lakota laughed in the theater and commented their language has one version for women and another for men, and all the "Lakota" men in the movie were speaking female. (That's because it has simpler grammar and is easier for English speakers to learn from scratch, so that is the version the producers chose to have the cast taught.)
Well also that Doris Leader Charge, who also played the wife to Ten Bears in the movie, is the one that taught them Lakota. She is a female so it shouldn't be that surprising.
Oh yeah I saw the Biography documentary on this movie. They interviewed a Native American guy who led protests against this movie (turns out he’s an actor himself and therefore I see he was really trying to get noticed and used the protests to further himself) and he said he was making fun of how the men in the movie spoke the dialogue.
One of the greatest movies of all time. A classic already. Crying every damn time. 🥰
It's impossible not to cry when those bastards kill Two Socks
Or his horse
John Dunbar killed that wolf by becoming friendly with it.
@@jacobshonkwiler9081 Well, animals also feel and think and decide. I understand your point, it is true and it is not. He died protecting his pack as best he could.
@@jacobshonkwiler9081you try not becoming friends with a cute friendly wolf when you’ve been alone in the middle of no where for weeks on end at a time… please… 😂
I saw this when it came out in theaters with my parents. Was one of the most moving movies i had seen at an age of like 11-15. I'm now 45, still in my top 5 of near perfect moving movies!
I just love this movie every time I watch it and I, like you, am heartbroken and cry each time. I don't think anyone could provide a better summary of this movie than you did. Your insite, heart and respect are appreciated.
This was filmed in South Dakota. The movie sets are near Mount Rushmore, and you can visit them. I lived in Wyoming for several years, and the peace of the plains is a unique and beautiful experience.
You’re right, I was around spearfish canyon and there was a historical marker about the movies winter scenes being filmed in that area and you can see the mountain that they used for the scene with the wolf howling on top. The badlands was a filming area too
“This guy’s probably a fun roadtrip buddy” I laughed out loud at that 😂
This movie is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen on many different levels.
You're reaction to this is equally beautiful! Thank you!
Early 90s my school showed us this movie over the course of a few days as we were learning about Native American culture. This movie is seared into my memory - so powerful even when I was only 10 years old!
Yes!! I love this movie, and not a lot of reactors ever react to it, thank you so much!!
Greetings from Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut Argentina ...thirty years ago see that espectacular movie with my father but now touch my soul...tank you very much young lady, i cried like a child with you...
Little Big Man with Dustin Hoffman has some similar themes, and is a little more light hearted - well worth a watch.
Another good one is A man called horse .
I thought the same thing. Somewhat similar, but "Little Big Man" was the better film, much better IMO.
Some parts are light hearted but some are incredibly sad, but based on horrible historical events. It is a great movie.
It’s never reviewed (probably because it’s not free on any service).
"Be on the path to be a good human."
You are an example of a great human, Ames.
no.
Before coming out this movie was questioned because of it's length. But that was forgotten when watching it 35 years ago with so many stories and relationships plus absolutely stunning landscapes and filming. And trying to stay as true as possible. Ames a beautiful emotional reaction. Cheer's Gorgeous.x
I was a teen in 1990. Before opening day, everybody scoffed at the idea of Kevin Costner (who had never directed) directing a three-hour-plus movie, two-thirds with subtitles of a language nobody had ever heard, that made whites the villains. It was predicted to be a bomb. Then it opened and blew everyone's minds and swept the Oscars.
This is a beautiful reaction to a uniquely important movie. Your empathy is matched only by the size of your heart.
Thanks!
One of the films that truly deserved to win Best Picture
I am 53, I was raised by my great-grandfather and my grandma. They told me so much stories. I grew up talking talking with my hands because of them. I can hadn it down to my kids. I grew up too fast because of the harshness of how things were. But I have so much great stories that show how tough we are. My dad and uncle digging a tunnel to get away from the rcmp. My Kooksum talked to the cops till they tunneled them selves away under the snow. Then when they got away, she kicked the tunnel in.
