Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Dances with Wolves

film

Dances with Wolves

1990

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.

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 historical drama with sustained gun violence, deaths, suicide-related material, mourning, cultural conflict, and emotionally intense themes; the long runtime and complex subject matter also suit mature teens. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Violence4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Several important characters and an animal die, including suicide, battlefield deaths, murder, and a particularly sad wolf death; grief is prominent.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Features depictions of blood, wounds from war, and a suicide attempt involving self-mutilation during grief.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild to moderate coarse language is used, primarily by the foul-mouthed wagoner.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on Native American spiritual beliefs, rituals, and the importance of traditional medicine men.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

A serious interracial romance develops between Dunbar and Stands With A Fist and leads to marriage; intimacy is important but not explicit.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Sustained suspense comes from warfare, raids, captivity, pursuit, suicide-related peril, and a wolf's shooting. The serious historical-drama tone is frightening at times but not horror-like.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains brief, non-sexual nudity.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Historical usage of tobacco is shown in a cultural context.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent gunfights, raids, battles, attacks, executions, and combat deaths are central to the story, though graphic detail is limited.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters face war, isolation, persecution, cultural conflict, and loss with loyalty and principled resistance, though some bravery is dangerous.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The story encourages curiosity about language and culture, adaptation to unfamiliar settings, diary-keeping, and imaginative connection with nature.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Lakota characters are central, varied, and given agency, language, relationships, and distinct personalities; the film engages seriously with cultural difference.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

The film offers historical and cultural context about the Civil War era, Lakota life, language, buffalo hunting, and westward expansion, though it is dramatized.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Mutual care, hospitality, rescue, friendship, adoption, and cross-cultural cooperation are major counterpoints to the violence.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It strongly addresses empathy across cultures, respect for Indigenous people, friendship, loyalty, environmental stewardship, and the harms of colonial violence.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Dunbar shows courage, loyalty, and openness, while the film also depicts flawed institutions, prejudice, desertion, and morally troubling choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Dances with Wolves would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Dances with Wolves, and what caused that change?
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