The Dances With Wolves - Movie Review Example

The Movie "Dances With Wolves"The beginning of the film is quite melancholic as the attention of the audience is shifted to lieutenant Kelvin Costner (John W. Dunbar), who attempts to commit suicide for he perceives death as the best option rather than live without one leg. In this scene, the theme of suffering is evident. Lieutenant Dunbar appears to be going through hard times to an extent of wanting to take away his life. If Dunbar was living a good life as a soldier, why would he even cherish the idea of suicide?

The theme of loneliness is evident when Dunbar reaches Dakota. In the company of Timmons (Robert Pastoreli), Dunbar realizes that the place has been abandoned. After releasing the wagon driver, Dunbar stays in the new station for over a month with a wolf and a horse as his only companion. Every human being needs some sense of belonging. Dunbar lives in seclusion for the first month in his new camp. His only friends and family are the two animals, a wolf and a horse. However, socializing with animals cannot fill the void that has been created by the absence of fellow human around Dunbar’s life.

No wonder he fells for the lifestyle of the Sioux. Incidences of gift giving portray familial ties of tribal life and humanity of Lakota people. Gift exchange can be witnessed when Lieutenant Dunbar prepares coffee for Lakota band that checks on him at the fort. When the warriors leave Dunbar’s camp, they are all carrying new coffee cups, which Dunbar probably gave them.When the leader of the Sioux group, Kicking Bird issues Lieutenant Dunbar with buffalo skin, a strong familial bond is portrayed.

A reflection emerges of how natives lived and their traditions. Dunbar seeks human love-a missing link in his life. He falls in love with the white lady and becomes a revered figure in the Sioux community identified with the name “Dances With Wolves”. The Sioux sail against traditional stereotypes with characters such as Tantoo Cardinal exhibiting no sign of caricature.The Sioux are wise and noble whereas the adversary tribes are the Pawnees. They are hospitable. Despite Lieutenant Dunbar being on a rival camp, they accept him as one of their own giving him a new name “Dances With Wolves”.

Christianity demands that people should accommodate one another and spread love rather than hatred. It is amazing that “Stands With A Fist”, a white lady who has lived among the Sioux since childhood found a home and a family in people who would otherwise want so much to exterminate her life. As it emerges, it is clear that the culture of the Sioux Indians is portrayed in a manner that is similar to Christian life. The Sioux are caring people.However, native spirituality is basically a divergence from the contemporary biblical Christianity.

The present biblical Christianity has substituted the native “Christianity” with mystical actions. Among the Sioux Indians, the natives raced dangerously with buffalos, a tradition that was aimed at welcoming Dunbar as a new member of the community and for abandoning his old traditions for the new one. As such, the tradition of racing with buffalos appears more like a secular practice when viewed through the spectacle of modern Christianity.