The main character in the film dances With Wolves is First Lieutenant John J. Dunbar. The film is an attempt to remove any preconceived notions the viewer might have about Native American Indians. To do this, he begins by dispelling the myths surrounding Indians. He then takes the viewer on a journey of discovery and connection to Indians. We then feel genuine gratitude towards them and we end up showing them favor in terms of loyalty. The story begins during a major battle between Union and Confederate forces. The leg of the man who was wounded in the firefight would need to be amputated. In the end, he grabbed a horse nearby and charged straight into battle. Even though he’s shot at many times, the front lines of the Confederacy never touch him. This allows union troops to rally behind and push the enemy to their line. He is awarded for his bravery and receives proper medical treatment to heal his leg. Awarded for his bravery, he can choose the location of his posting. He decides to go west because the frontier is shrinking by the day. The film was a great way to see what frontier life really looked like.
Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson co-directed the film “Dance With Wolves”. Costner also portrayed Lieutenant John J. Dunbar. The movie was released on Nov. 9, 1990. It far exceeded all expectations. IMDb says that Dances with Wolves, which was released on November 9, 1990, won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Greene was also nominated as Best Actor for a Supporting Role, the second Native North American ever to do so (1970). Native Americans’ reviews were mixed, even though the majority of American film critics loved it. Both Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner tried to portray the truth about Native Americans.
In order to establish a deeper connection with characters, the film uses emotions like empathy and sympathy. Jim Wilson conveyed Jim’s loneliness in the scene where Lt. Dunbar rushes into battle, trying to be shot. These emotions are common and allow the audience to connect with the character immediately. It is only when we find the Pawnee Indians mocking white men’s stupidity that we get a glimpse of real Indians. We are able to improve our perceptions because John is not observing the situation. John’s feelings and experiences are what allow us to feel the most connected with the events in this film.
John begins to realize that the Sioux are just like any other people, with their own social customs. They have a family and friends, work and play and live and breathe the same as everyone else. John sees that the Indians are not always afraid. For example, when Kicking Bird runs away from John and is as surprised by the Indians as he is, he does not want Sisco upset. The lieutenant is upset and disappointed that he cannot speak with anyone. We find them very generous, such as when John receives Buffalo skins from them. The Indians also have their own unique characters, and are not just a collection.
The American frontier depicted in ‘dances w wolves’ is an amalgamation of geology and history as well as legends and the social aspects of life during the frantic development of the United States. It began in mid-seventeenth-century with English settlements along the frontier and continued until 1959 when the western states were officially recognized. Thomas Jefferson, after the Louisiana Purchase and the Louisiana Purchase, offered to elevate to the expansionist thinking of’manifest Destiny’. This was the beginning of a period of massive movement and settlement. This cultural revolution helped shape the United States as we know it today. The frontier was not all good. Documents from the United States state that more than 40 Indian Wars have taken place. In these bloody wars, around 19,000 people, including women, men and children, were killed, not counting those killed in the individual battles. Around 30,000 Indians also lost their lives. According to some, the actual number of Indians who were killed or injured is higher than that given by the government. Sources claim that the real number of Indian deaths could be up to 50% higher than the government’s estimate (1889).
Wikipedia provided me with a lot of good information on the western expansion and the interaction between native Americans. These documents were written in the 1800s, so I know they haven’t been altered. It has been very helpful to use both primary and secondary sources. A journal of a soldier or Native American from that time period would be very useful. As Lt.Dunbar did. The government has a lot of documents but there aren’t many accessible journals. It would give me a perspective from a real person who lived in that time, which I could compare to what is depicted in Dances with Wolves.
Dances with Wolves did not portray Native Americans in the same way as the John Wayne classics such as Stagecoach and Fort Apache, which portrayed them carelessly. Their lives were portrayed with precision and thoughtfulness in this film. Even though the Lakotas (Siouxs) speak their language, captions give us the meaning. John Dunbar’s perception of American soldiers is ghastly and savage in comparison to his companions. It’s because of this that the film is so successful. Like the other viewers, I am happy to have Native Americans portrayed as individuals. John Dunbar is the main character, yet his preconceived ideas are continually challenged. This leads to the Sioux/Lakota being portrayed as real people. Their humanity and culture are what shine through. This is achieved by the content, acting, and course. This film is unique in that it tries to tell the truth.
Dances with Wolves is a timeless classic, a nostalgic and romanticized legend. The story unfolds in a series of stages. Dunbar records his feelings and encounters through his diary. A subtle sense of humor is used to help the story come alive. This shows that real connections can happen regardless of class and culture. The background music is used to elevate the emotions. The music in the film is a background which elevates the feelings. I took two to three days before I could accept what they wanted me do: that the two white men from that time were so assimilated into American society that they should be allowed to continue living in the real world. This film was a masterful way to transport the viewer back in time.
Works Cited
No changes are necessary when citing a source in a Works Cited page. The same information should be included in the Works Cited page regardless of whether or not it is a direct quote or a paraphrased version of the source.
Dances With Wolves (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099348/?ref_=ttpl_pl_tt.
Dances With Wolves On October 21st, 2019. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dances_with_Wolves#Cast.
Report on Indians who are taxed or not taxed by the United States of America (except Alaska). On April 20, 1889. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=KWkUAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA637#v=onepage&q&f=false.
