1989
Union Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, posted to an abandoned frontier fort, gradually integrates into a local Sioux tribe, learning their ways and marrying Stands With A Fist, a white woman raised by the Sioux. Now known as Dances With Wolves, he fully embraces tribal life, participating in hunts and defending them from rival tribes. After being captured and nearly executed by Union soldiers who mistake him for a renegade, he is rescued by the Sioux. Realizing his presence endangers the tribe, Dances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist depart to protect them from the encroaching U.S. Army, leaving their Sioux family behind as Union troops continue their search.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Civil War officer John Dunbar arrives at an abandoned frontier fort and finds purpose living among the Lakota Sioux.
Open full beat sheetLieutenant John J. Dunbar is listed as Protagonist. A young, handsome Union officer who seeks the frontier and eventually integrates into Sioux culture. In the parsed data, Lieutenant John J. Dunbar is connected to 88 scenes, 75 dialogue lines, 75 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
88 scenes / 75 dialogue linesStands With A Fist is listed as Supporting. A white woman raised by the Sioux who becomes Dunbar's wife. In the parsed data, Stands With A Fist is connected to 30 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
30 scenes / 20 dialogue linesKicking Bird is listed as Supporting. A wise and mature Sioux medicine man who seeks to understand the white man. In the parsed data, Kicking Bird is connected to 29 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
29 scenes / 21 dialogue linesWind In His Hair is listed as Supporting. A fierce and proud Sioux warrior who eventually becomes Dunbar's friend. In the parsed data, Wind In His Hair is connected to 24 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
24 scenes / 16 dialogue linesTen Bears is listed as Supporting. The elderly, respected head man of the Sioux band. In the parsed data, Ten Bears is connected to 14 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
14 scenes / 5 dialogue linesSmiles A Lot is listed as Supporting. A young, eager Sioux boy who admires Dunbar. In the parsed data, Smiles A Lot is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 18.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTimmons is listed as Supporting. A foul-smelling, crude wagon driver who transports Dunbar to Fort Sedgewick. In the parsed data, Timmons is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMajor Fambrough is listed as Antagonist. An unstable, mentally deteriorating army officer at Fort Hays. In the parsed data, Major Fambrough is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCaptain Cargill is listed as Supporting. The weary, tooth-aching commander of the abandoned Fort Sedgewick. In the parsed data, Captain Cargill is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 8.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGeneral Tide is listed as Supporting. A distinguished Union General. In the parsed data, General Tide is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDunbar, wounded, wakes up in a field hospital and decides to leave after seeing the grim conditions.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarSurgeons return to the tent to find Dunbar gone.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar returns to his unit at the front lines.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar rides his horse across the battlefield, triggering a Union charge.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, General TideDunbar meets the unstable Major Fambrough to receive his orders.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Major FambroughMajor Fambrough commits suicide.
Major FambroughDunbar travels toward Fort Sedgewick with Timmons.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, TimmonsCaptain Cargill abandons Fort Sedgewick.
Captain CargillDunbar and Timmons discuss the lack of buffalo and Indians while traveling to Fort Sedgewick.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, TimmonsDunbar and Timmons arrive at the deserted Fort Sedgewick; Dunbar insists on staying.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, TimmonsDunbar writes in his journal and hears a wolf howl.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar cleans up the river bank by removing animal carcasses.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarPawnee warriors spot Timmons' campfire smoke and attack him.
TimmonsTen Bears and Kicking Bird discuss the sighting of a white man.
Kicking Bird, Ten BearsSioux leaders debate the significance of the white man.
Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, Ten Bears, Smiles A LotThe Sioux council discusses the white man at the fort; Ten Bears advises caution.
Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, Ten BearsThe meeting breaks up and Smiles A Lot sneaks off.
Smiles A LotSmiles A Lot, Worm, and Otter ride toward the fort to steal the horse.
Smiles A LotDunbar is woken by the boys and knocks himself unconscious.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarThe boys attempt to steal Cisco, but the horse escapes.
Smiles A LotDunbar wakes up with a head injury.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar shaves while being watched by Two Socks.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarWind In His Hair confronts Dunbar.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairStands With A Fist mourns a dead warrior.
Stands With A FistDunbar decides to ride to the Indians.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar finds an injured Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistDunbar returns the injured woman to the Sioux.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairCouncil decides to talk to the white man.
Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, Ten BearsDunbar hosts Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Wind In His HairDunbar converses with Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair via sign language; Dunbar waves to the escort, surprising them.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Wind In His HairDunbar draws portraits of Wind In His Hair and Kicking Bird.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarKicking Bird approaches Stands With A Fist to talk.
Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistKicking Bird urges Stands With A Fist to remember her English to help communicate with Dunbar.
Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistBlack Shawl questions Kicking Bird about Stands With A Fist.
Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistStands With A Fist experiences a traumatic flashback to her childhood.
Stands With A FistDunbar hears the earth trembling from the buffalo herd.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar arrives at the village to warn them about the buffalo.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking BirdThe tribe marches; Dunbar interacts with the children.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Smiles A LotThe tribe discovers a site where white men have slaughtered buffalo.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking BirdDunbar is called to join the buffalo scouts.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistDunbar prepares for the buffalo hunt; Stands With A Fist speaks English.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His Hair, Stands With A FistThe buffalo hunt takes place; Dunbar saves Smiles A Lot.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His Hair, Smiles A LotThe ritual consumption of the buffalo liver.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairDunbar and Wind In His Hair trade clothing items.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairDunbar trades for his hat with a Big Warrior during a feast.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairKicking Bird questions Wind In His Hair about the tunic.
Kicking Bird, Wind In His HairDunbar is pulled into a dance by the Sioux women.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking BirdDunbar witnesses Kicking Bird and his wife having sex.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistDunbar retrieves his horse, Cisco.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Smiles A LotDunbar reflects on his loneliness.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar writes in his journal and finds mice.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar finds a dead prairie chicken.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar eats and decides to visit the Sioux.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar dances alone while Two Socks watches.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairDunbar tries to send Two Socks home.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDunbar meets Kicking Bird, Stone Calf, and Wind In His Hair.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Wind In His HairDunbar arrives at the village.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Wind In His HairDunbar learns the names of Kicking Bird and Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistDunbar asks to join the war party.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Stands With A FistThe war party departs.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair, Stands With A FistDunbar and Stands With A Fist practice English.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistDances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist practice language and share a moment of intimacy.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A Fist, Smiles A LotBlack Shawl questions Stands With A Fist about her relationship with Dances With Wolves.
Stands With A Fist, Kicking Bird, Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves meets Stands With A Fist to go for water.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistDances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist ride to the river.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistStands With A Fist explains how she got her name.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistStands With A Fist is silent when Black Shawl asks if she is talking.
Stands With A Fist, Kicking BirdThe village settles for the evening.
Dances With Wolves thinks of Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves waits for Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves searches for Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves asks Stone Calf about Stands With A Fist.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Ten BearsBlack Shawl tells Stands With A Fist that Dances With Wolves is gone.
Stands With A Fist, Kicking BirdDances With Wolves visits his old fort.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves writes in his journal.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves feeds Two Socks.
Lieutenant John J. DunbarDances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist reunite.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistDances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist encounter the boys.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A Fist, Smiles A LotDances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist are together.
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, Stands With A FistWounded warriors return to camp.
The men who wore this came in the time of my grandfather's grandfather. Eventually, we drove them out. Then the Mexicans came. In my own time the whites came... the Texans. They have been like all the others who find something they want in our country. They take it without asking. I have always been a peaceful man, happy to be in my own country and wanting nothing from the white people. Nothing at all. But I think you are right. I think they will keep coming. When I think of that, I look at this bundle. Our country is all that we want. We will fight to keep it.
Wind In His Hair has spoken straight, his words are strong and I have heard them. It's true the whites are a poor race and it's hard to understand them. But when I see one white man alone, without fear in our country, I do not think he is lost. I think he may have medicine. I see someone who might speak for all the white people who are coming. I think this is a person with which treaties might be struck.
I had never been married before. I don't know if all grooms have the same experience. But as Kicking Bird began to speak about what was expected of a Sioux husband, my mind began to swim in a way that shut out everything but her. The tiny details of her costume. The contours of her shape. The light in her eyes. The smallness of her feet. I knew that the love between us would be served.
This white man cannot cover our lodges, or string our bows, or feed our children. I will take some good men... there are many here tonight. We will ride to the soldier fort, we will shoot some arrows into this white man. If he truly has medicine he will not be hurt. If he has no medicine he will be dead.
Can't figger the stinkin' buffalo. Sometimes you don't see 'em for days, sometimes they're thick as curls on a whore.
Kicking Bird has been keeping to himself these last few days. I do not like to see our medicine man walking so alone.
Goddamn Indians you'd jus' as soon not see, lessen the bastards're dead. Nothing but thieves and beggars.
This is my post! And these are the post's provisions. Now get your ass off that wagon and help me unload.
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