Director: Kevin Costner
Running time: 173 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15
UK release date: 8th February 1991
Watched on Sky+ Friday 31st December 2010.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
I have only seen this film once before, it was on a commercial station and (with commercials) it was so long they had to split it over two nights. The BBC finally got the rights and we get it over one afternoon (thank you BBC!). The trouble is, because it’s shown in the afternoon, we get a slightly tamed down version, not that I’m complaining. But more of my nonsense later, here’s a very brief summary first (summary haters please wait back at fort Hays while I write the next paragraph).
Running time: 173 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15
UK release date: 8th February 1991
Watched on Sky+ Friday 31st December 2010.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
I have only seen this film once before, it was on a commercial station and (with commercials) it was so long they had to split it over two nights. The BBC finally got the rights and we get it over one afternoon (thank you BBC!). The trouble is, because it’s shown in the afternoon, we get a slightly tamed down version, not that I’m complaining. But more of my nonsense later, here’s a very brief summary first (summary haters please wait back at fort Hays while I write the next paragraph).
Having fought and been decorated in the American Civil War, Lt. John Dunbar is offered any posting he would like. He decides to go and see the frontier, in his words, “Before it’s gone.” He gets a posting to Fort Hays where the commander, clearly insane, posts him on to a far-flung outpost, which he finds deserted. Finding himself alone, he is befriended by a lone wolf he calls “Two-Socks”. Eventually he attracts the attention of a tribe of Sioux Indians. After a rather faltering start the two sides slowly learn to trust one another. Dunbar makes friends, including, Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair who show him the ways of the Plains people. There is also a white woman among the tribe, Stands With a Fist; she was taken in when she lost her family at a very young age. She acts as interpreter and, eventually, she becomes very close to the young Lieutenant. There is a cloud on the horizon, however, Dunbar knows that the white men are coming and this cannot be good for the tribe.
This is an epic film with some tremendous vistas; I would love to have seen it on the big screen. I love the way that Costner made all of the white people in the picture particularly loathsome (with two notable exceptions). Decent performances all round, so honourable mentions go to; Kevin Costner as Lieutenant Dunbar, Mary McDonnell as Stands With A Fist, Graham Greene as Kicking Bird, Rodney A. Grant as Wind In His Hair and Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman as Ten Bears.
I think you have to be prepared beforehand to watch this film… Three hours is a long time so plenty of refreshments and control of the remote is always good (for bathroom breaks). There is a pretty slow pace to the way the story unveils, but it’s worth sticking with. The final chapter does go on a little and I feel could have been cut slightly. Apart from that, it’s an epic film that is well worth a viewing… Recommended.
My score: 8.3/10
LINKS:
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0099348/
Official Site: http://www.mgm.com/view/Movie/480/Dances-with-Wolves/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi2341967897/
Sully Halverson cleans septic tanks for a living. He’s not the sharpest blade in the box, but when he and his wife, Mary, decide to have a baby, he begins to get ideas. He sees a treatment program they are running at the hospital that genetically changes an embryo so the resultant child will be smarter. Now, if only he could get some money to pay for it… Parmie Tarzo is an ambitious mob boss. He lives alone with his mother and wants, more than anything, to be famous. His mother was recently shot during a robbery at his house and Tarzo and his gang are after the perpetrators. After he decides to take over the entire Staten Island operation and an attempted hit by a rival gang fails, he kind of loses the plot a little. He is found on a platform up a tree, trying to protect an area of forest due for demolition… Jasper Sabiano is a deaf mute who works in a deli and does ‘disposal’ jobs on the side for Tarzo. He has a liking for gambling on the horses and when he wins big he feels he might be able to help his friend Sully… These three characters are about to collide and things will never be that same for any of them. 
As I said at the beginning, this film has very much the feel of a French art house film, but its set in New York. It’s kind of strange to watch if you’re not used to that sort of thing, but if you stick with it, it will pay off in the end. Great performances from all of the main cast; 
Over all, I really enjoyed this film. It has quite a gentle pace that I found quite fitted the style adopted by the director. I loved the way the characters at some point all look wistfully across towards Manhattan, as if wishing they could be over there. It’s not perfect by any means, but enjoyable none the less… Recommended.
The setting is New York in the year 1937 where student and aspiring actor Richard Samuels lands himself a small part in Welles’s production of Caesar. He immediately strikes up a friendship with director’s assistant, Sonja Jones. We are taken through all the trials and tribulations of rehearsals leading up to opening night. Welles is a bit of a philanderer and Sonja is ambitious and the two are seen to be drawn together, much to the dismay of Richard. As opening night approaches the tension builds and Richard takes some advice from Joseph Cotton, another cast member. He is advised to ‘fight for her’, but is it too late?... I guess I’d better leave my summary here, don’t want to give the game away do I.
This film was made on a small island between Britain and Ireland in the middle of the Irish Sea called the Isle of Man (apologies to those that already know this). As such, I find it remarkable that it felt like 1930’s New York! Full marks to the production team on this one. As I said at the beginning, for me, the standout performance came from 
For me, apart from the performance of Christian McKay and the showing of the play, which was excell
This is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean businessman who treats his staff very badly and is mean to everyone, even his own family. One Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghosts of his old partners, the Marley’s. They warn him that he will be visited by three ghosts that night and urge him to change is ways or he will end up like them, in chains for all eternity. The Ghost of Christmas Past visits him first and he is taken back to his childhood to see the boy, and the young man, he was and he began to see what could have been. Next comes the Ghost of Christmas Present and he is taken to see his employee, Bob Cratchit and his family. One of Bob’s sons, Tiny Tim is crippled, but has great spirit and this touches Scrooge deeply. Finally the Ghost of Christmas Future visits Scrooge and shows him what future awaits him if he doesn’t change his ways. Will he take heed of the ghosts? Well, if you don’t know I guess I’d better not spoil it for you. 
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