The Epic Journey of Dances with Wolves: Behind the Scenes

TLDRDances with Wolves takes viewers deep into the American frontier, offering a captivating story and stunning cinematography. Learn about the unseen struggles, directorial dilemmas, financial struggles, the Lakota language, Kevin Costner's fearless stunts, and the unexpected stars of the film.

Key insights

🎥Dances with Wolves started as a rejected screenplay and transformed into a novel, paving the way for its eventual cinematic adaptation.

🤝Kevin Costner's unwavering support and friendship with Michael Blake helped bring the film to life.

💰Securing funding for Dances with Wolves was a challenging journey, with international investors playing a crucial role.

🐺The Lakota Sue language added authenticity to the film, thanks to the translation and guidance of experts like Doris Leader Charge.

🐃The iconic buffalo stampede scene in the film was real, featuring 3,500 wild buffalo.

Q&A

How did Dances with Wolves go from a rejected screenplay to a successful film?

—Kevin Costner urged Michael Blake to turn the screenplay into a novel, which eventually led to the film adaptation.

Who helped Kevin Costner bring Dances with Wolves to the big screen?

—Kevin Costner's friend and screenwriter, Michael Blake, played a crucial role in the film's development and success.

How did Kevin Costner secure funding for Dances with Wolves?

—Costner sought financial support from international investors, expanding beyond traditional Hollywood sources.

What role did the Lakota Sue language play in the film?

—The Lakota Sue language added authenticity to the film, thanks to the translation and guidance of experts like Doris Leader Charge.

Were the buffalo in the film real or CGI?

—The buffalo in the film were real, with 3,500 wild buffalo featured in the iconic stampede scene.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Dances with Wolves started as a rejected screenplay and transformed into a novel, paving the way for its cinematic adaptation.

03:59Kevin Costner's support and friendship with Michael Blake were key in bringing the film to life.

05:07Securing funding for Dances with Wolves was a challenging journey, with international investors playing a crucial role.

07:16The Lakota Sue language added authenticity, thanks to translation and guidance from experts like Doris Leader Charge.

08:45The iconic buffalo stampede scene featured 3,500 wild buffalo, captured in all their raw beauty.

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