South Dakota has hosted numerous production crews, many of which use the state’s distinct physical and cultural landscape – from the rolling prairies to the Badlands, and from Indigenous people to early settlers – to inspire their stories.
‘Dances With Wolves’ (1990)
“Dances With Wolves,” arguably the state’s most iconic film, was shot in western South Dakota in 1989 before being released worldwide in 1990. Kevin Costner directs the film, which follows Costner as Lt. John J. Dunbar, who travels to a South Dakota military post and meets a group of Lakota people.
Notably, much of the film’s dialogue is in Lakota, which Doris Leader Charge translated. Leader Charge instructed Lakota studies students at Sinte Gleska University on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
In 1991, the film won Best Picture, Best Director for Kevin Costner, and five other Academy Awards. Visitors to western South Dakota can see film set pieces at Fort Hays, just outside of Rapid City, the Tatanka Museum in Deadwood, and the 1880 Cowboy Town near Murdo.
‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’ (2007)
One of the most famous scenes from “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” was filmed at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In the film, the monument was revealed to be built to conceal natural landmarks leading to Cibola, the city of gold.
Scenes from the film “National Treasure,” starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, and Helen Mirren, were shot on location at Mount Rushmore and nearby Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.
‘Thunderheart’ and ‘Incident at Oglala’ (1992)
Michael Apted’s 1992 film “Thunderheart” stars Val Kilmer and Graham Greene. Kilmer plays an FBI agent of Indigenous heritage who visits a reservation to investigate the murder of a tribal council member.
“Thunderheart” was shot on the Pine Ridge Reservation, also known as the “Bear Creek Reservation” in the film, as well as the Badlands.
The film was well-known for casting Lakota elders such as Ted Thin Elk and John Trudell as key characters in the story, which reflected their own experiences. The film is loosely based on the American Indian Movement’s occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973.
Apted also directed the documentary “Incident at Oglala,” which details the occupation.
“Incident at Oglala” is narrated by Robert Redford and tells the story of the American Indian Movement, specifically the deaths of two FBI agents and an AIM member on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on June 26, 1975.
The film follows the trial of AIM leader Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to two life terms. His sentence was commuted to home confinement earlier this year.
‘The Rider’ (2017) and ‘Nomadland’ (2020)
Throughout her career, director Chloe Zhao has been inspired by the state of South Dakota. Zhao is a master of “docu-fiction,” telling stories about real South Dakotans who frequently play themselves. Zhao’s most successful films, “The Rider” and “Nomadland,” were filmed in western South Dakota.
“The Rider” tells the true story of Brady Jandreau, a Lakota from Pine Ridge, whose rodeo career is cut short due to a head injury. It was primarily shot in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Badlands. In the film, Jandreau plays himself and several of his family members.
“Nomadland” follows Frances McDormand’s character Fern as she travels across rural America. She spends a significant amount of time in the film in the Badlands and at Wall Drug.
“Nomadland” won three Oscars in 2021: Best Picture, Best Director (Zhao), and Best Actress (McDormand).
