Dances with Wolves (1990): Complete Movie Guide

"Dances with Wolves" is a 1990 epic Western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner, with a screenplay by Michael Blake, who also wrote the novel on which the film is based. The film is set in the 1860s and tells the story of Lieutenant John Dunbar (Costner), a Union Army officer who is sent to a remote outpost on the American frontier. There, he meets a tribe of Sioux Indians and gradually becomes accepted as one of them. Dunbar, who is given the name "Dances with Wolves" by the Sioux, falls in love with a woman named Stands with a Fist (Mary McDonnell), who was raised by the tribe after her family was killed by white settlers. As Dunbar spends more time with the Sioux, he comes to respect their way of life and begins to question his own beliefs about the Native Americans. However, his presence and friendship with the tribe soon attracts the attention of the U.S. Army, which sees the Sioux as a threat to American expansion. The film culminates in a brutal battle between the U.S. Army and the Sioux, in which Dunbar chooses to fight alongside his adopted tribe. The film ends with Dunbar leaving the Sioux and his old life behind to live among them as one of their own. "Dances with Wolves" was a critical and commercial success, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Costner, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Blake. The film is widely regarded as a classic of the Western genre and is known for its portrayal of Native American culture and history.

This 36 question movie guide will help your students get the most out of this powerful movie. This movie guide comes with an answer key. Ready to print and ready to use! Enjoy!

** This movie is available on Netflix and iTunes.

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