Dances With Wolves (Widescreen Special Edition)

 

 

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In 1994, "Dances With Wolves" originally was released as a Limited Collector's Edition laser discs box set, containing the Extended Cut, together with an autographed book "The Illustrated History", signed by Kevin Costner, Michael Blake (screenplay) and Jim Wilson (producer), together with a CD soundtrack and 6 Full-Colour 11x14" Lobby Cards. The size of this box set was large table-sized, and has the same dimension as the Fantasia Laser Disc box set. In 2008, this movie was released as a 2 dvd-set, with only 181 minutes, but with DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. Now 20th Century Fox and MGM have finally given us the definitive 20th Anniversary Edition of this epic movie on high definition, 234 minutes, 2.35:1, 1080p, a single 50GB dual layer blu ray disc (no changing of disc required) and DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio Sound, with a separate 25 GB disc for Special Features.

Video: This all-new Hi-Def Transfer gave the picture a very pristine and vivid look. The scenery was breathtaking. The grain consistency was film-like. Oscar-winner Dean Semler's gorgeous cinematography was ably on display. Blacks are rock solid. A 2.35:1 picture using an anamorphic lens truly showed off nobly how great and good-looking this epic picture was. (5/5)

Audio: The DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio was equally impressive, with great fidelity and deep bass. The surround was aggressive throughout. Dialogue was clear. John Barry's score was also first class. (5/5)

Trivia: In the opening scene where two doctors were examining John Dunbar, the man on the table was Kevin Costner's stand-in. The two people playing the doctors were actually the film's producer, Jim Wilson on the left and director/star Costner on the right. The voices were dubbed by other actors. And there were two wolves used. But did you know that one had to have the milky white socks painted on him.

Goofs: In the final scenes the US military came upon the recently vacated camp. Many of the soldiers were wearing overcoats with rank stripes and yellow lining. This was set during the civil war (1861 - 1865) Overcoats had no colored lining and no rank stripes. The coats worn in the film did not appear until 1883! Three birds flying over were identified as geese. They were, in fact, cranes. Electric power lines were visible during the buffalo hunt. And a noticeable dorsal stripe on Cisco the horse's back disappeared and reappeared throughout the film. The flag flying at Ft. Sedgwick was the flag with 50 stars rather than the flag used during the Civil War.

"Dances With Wolves" has won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture 1990 (Jim Wilson & Kevin Costner), Best Director (Kevin Costner), Best Cinematography (Dean Semler), Best Music, Original Score (John Barry), Best Film Editing (Neil Travis), Best Screenplay (Michael Blake) and Best Sound. It has grossed $184 million in US and $424 million worldwide (which was quite remarkable for 1990 standard). I think this is one film that Kevin Costner should be remembered for. Both the video and audio are top notched. The Extended Cut of the movie is here, and there is no need to get up to change discs. Considering the high price that I paid for this movie laser disc box set (which I still treasure), this blu ray disc set is truly a bargain and should be considered as the definitive edition of this sweeping epic film. Highly recommended.

This film is very special to me, it touches on everything that is truly important in my life: beautiful love and friendship not just between people but also between people and animals, loyalty & dedication, harmony and victory. The cinematography is breathtaking, the music score is lovely and the cast is absolutely superb, including Cisco and Two Socks. I take my hat off for Kevin Costner's genius as director and actor. The film is difficult one to make, considering the fact that John Dunbar spends a lot of time on his own with no one to talk to, and yet it is very entertaining. The battles are crafted tastefully, the love scenes are stylish with no unnecessary details and the humour is just the right dose.
Dances With Wolves is an exquisite masterpiece and the two-disc extended edition is the special treat the film deserves. The transfer is high quality and it comes with stylish, cleverly designed keep case. The personal touch from Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson makes it even more special for every true fan of the movie. Take your time to indulge in this wonderful experience! I had an amazing weekend viewing the video. Had the feeling that Kevin and Jim were in my screening room when their commentary were on and I learned a lot about these remarkable men and what they have to go through to make it happen. I will treasure my old disc and will go back to it often in future but when I need a dose of pure inspiration and motivation, I will play the extended version, listening to the last few words that Kevin says in his commentary. Absolutely fascinating!

Kevin Costner may have made some movie duds, but he makes of for it in sensational movies. Dances with Wolves is one of my most favorite films of all time. It is so sad. It makes you feel bad for settling in America. The film has great perfomances throughout the entire film. The plot takes you into another world. The cinematography is also some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The realism of the indian tribe and the way people lived in the 1800s is wonderful. Everyone should see this movie at some time in their lifetime, I highly reccomend it.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Dances with Wolves
DANCES with WOLVES..........
This EXTENDED CUT of this EPIC FILM is for "THE DIE HARD FAN" !

It is packaged for the 20th. Read more

Published 16 months ago by JR

4.0 out of 5 stars DWW still holds up 20 years on.
Twenty years ago, Dances with Wolves became movie sensation. In many ways, it was all wrong. Most of the dialogue was in the Lakota language of the American Indians, and that... Read more

Published 20 months ago by osteothincus

5.0 out of 5 stars Dances with Wolves Earns Lawrence Award
Dances with Wolves easily earns a position among the all-time-greatest epic motion pictures. Its story and presentation are fresh, honest, real and breathtaking. Read more

Published on July 11 2004 by Laropy

4.0 out of 5 stars Still no definitive version available to the public
The reason I have decided to comment on this film is because I want to warn everyone that DANCES WITH WOLVES is available in two different versions and BOTH are inferior. Read more

Published on July 9 2004 by Mr. Mister

5.0 out of 5 stars MYTHOLOGY
Indians are a favorite pet of the liberal establishment. "Dances With Wolves" is a fine movie. Most of them are. Nobody ever said these people are not brilliant. Read more

Published on Jun 7 2004 by Steven R. Travers

5.0 out of 5 stars a worthy film to anyone's catalog
Whether Kevin Costner likes it or not, his career will be inexorably tied to this masterpiece of cinematography. Read more

Published on Jun 3 2004 by Kevin Pazyck

2.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointting statement
When you watch the run of the arrow of Samuel Fuller, you'll know why this a adaptation of that one, but without its force. Read more

Published on April 28 2004 by Hiram Gomez Pardo

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone's a critic
I saw Dances With Wolves at the theatre in 1990 and have always counted it as one of my favorite films. Read more

Published on April 14 2004 by T. P. Jackson

1.0 out of 5 stars Dances With Wolf C**p
This is an over blowen pack of drivel.

Published on Mar 9 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars . . . Extended . . . yeah . . .
Dances With Wolves is a good movie, a very good movie in fact. But . . . it's longer. Wasn't three hours long enough? Now it's four hours long. Read more

Published on Feb 20 2004 by Person

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