This section does contain spoilers.

Michael Blake wrote the screenplay for Dances with Wolves whom also is the same man who wrote the original novel. Kevin Costner directed, produced and starred in this western that showcases a time period during and after the civil war. This frontier epic won 7 Academy Awards including “Best Picture”. Costner plays Lieutenant John G. Dunbar, where he is seen in battle at the front lines when the movie starts. After a heroic event or one of insane stupidity, he is granted a new horse (one of the army’s finest) and a choice of where his next post will be. Dunbar decides that he wants to see the western frontier before it’s all but gone. Thus, he gets put on the furthest post away from the town he originally went to get his commands. Alone at his post Dunbar makes the best of his time cleaning up the place as it the soldiers before him had let it get totally ran down.

A wolf shows up daily almost that he named Two Socks because of its white feet. Time goes by slowly with just work, writing, and the occasional spotting of Two Socks at the fort. One day while bathing in the pond next to the fort an Indian shows up and checks out the place. Dunbar rushes out naked as can be just in time to scare the Indian away before he could steal his horse. This was the first meeting he had with the local natives. Scared that there might be more to come and possibly attack him he decides to take precautionary methods by trying to make the fort appear that there is more men there then just himself.

Ultimately, the natives decide they should talk to this “white man” and end up meeting him at his fort in which the medicine man and the sioux warrior first come for this arrangement. All of them didn’t get far due to language barriers but some progress was made. It wasn’t until Dunbar later saved Stands With One Fist that he made more progress and his first findings of Buffalo aka Tatanka that he was truly accepted to hang around more at their village/camps. Upon another meeting Dunbar was seen playing with Two Socks (the wolf) by the Indians and they then gave him the name Dances with Wolves.

Dances with Wolves made a true impact when the warriors left to go and head off a rival Indian tribe called the Ponees and he was asked to stay and protect Kicking Bird’s family. Low and behold the Ponees ended up coming to the village/camp while the warriors were away but Dances with Wolves (Dunbar) was able to fight them off with the Indians at the village with ease due to him providing them all with rifles and guns.

As time went by and the seasons passed and blossomed so did the relationship between Stands With One Fist and Dances With Wolves (Dunbar). Ultimately the two were allowed to marry, and finally John Dunbar felt he was now forever Dances with Wolves. As the village felt it was time to move to their winter camp they packed everything up, but at the last moment Dances with Wolves remembered he left his diary at the old soldier fort and must double back and get it or the Army would be able to track him and them down.

Upon going back the Army had finally showed up and he was mistaken for Indian (well, he now was) so they captured him and were holding him prisoner as a traitor. Some of the Sioux warriors led a war party to break Dances with Wolves free, and ultimately did. Throughout this epic journey is much more than the break down that I have given you and I suspect that many of you have already seen this wonderful movie. The blu-ray is just as fantastic and there are far more entertaining scenes buried away in this western masterpiece. This is definitely one for the blu-ray collection. Those who are collectors might want to check out the German Blu-ray steelbook version for Dances with Wolves. However, be forewarned it is region locked to B.

Dances with Wolves come to you presented in a true to form 1080p blu-ray transfer. What a remarkable transfer it is as most all of this movie was shot out doors. The sun shines down on the landscape giving all the bits of nature a great picture on blu-ray. In all honesty, if the transfer isn’t perfect you’re not going to be able to tell as there are hardly any dark scenes that just show some bit of inferiority. It truly stays true to it’s form as if you were there experiencing it yourself. From the deep clarity of the costumes from what the Native Americans wear to the lush landscape of the rolling hills, rivers, and fall/winter seasons you experience. The sheer beauty of the animals also shine through. This is a great blu-ray transfer, and I’m sure most all videophiles will agree. I really cant find anything to complain about especially within the context of this films setting and true form of natural realism.

The audio track is fantastic in its glory 7.1 DTS HD Master track. The sounds of the Indian dances, the gun shots, vocal clarity, singing, fighting, you-name-it. The mix is tight and the master is dead on, if you want to complain about this then your too anal to enjoy such a masterpiece on film. It’s damn near perfect, and absolutely awesome on blu-ray. Audioholics will rejoice.

Dances with Wolves features a slew of awesome extras which are mostly taken from the special edition DVD released years ago. Thankfully, we got these now with this first outing on blu-ray as opposed to a bare bones release and then the extras later. Five years from now will be the 25th anniversary, so I’m glad they didn’t entirely hold back this time. The second disc contains the special features.

With over 55 minutes of additional scenes and 2 hours of extras with new features you just cant go wrong.

Real History or Movie Make-Believe?
A Day in the Life on the Western Frontier
The Original Making of Dances with Wolves
Commentary by Kevin Costner and Producer Jim Wilson
Commentary by Director of Photography Dean Semler and Editor Neil Travis
Military Rank and Social Hierarchy Guide
The Creation of an Epic – A Retrospective Documentary
Original Music Video Featuring Music by John Barry
Poster GalleryDances Photo Montage with Introduction by Ben Glass
Theatrical Trailer and TV spots

With an absolute classic now there is always high hopes, and those hopes have definitely been exceeded in this blu-ray release of Dances with Wolves. The audio track is smashing and for those able to enjoy 7.1 will be mesmerized, though I played it on 5.1 as well and its just as terrific. The supplements are far and wide and include some new exclusives to blu-ray. The video quality is true to it’s form is extremely fitting for this release with only very slight instances of film grain that you’ll probably not even notice nor care about. The blu-ray is packed and has been available at some crazy low prices for all that’s inside this baby. By now most everyone has seen this but if you haven’t its worth a blind buy no doubt. For those who have seen it, get your edition upgraded and enjoy this on blu-ray as this is one you can watch over and over. Hi-def Ninja highly recommended.