One of my favorite Costner films is A Perfect World. It stars Clint Eastwood and Laura Dern, as well.
Really really good movie. I thought about it for a long time after I saw it.
This movie gives us a brief & rare glimpse of what can happen when we have the conversation, rather than simply mocking and destroying what we don't understand. Fat lot of good it did, we have learned nothing from it.
Thank you for reacting to this amazing movie. Both Graham Greene (Kicking Bird) and Tantoo Cardinal (Kicking Bird's wife) are in the movie Wind River (with Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen). It's a modern tale of the plight of the indians, and another excellent film that you might consider.
Saw this movie in theaters. It’s a classic. Thank you for sharing. 😉🤘🏻
This was my first time seeing your channel and you do a fabulous job of balancing appreciation of the filmmaking while staying immersed in the story. Well done!
Thanks for hanging out Stacy!!!!❤️
When my family rented and watched this on our tv my dog flipped out every time there was a scene with stampeding Buffalo. It was funny, and fascinating watching her instincts come out.
Eye roll
The buffalo hunt was one of the greatest scenes in all of cinema. Real horsemen, chasing real buffalo on the plains. It's absolutely amazing!
First CD I ever bought was this soundtrack. Great memories.
Stand with a Fist is actually a composite of two historical characters. Cynthia Ann Paker and her aunt Rachel Parker Plummer. They were both kidnapped in 1836 by the Comanches when they were 8 and 17 years old respectively. Cynthia Ann lived with the Comanches for many years and married the comanche chief. Rachel Plummer was traded to mexican traders who then traded her to the white settlers. Cynthia Ann was "rescued" and repatriated with the Parker family when she was an adult. She could never transition back and always wanted to run away and cutting herself. Cynthia Ann's son Quanah Parker became the last Comanche chief that surrendered and led his people to live in a reservation. He became a successful rancher.
You may also like Costner's Hidden Figures.
When this film won the Oscar, here in Spain the TV news mocked saying "...a cowboy and Indian movie has won the Oscar." Then they ate their words when here the film was a success and the audience loved it. One of the most emotional films about the encounter between different cultures ever made.
This is such a great movie. The entire world could do with the lessons from this on how different people can live together.
I loved your reaction to this. This movie was filmed mainly in my region and most of my relatives were extras riding the horses. The beautiful scenes in this movie are still going until this day. Being indigenous, this movie was a huge leap for our people because of the old movie stereotypes. Until this day we still practice our ways as much as possible. Thank you for being so genuine and loved your closing remarks.
28:43 "Many times I had felt alone, but until this afternoon I had never felt completely lonely." That is my favourite line of the film.
I've seen this movie many times, but watching it with you was awesome.
Spectacular reaction to a great film! Thanks! When Stands with a Fist snaps at Kicking Bird during the first translation scene is MAGICAL!
What d'he say?
Hang on.
What d'he say?
CHILL!
This was filmed just outside of my hometown of Pierre, SD. My brother saw the actors all the time, because he worked at the local movie theater, and the cast would come in a lot. Apparently I met Costner once, but I was young and didn’t know who he was. My brother was working that night and told me that the guy joking with me was Kevin Costner.
True classic! Great choice
"Be on a path on being a good human". I also loved the music composition, John Barry (RIP).
The extended edition expands on character and story and is worth a watch, if only once. So glad to you watched this. A very Happy New Year!
There are good additions, but for the most part it's filler. It ruins the mystery of what happened at the camp post Costner is assigned to. Sometimes less is more.
I dont believe I ever saw that!
@@dan_hitchman007agreed. This might be my all time favorite movie, but the extended version is a bit too slow. I’ve yet to see an extended cut of any movie that actually improved the overall experience. There’s usually good reason why scenes are edited down
I only watch the extendend edition to get completely soaked in this world. So much better.
I once lent my dvd of this movie to a friend of mine, and she said the movie was boring. Needless to say, I don't talk to her anymore.
Sounds like she dodged a bullet
@Talisman09 humor isn't your strong point, is it?
