The film Dances With Wolves captivated audiences worldwide in the early 1990s with its breathtaking visuals and profound story. Many know it as an Oscar-winning movie directed by and starring Kevin Costner, but the journey began with the Dances With Wolves book, penned by Michael Blake. This article delves into the origins of this compelling narrative, exploring Blake’s inspiration and the path that led his novel to become a cinematic masterpiece.
Michael Blake, the author and Academy Award-winning screenwriter behind Dances With Wolves, offers a unique perspective on the adaptation process and the wellspring of ideas that fueled his creation. For Blake, writing isn’t just about crafting characters; it’s about sharing experiences. He emphasizes, “I come from the school of writing that doesn’t really create characters so much, as much as they try to share their experience with people.” This philosophy is deeply embedded in Dances With Wolves, where the protagonist, Lieutenant John Dunbar, embarks on a transformative journey that mirrors Blake’s own spiritual quest and fascination with Native American culture.
Alt text: Michael Blake, author of Dances With Wolves book and screenplay, pictured in a thoughtful pose.
Blake’s desire to authentically portray the experiences of the time and place depicted in Dances With Wolves led him to extensive research. He recounts, “When I first started thinking about Dances with Wolves, I went to the library and read mainly first-person accounts because I wanted to get the feel of that time and place.” This dedication to historical accuracy and immersive research is crucial to understanding the depth and realism present in both the Dances With Wolves book and the film adaptation. He immersed himself in libraries, seeking out firsthand narratives from the frontier era to ground his fictional world in tangible reality.
Among the books that significantly influenced Blake’s writing was Mary Sandoz’s biography of Crazy Horse. He describes it as “probably the most inspiring thing for me during the years it took to write the book.” Crazy Horse, an Oglala Sioux leader, became a figure of profound admiration for Blake, embodying spiritual and leadership qualities akin to “great religious leaders, like Jesus, or Muhammad, or the Buddha.” This inspiration deeply informed Blake’s portrayal of the Sioux people in Dances With Wolves, emphasizing their spirituality and connection to the natural world.
Alt text: Quote from Michael Blake emphasizing the spiritual influence of Crazy Horse and Native American traditions on the Dances With Wolves book.
The initial spark for the Dances With Wolves book came from a seemingly simple image encountered during Blake’s research. He recalls reading an anecdote in Plains Indian Raiders about a wagon driver arriving at an abandoned outpost, finding only “a piece of canvas flapping in the breeze.” This stark and evocative image resonated deeply with Blake, planting the seed for the story that would become Dances With Wolves. He elaborated, “That image somehow moved me, and I started thinking about it, filling it in with other images. I thought to myself, well, what if I was on that wagon, and that was going to be my new post, what would happen then?” This solitary image became the catalyst for a narrative exploring isolation, cultural immersion, and spiritual awakening on the American frontier.
While the Dances With Wolves book and screenplay share the same core story, Blake highlights the distinct nature of writing in each medium. As a novelist, he favors “broad strokes” and focuses on “dialogue and character development.” However, for the screenplay, his approach shifted to a more “linear way from the main character’s point of view.” He aimed for readability in his screenplays, viewing them not merely as blueprints for a film but as complete works in themselves. Blake notes the difference in scope, stating, “Dances With Wolves is less an epic book than it is an epic movie. As a film it’s this big giant thing that plays all over the world, whereas the book is like a little gem.”
Alt text: Side-by-side comparison of the Dances With Wolves book cover and movie poster, illustrating the different scales of the story.
Blake emphasizes that screenwriting is a craft honed through dedication and perseverance. He compares it to learning a musical instrument, involving “discipline, something to be learned, it’s not something you can just jump into and expect immediate rewards and gratification.” This perspective underscores the hard work and commitment required to adapt the nuanced narrative of the Dances With Wolves book into a compelling and visually stunning screenplay.
Initially conceived with a Comanche setting, the Dances With Wolves book eventually shifted its focus to the Sioux due to logistical and locational considerations. However, Blake stresses that the underlying spiritual essence remained consistent. “But no matter what the differences between the Sioux and the Comanche, the spirituality of it is pretty much the same. And that’s what I was writing about – the spiritual aspects of the way these people lived.” This focus on universal spiritual themes, rooted in Native American cultures, is a defining characteristic of both the Dances With Wolves book and its celebrated film adaptation.
In conclusion, the journey of Dances With Wolves from book to screen is a testament to Michael Blake’s dedication to authentic storytelling, spiritual exploration, and the craft of writing. The Dances With Wolves book stands as a “little gem,” rich in character and introspection, while the movie expands the narrative into an epic cinematic experience. Both versions, however, remain faithful to Blake’s original vision, inviting audiences and readers alike to contemplate the profound spiritual connections between humanity and the natural world, inspired by the rich tapestry of Native American cultures. Exploring the Dances With Wolves book offers a deeper understanding of the themes and inspirations that made the story so resonant and enduring.
