Dances With Wolves ; Theatrical or Director's Cut?

They're both rather long films. From memory, I believed the TC flowed better but that the DC was the one with the most depth, however a lot more scenes with just the Indians talking to each other which sort of dragged on, IMHO.

Of course, my opinion might change if I watched them both now as it's been about 10 years since I last saw it.

Wondering who watched both and what people preferred and why.

 

I love the director's cut. It fills in the story for me.

 

FTR, the TC is 3h whereas the DC is 4:12!!

 

If you do have the chance to see both, try seeing the Directors' Cut first, then have it fresh in your mind when you encounter the Theater Cut.

Many people consider the longer cut if a film they love, and conclude, "yippee - more of the thing I love!" But seeing them both in this order, is closer to what the director himself went through. You might not only see how the director found reasons to edit further...you might begin to appreciate some of his/her wisdom in doing so.

 

I recently watched a documentary on the making of this movie. Costner only edited parts out because the studio told him to. Initially, they wanted a 2:20 cut but Costner and even the editor thought it was like chopping arms and legs.

They fought hard to have a 3h cut and the movie's success attributes that decision as being a good one.

But was cutting 1:11 of material a good one too? That's what this thread is about. Your suggestion to watch both in that order is a good one.

 

DC is a marvel.

 

Directors cut for me. I adore this film.

 

I wish the original cut was available on blu-ray. The can include the Director's Cut as well, but I want a copy of the film as it existed when it won the Oscar

 

I have the orignal on blu-ray and I'm pretty sure that it is region free. Can be bought dirt cheap from Europe.

I prefer the longer cut though, it feels more complete

 

I own both but no contest.

Director's Cut all the way !

Unlike some DC's when I watch this one all I see are wonderful insightful scenes that really flesh out the story and really should have been in the TC.

Hell, the DC should have been the TC !

 

Same here !

 

Another vote for the director's cut.

 

the cut including more of John Barry's score is the one for me.

 

director's cut all the way.... 4 hours doesn't feel too long when it's such a good movie.

 

I prefer the theatrical cut. Director's cut is too much of a good thing. Just too long.

 

I completely agree... and so does Kevin Costner in a 2004 interview;

”I didn’t work on the long version of Dances With Wolves... I release the versions I want. They are long, so I don’t need for ’em to be any longer.”

From what I can gather, the extended version was put together by producer Jim Wilson without Costner's involvement. I personally think the theatrical version is tight, concise, gets the point across, and is generally a much better film overall.

 

The Director's Cut is now all that's available in America now. The LaserDisc that was released after the film came out contained the Theatrical Cut

 

For those who want the Theatrical Cut, you can order it from Amazon UK.

It's region-free.

Dances With Wolves [Blu-ray] [1990] [Region Free]: Amazon.co.uk: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Gordon Tootoosis, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant: DVD & Blu-ray

 

I see Amazon does have the TC on dvd.

 

Director's Cut.

This thread made me want to rewatch it so I go to amazon.com to order the BD and it is for Prime members only. Screw you amazon.com, off to Best Buy I go.

 

1) Theatrical Cut is on Blu Ray in region 2....I have it and I confirmed it's region free
Dances With Wolves [Blu-ray] [1990] [Region Free]: Amazon.co.uk: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Gordon Tootoosis, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant: DVD & Blu-ray
2) I've never seen the DC, but frankly this movie is long enough....and PERFECT.

 

Look in the BluRay bin up front; it should be mixed in.

 

Look at post 18.

 

Director's Cut, for me.

 

TC, DC was too long for me!

Still one of my favorite John Barry Scores, it gets several listens each year.