250 of 1001 Movies: Dances With Wolves (1990)

With a three hour running time Dances With Wolves explores all there is to explore with the characters in the time frame. For a first movie from Costner it's quite an ambitious endeavor. He also can't help but star in whatever movie he is directing even if there was most likely someone better for the role. What makes the story beautiful though is that the stories explored really show the frontier in a way that is beautiful and the Sioux's heritage in a very beautiful light.

Summary: Lietenant Dunbar ends up being exiled to a post after he is mistakenly credited as a hero after trying to commit suicide. Dunbar arrives there and is alone. Though he has the companion of his horse the loneliness eventually begins to get to him. While exploring he happens upon an injured woman, and also begins to get to know a tribe after bringing her back to them. The tribe is hesitant at first as their encounters with white men haven't been good, but Dunbar proves himself to be different, and also a hopeful messenger between the white people and the tribe.