You made me cry when you started crying when they killed Two-Socks. Graham Greene, who plays Kicking-Bird, is also in the Mel Gibson Comedy/Western, Maverick. You’ll love it!
Thank you for sharing this emotional reaction. I saw this movie in theaters the day it was released as a 14 year old, and it has been my all-time favorite movie ever since. Lots of lessons to be learned from this one if you are willing to listen.
Wes Studi, who plays the aggressive Pawnee warrior here, also plays Magua in "Last of the Mohicans." That's worth a watch.
There is a great documentary here on TH-cam about this movie and how Kevin put it together. The care he has for the people and he found a woman who was one of the last people to actually speak the language and she helped bring it to life. Such a huge care in making this movie.
Already mentioned, but I'd like to second the idea: Little Big Man (1970) stars Dustin Hoffman as a white man who lived as a child with the Lakota, then went back and forth between white and Lakota society a number of times over the years, winding up as a scout for Custer at Little Bighorn, hoping to lure Custer into a disastrous suicidal attack. Chief Dan George plays Hoffman's Lakota mentor, in an unforgettably congenial and colorful performance. An old favorite of mine.
Another film that gives features Lakota society is A Man Called Horse (also 1970), starring Richard Harris.
Considered with Dances with Wolves, these are three very different takes on Lakota culture, but all are at least attempts to counter the white-skewed viewpoints of traditional Westerns with something of an inside look at the indigenous way of life.
I would add, "Black Robe"
This film is a masterpiece of cinema, a true masterpiece.
The flag bearer was an important job. Gun powder in those days emitted a great deal of smoke and it was easy for a soldier to get lost in the middle of a battlefield and the flag bearer's job was to hold the big flag of the country/regiment up high above the smoke so the soldiers would know where to go.
Bannermen were not only positions of honor not only because of the symbolic use of the banners but because they were used to signal troops through the fog of war. If I remember my military history correctly, it was first used by the Egyptian armies and then made standard in Western civilization by the Roman legions. Only the most trusted soldiers were selected as bannermen.
This movie means a lot to me in so many different ways. I love and adore the first nations peoples. Might sound a little cliche but in some very small way i relate to Dunbar. Im white from a Norwegian/Irish/German ethnicity. My best friend is a Choctaw native. I have always been fascinated by native american people since i was a kid. Im about to be 40 now. I met him a little over ten years ago. He has taken me to numerous pow wows. The native people have taken me right in and taught me and showed me their culture and i have loved every second of it. He is from Oklahoma and i am from Texas. I have gotten to meet their Chief. What an experience i have gotten to have. I feel privileged.
No animals were specifically harmed for the movie. They did use the bodies of many real animals, some taxidermy. Many dogs, elk, etc bodies were sourced from euthanized shelters, road kill, or loaned hides/antlers from ranch raised slaughters. They spent over $250k on 23 fake buffalo and mechanical taxidermized animals for special effects shots and close ups. 3,500 real buffalo were rented from ranchers for the stampede, several were equipped with fake clip-on arrows on their fur. Trained stunt horses were used for falls. And finally there were a few domesticated buffalo ("Mammoth" a pet of Neil Young, and "Cody" who was a corporate mascot of the South Dakota meat company...the latter who would do pretty much anything for an occasional Oreo cookie. In fact, the buffalo charging at the young boy was done by Cody running happily for an Oreo being held up off screen).
You have a beautiful spirit. Thanks for honoring our people with your kind and thoughtful words. I encourage you to watch the making of for some great insights into the astounding dedication Costner put into bringing his masterpiece to life. Respect.
"I only have two tissues left"
Uh oh. 🐺
Yep!
I remember this being my dad's favorite movies growing up. I had seen it several times growing up but when i finally watched it as an adult I understood his love for the movie.
Such a great movie, one of my favorites ever.
I'm glad I got to see this in the theatre when it came out. people were saying to, and they were right. the big panoramic shots were so epic on the big screen. some movies are absolutely worth it.
Stands With Fist, aka Mary McDonnell, was in Independence Day, and she also played the president in Battlestar Galactica.
