Tubi’sever-expansive catalog of free, ad-supported TV and movies has made it the go-to platform for many looking foreverything from Westernsto old classics, modern hits, or B-movie zaniness and scary content. Still, the platform also hosts a bevy of award-winning cinema (they even have a category for that), and some films that end up getting added are worth mentioning for those looking to check out or revisit some of the best movies to ever grace the screen.
Dances with Wolvesis a multiple-award-winning Western that was met with both critical success and fan adoration due to its touching story and empathetic approach toward the plight of the indigenous people. For those who have not seen the film, we will break down its plot and cast and look at the accolades and success ofDance with Wolvesthat make it stand out decades after its release.
Dances with Wolves Plot and Cast
Union Army Lieutenant John Dunbar,played by Kevin Costner, is assigned to a remote outpost on the Western Frontier during the American Civil War. He finds the outpost abandoned but decides to stay and begins documenting his experiences on the Western front. He soon meets with the neighboring Sioux tribe, who, while originally weary of him, soon develop a friendship andhonor him with the name “Dances with Wolves.“It is through the tribe that he also meets “Stands With a Fist,” a white woman who was rescued and raised by the tribe, and the two begin a romantic relationship. His newfound peaceful existence comes under threat after the US Army finds his notes and deems him a deserter to be sentenced to death by hanging.
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Dances with Wolveswas based on Michael Blake’s book of the same name; Blake would also write the screenplay. The movie was directed by and starred Kevin Costner. It would be theactor’s directorial debutand one of three films finding him at the helm of a production; he also directedPostman(1997) andOpen Range(2003). By the film’s release in 1990, Costner was already a household name due to his role in such films asField of DreamsandThe Untouchables. Across from Costner, playing the romantic interest “Stands with a Fist,” was Mary McDonnell. McDonell’s greatest role is arguablyDances with Wolves, but she is also well known and admired for her role as President Laura Roslin in 2004’sBattlestar Galacticaand Rose Darko in the cult-hiDonnie Darko.
Graham Greene, who played Paul Dunbar’s friend Kicking Bird, is a cherished Canadian actor who has appeared in over 150 films and TV series. Greene has had supporting roles in highly acclaimed films likeThe Green MileandWind River, as well as being a staple of cult-Canadian TV such asThe Red Green Show.Other indigenous actorsinvolved in the productions included Rodney A. Grant, Tantoo Cardinal, Wes Studi, and Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman. Tantoo Cardinal would go on to land roles inWind RiverandKillers of the Flower Moon, as well as finding success as a voice actor.
The Legacy of Dances With Wolves
Dances with Wolvesfound great critical success, winning seven Oscars at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991. This included Best Picture, Best Director for Kevin Costner, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Mixing. The movie would go on to win 55 Awards across different festivals and ceremonies. The movie was also a commercial success, earning over $420 million, making it thehighest-grossing Western at the time.
Visually stunning and backed by a strong cast, including notable indigenous actors,Dances with Wolvespresented a shift in the movie industry’s views towards various tribes and the plights they faced in the past. Over a quarter of the dialogue was spoken in the Lakota language with English subtitles, overseen by Native scholars to ensure accuracy, and the costume and set design were approached with the goal of authenticity. Perhaps most importantly, the portrayal of stiff stereotypes prone to violence was pushed aside in favor of a more realistic and humanized portrayal of the indigenous people, marking a shift in Hollywood of their portrayal in film.
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As beloved asDances with Wolves, the movie is not without its criticism from some.Prominent Native American activist Russell Means was critical of the film’s translation of the Lakota language and how it omitted certain gender aspects(viaNotes From the Frontier), and the Pawnee and Comanche people expressed concern about how they were portrayed. Additionally, many felt that the film still approached the issues faced by the indigenous people through the view of a white protagonist, which resulted in a skewed viewpoint. Still, even with the movie’s perceived faults, it is considered a major step forward for the time and is equally deserving of praise for the elements it got right.
Where to Stream Dances with Wolves
Dances With Wolves
Theaward-winning ’90s Westerncan be found on multiple platforms, but forthose looking to watch the movie for free, you can streamDances with WolvesonTubi. For those wanting to learn more about the production and history of the film, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that highlight both, including the official documentaryDances with Wolves: Creation of an Epic. The book on which the film is based by Michael Blake is readily available in both physical, digital, and audio formats.
