Dances With Wolves [MGM UA, Special Edition]

This is one of my favorite films of all time. Finaly it gets the treatment it deserves ;)

The wife and I just watched this again a couple of weeks ago. I had not yet seen the 4-hour cut, and it took us a couple of nights, but....

Well, I have to say I didn't mind the extra footage at all. To be honest, other than the actual passing of time, I would have been hard-pressed to tell you it felt like a 4-hour movie.

Captivating landscapes, a masterful directing debut from Costner, and a great story make this a must-have.

Sean (...you also must-have a good bit of time on your hands to watch it!...)

I love this movie. But I have to say this extended version is WAY too long.

I have mixed feelings about this one. The extended version fleshes out many details, but the theatrical release is just fine, too. Moreover, the theatrical release is the real director's cut as the extended version was created for commercial reasons (I think I read somewhere that the Japanese market was clamoring for more "Dances" than the three-hour cut).

Eddie,

Hmmm... I recall when this film was released that Costner was hoping to put together a 4-hour cut for theaters. I think it was coming up on Oscar time or something. I always figured that he simply cut it down for American audiences, but always wanted to release the longer cut.

Not trying to contradict, just posting my recollections...

Sean (though in my advancing age, such recollections may just be figments of my imagination!...) :)

Sean,

That may or may not be true, but notice how the 4-hour cut has never been called a "director's cut". :)

Eddie

Eddie,

Zis ees true... But the LOTR Extended Editions were never called Director's Cuts either, though Jackson was behind them all the way.

Don't know. Just recollections from a cobwebby mind...

Sean (so musty up there that my ears smell like an old attic...)