Dances with Wolves (Holiday O-Ring Packaging) (US Version) DVD Region 1

Kevin Costner's larger-than-life western left a strong impression on me when I first saw it in the early 90s. Today, almost two decades later, the sensational feeling has somewhat diminished but it still remains a favorite of mine. Costner portrays U.S. Lieutenant John Dunbar whose suicide attempt leads to a victory for his cavalry and his promotion. Eager to get a taste of the real wilderness, he asks to be transferred to a post at the farthest frontier. After a few encounters with his new neighbors from the Sioux tribe, he befriends and later establishes an inseparable bond with them. Based on a novel by Michael Blake, Costner's film adaptation depicts themes like the infiltration of foreigners into Native American territory, and their continuous plunder of resources and occupation and destruction of natural land. Even without the apparent negative portrayals of most of the U.S. army soldiers as unlearned, rude, and greedy, it becomes very easy for the viewer to side with Dunbar's new friends, the Sioux. Among them are such outstanding personalities as the wise Kicking Bird (Graham Greene) and the rash but good-hearted warrior Wind In His Hair (Rodney A. Grant). Add to that some gifted child actors in roles like that of Smiles A Lot (Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse) and Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell) as other key characters, and you are likely to wish you're of Sioux descent yourself.

One last advice: watch this epic on a large screen with a good sound system to fully enjoy John Barry's spellbinding sound score and the phenomenal cinematography by Dean Semler.