Dances with Wolves (1990)

Adventure Drama Western
→ Influenced 5 films ← Inspired by 3 films

Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

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Connections

← Inspired By

Little Big Man
Little Big Man (1970)1
 Run of the Arrow
Run of the Arrow (1957)2
 The Searchers
The Searchers (1956)3

→ Influenced

The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai (2003)4
 Jonathan of the Bears
Jonathan of the Bears (1994)5
 Pocahontas
Pocahontas (1995)6
 The New World
The New World (2005)7
 Avatar
Avatar (2009)8

Sources

Influenced By

  1. Little Big Man (1970)
    "This film features a white protagonist who is raised by the Cheyenne and offers a satirical yet poignant look at Native American life and the American frontier. Its sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans and critique of U.S. policies likely influenced the thematic direction of "Dances with Wolves."" MOVIES : COMMENTARY : Elegy for a Not-So-New Frontier : 'Dances With Wolves,' with its lyrical views of untamed land and explosive, unpredictable violence, does a dying genre proud Los Angeles Times
  2. Run of the Arrow (1957)
    "Directed by Samuel Fuller, this film tells the story of a Confederate soldier who, after the Civil War, joins a Sioux tribe and assimilates into their culture. The parallels between this narrative and "Dances with Wolves" are significant, with Fuller himself acknowledging the similarities." Movie Connections IMDb
  3. The Searchers (1956)
    "Directed by John Ford, this classic Western follows a Civil War veteran's relentless search for his abducted niece, who has been assimilated into a Native American tribe. The film's exploration of cultural identity and the complexities of frontier life provided a backdrop for later films like "Dances with Wolves."" Movie Connections IMDb

Influenced

  1. The Last Samurai (2003)
    "Starring Tom Cruise, this film tells the story of an American military advisor who embraces the samurai culture he was initially sent to suppress, mirroring the cultural assimilation depicted in *Dances with Wolves*." 16 Movies Like Dances with Wolves (1990) Television Stats
  2. Jonathan of the Bears (1994)
    "This European Western follows a man raised by Native Americans who defends his tribe against external threats. The film is noted for its similarities to *Dances with Wolves*, though its production began before Costner's film was released." Jonathan of the Bears Wikipedia
  3. Pocahontas (1995)
    "This animated film portrays the relationship between a Native American woman and an English settler, echoing themes of cross-cultural understanding and conflict found in *Dances with Wolves*." Media – Dances with Avatar Sites
  4. The New World (2005)
    "Directed by Terrence Malick, this film explores the story of Pocahontas and her interactions with English settlers, delving into themes of cultural exchange and the impact of colonization, akin to those in *Dances with Wolves*." 16 Movies Like Dances with Wolves (1990) Television Stats
  5. Avatar (2009)
    "The story of a soldier assimilating into a Native American tribe and defending them against his former comrades shares thematic similarities with *Avatar*." Avatar %282009 film%29 Wikipedia