Dances With Wolves Starring Kevin Costner In 1865, a Civil War hero asks to be reassigned to the western frontier 'before it's gone.' At his isolated post he develops a relationship with the peaceful Lakota Sioux who live nearby, finding greater kinship with them than with his own people. See 'Hondo' for an interesting comparison. Academy Award Nominations: 11, including Best Actor--Kevin Costner. Academy Awards: 7, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best (Adapted) Screenplay.