What It's About:

Distinguished service in the Civil War wins Lt. John Dunbar (Costner) a post in the beautiful Dakota territory close to the Lakota Sioux Indians. Dunbar gradually bonds with the Sioux, including Kicking Bird (Graham Greene) and Stands With A Fist (Mary Mc Donnell), a white woman orphaned early on and raised by the tribe. Soon, the white man's encroachment threatens the Sioux's way of life, and forces some major, fundamental choices on Dunbar.

Why I Love It:

Long but engrossing Western is staggeringly beautiful as it details the tragic outcome of our expansion westward: the virtual annihilation of a proud society and culture. Costner has never been better as the most conflicted of men, a U.S soldier converted to a way of life that is dying, due to the destruction and injustice wrought by his own countrymen. An outstanding achievement for Costner, as the star/producer/director took home Oscars for Best Picture and Direction.