If you thought Dances With Wolves was just your average Western, buckle up because there’s way more to the story than meets the eye. From near disasters to unexpected Hollywood connections, here are some surprising behind-the-scenes facts that’ll make you appreciate this iconic movie even more.
South Dakota provided the movie’s stunning landscapes.
The entire film was shot on location in South Dakota, which basically became the star of the show. Filming took place in the summer and fall of 1989, and the crew was able to capture those sweeping, epic landscapes that made the movie look so real. The vast open plains? Totally authentic.
Michael Blake’s novel was rejected 30 times before getting published.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore it became a cinematic masterpiece, Dances With Wolves was a novel that nobody wanted. Like, literally. Michael Blake, the author, faced 30 rejections before finally getting it published. Thanks to Kevin Costner’s belief in the story, the book became the movie we all know and love. Talk about persistence!
Kevin Costner almost got seriously injured on set.
Costner was all in for this movie. He did most of his own stunts, including the wild horseback riding scenes, which almost led to him breaking his back. Thankfully, he survived the shoot, but it’s safe to say he wasn’t just acting when Dunbar looked like he was in pain!
Filming the bison hunt scene took three weeks.
Embed from Getty ImagesRemember the iconic bison hunt? It wasn’t just movie magic — that scene took three weeks to film and involved 3500 bison, dozens of wranglers, and a bunch of stunt riders. Oh, and did we mention Kevin Costner did most of his own riding? No stunt doubles here, folks!
Neil Young’s personal bison made a cameo.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking of bison, some of the same ones used in the movie actually belonged to none other than Neil Young! Yes, the rock legend. Turns out, Neil’s bison had a brush with Hollywood fame, too.
Kevin Costner spent $3 million of his own money to keep production going.
When production started running over budget, Costner didn’t let it stop the show. Instead, he dipped into his own bank account and threw down a cool $3 million to keep things rolling. And it paid off — quite literally.
Trainers howled alongside the wolves to get the perfect shot.
To get the perfect shots of Two Socks howling at the moon, trainers had to howl alongside the wolves. So yes, Kevin Costner was out there howling like a wolf to get the scene just right. Hollywood, man.
Kevin Costner was made an honorary Sioux.
After the movie, the Sioux Nation honored Kevin Costner by making him an honorary member. The portrayal of Native American culture in the film resonated with many, earning Costner major respect for how the movie represented Indigenous peoples.
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Dances With Wolves beat out Goodfellas for Best Picture at the Oscars.
Embed from Getty ImagesDances With Wolves scored big at the 1991 Oscars, taking home seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner. But get this — Goodfellas was the expected frontrunner. The snub still haunts some Scorsese fans, but hey, Costner’s win was well-deserved.
Mary McDonnell was cast as a love interest close in age to Costner.
In a refreshing twist, Costner cast Mary McDonnell as Stands With A Fist — a love interest who was only slightly younger than him. She was 37 at the time, and despite Hollywood’s usual obsession with super-young women, Costner specifically wanted someone with life experience. Respect.
Two separate trailers targeted male and female audiences.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere’s some classic ’90s marketing for you: the studio made two different trailers for the movie; one aimed at women, emphasizing the love story, and another aimed at men that focused on all the action and adventure. Gotta love those targeted ads.
Pope John Paul II loved the movie’s score.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere’s one you didn’t see coming: the movie’s score, composed by John Barry, was reportedly a favorite of Pope John Paul II. It’s probably a good sign if your movie soundtrack is loved by the Pope.
There’s a sequel to Dances With Wolves — but it’s a book.
Embed from Getty ImagesYep, there’s a Dances With Wolves sequel — but not on screen, sadly. Author Michael Blake wrote The Holy Road in 2001, which continues the story of John Dunbar as he protects his tribe. While there’s been talk of a movie adaptation, it hasn’t happened… yet.
Two wolves played the role of Two Socks.
Embed from Getty ImagesTwo Socks, Dunbar’s furry BFF, was played by not one, but two real wolves named Buck and Teddy. These wolves had their own trainers and required a lot of treats to get those heartwarming moments on camera. Apparently, getting wolves to cooperate is harder than it looks!