Is your profile pick the St. Augustine light house?
I saw this in movie theatre when it was released. Majestic! I had the audio CD for yrs too. Love the music
It is always such a wonderful experience to watch your reactions, Ames. Your combined compassion, empathy, humor and intellect are astonishing. You are a wonderful human being, and the Earth is a better place because you are here. Thank you for showing us the person you are inside.
Kevin Costner, he makes great Westerns and Baseball movies. This is one of his best, great emotional reaction. Just like to wish a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He did a biography movie about Wyatt Earp worth a watch.
This is my second favorite movie of all time. Thank you for reacting to it.
Kicking Bird, aka Graham Greene, was in the movie Die Hard With A Vengeance.
You will also find him on the Canadian TV show The Red Green Show.
I forgot he was on the Red-Green Show.....
And in The Green Mile, as Bitterbuck, one of the condemned and the first executed in the movie.
A great native actor. He has had many roles. Look him up and go into his movies too.
This is one of my favorite movies. It's an emotional roller coaster, and no matter how many times I have watched it, it still brings tears to my eyes.
LOL you accidentally spotted one of my favorite insults: "Don't talk with your mouth open!"
On the big screen in the theater back in the day....this was incredible.
The Buffalo scenes were epic on the Big screen 😊
It's too bad that because of man's greed and ignorance, the long shots of the buffalo herds in the film were matte paintings. They once covered the landscape of the plains, but no more. Now, there are just small herds left.
Great movie. I remember watching like the uncut 5 hour version. Long as hell but amazing! Open Range is another amazing Kevin Costner western to check out.
12:03 That's the guy who played the Indian cop in Thunderheart, another movie worth watching. It also has Val Kilmer (Tombstone, Heat, Top Gun), Fred Ward (The Right Stuff, Tremors) , Sam Shepherd (The Right Stuff), Fred Thompson (The Hunt for Red October, Secretariat, Cape Fear).
One of my favorites. Happy you watched it.
From England, Respect for watching this and for Kevin for showing the truth what really happened to a great country by foreigners. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
If she comes back tomorrow, I will call her two tissues.
One of the greatest films ever made and one of my top 5 movies of all time. When it's on, I have to watch it. Thanks for sharing your feelings with us!
I love how south park called out the avatar movie for ripping off the plot to this movie.....lol 😂😂
You are a terrific reviewer. Love your sensitivity
"I do not hunt to mount an animal's head in my study. What I kill I eat."
-Chuck Yeager
I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out. I was a young man, 21. It is such a perfect movie. The story, the acting, the cinematography.. everything. Absolutely breathtaking. The buffalo hunt scene was unlike anything I had ever seen before. So realistic. In the theater, it literally felt like the floor was shaking from the sound. It felt like you were there. And the final scene when Wind In His Hair says goodbye... so powerful. This is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time
If I remember correctly, Costner had a writer friend kinda down on his luck. Costner let him stay at his house and sorta pushed him to write something, anything. This movie is the result.
Que the Graham Norton Show Clip!
@@poolhall9632 This one?
Kevin Costner's Kindness Was Repaid - The Graham Norton Show: th-cam.com/video/XT2S1OkSld4/w-d-xo.html
@@poolhall9632 I replied with a link to the clip that you might be referring to, but it has been auto hidden by TH-cam (which means people can still see it if they sort comments by 'Newest First').
The title of the clip I linked to is: "Kevin Costner's Kindness Was Repaid - The Graham Norton Show"
So if people search that they can probably also find it by themselves.
@@poolhall9632 Kevin Costner's Kindness Was Repaid - The Graham Norton Show
Love that you did this one. Its such a special film.
You would also like "Little Big Man" with Dustin Hoffman.
Saw this in the theater with my mom when I was a little kid. Half way through, the showing stopped and couldn't be finished. I was too young to remember why, but I remember we all got tickets to come back and see it again. Growing up we'd go to the Navajo Pueblo my cousins lived on and see where my grandpa grew up. Sometimes we'd be there when dances were being celebrated and this movie brings back all those memories.