Dakota Epic: Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves [Paperback]

Bill Markley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2001

Kevin Costner's award-winning film, Dances With Wolves was first released in 1990. Dakota Epic is a first-hand account of the filming from an extra's viewpoint. Bill Markley, a reenactor on the set, kept a journal during the filming. "When I was selected to be in Dances With Wolves, I had no movie or reenacting experience, so everything was new to me." From a rookie's viewpoint, Bill takes us into the world of movie-making and reenacting. Experience the filming of the opening Civil War scenes. Visit the "frontier" at Ft. Hays. And be with the Lakota and cavalry at the concluding Search for Dunbar. This is a rousing, humorous look behind the scenes of movie-making. The illustrations were created byJim Hatzell, a reenactor and artist who drew a wide variety of sketches while on the set. Bill and Jim have worked together to develop a unique view of life on the Dances With Wolves film set. If you have ever wondered what the background people were doing and thinking during and between filming, then this is the book for you. You will never view the people in a film"s background quite the same after reading this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Markley was an extra in Dances With Wolves, Son of the Morning Star, Far and Away, Gettysburg, and Crazy Horse. His hobbies include: writing, reading, reenacting, hiking, and camping. He and his wife, Liz, have been married over twenty years and have two children, Becky and Christopher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (August 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595195210
• ISBN-13: 978-0595195213
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,091,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reenactor reveals behind the scenes action, August 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dakota Epic: Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves (Paperback)

Bill Markley sheds light on many behind the scenes action that takes place in the filming of a major movie. His highly descriptive account of his days as a reenactor makes one feel as if one were actually on set. He also explains some of the tricks that were used to film the scenes, making them look highly authentic. The author tells of the boredom from long hours on the set and what cast and crew do to entertain themselves while waiting for their call. There are fantastic sketches by another reenactor, Jim Hatzell, which illustrate the book. The sketches were also done while on set.
Markley shares what it was like to meet and work with a famous actor, something most everyone dreams of but never gets the opportunity. The odds of a "Dakota" boy being cast in a Hollywood epic were one in a million, so dream your dream with "Dakota Epic!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always fascinating, April 11, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dakota Epic: Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves (Paperback)

Enhanced with black and white illustrations by Jim Hatzell, Dakota Epic: Experiences Of A Reenactor During The Filming Of Dances With Wolves is Bill Markley's fascinating, first-hand, personal account of what went on behind the scenes of the award-winning 1990 movie Dances With Wolves. This is the revealing viewpoint of a hard-working extra who kept a journal during the filming of what was to become an acclaimed and successful major Hollywood movie. Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always fascinating, Dakota Epic is a superb, up-close scrutiny of the trials, tribulations, and successes of a great move and highly recommended reading for film buffs, aspiring actors, and anyone who sat in a darkened theatre and got completely caught up in the Kevin Costner's award-winning epic film.

5.0 out of 5 stars Anybody interested in film should read this..., September 4, 2004

By 

Gotham Manooj Collias "G. M. Collias" (South Dakota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dakota Epic: Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I have read on filmmaking in quite a while. It's doesn't dive into technicalities, which is good on some occasions, but "Dakota Epic" is more of a hands-on experience book. It's a good read from the point of view of an extra, and it's not too personalized, that it gets boring. And the illustrations in the book capture the feel of what is being read to tee. This is a great book about the making of a great film, and why the heart of that film didn't come from its big star and director, but from the native Dakota blood involved in its making. Great job!
-G. M. Collias