Kevin Costner Discusses the Length of His Films

Kevin Costner isn’t known for making short films, and he might just have the perfect explanation for it. During a recent appearance at the History Channel’s History Talks event, he recalled watching the Western epic How the West Was Won at around seven years old, which sparked his lifelong fascination with the American West—an influence that persists in many of his films.

Currently, Costner is immersed in his ambitious passion project, Horizon. Designed as a four-part saga, Chapter 1 was released earlier this summer but didn’t quite resonate at the box office, resulting in mixed reviews and a postponement of Chapter 2’s release. Both films run over three hours, reminiscent of his Oscar-winning Dances With Wolves from 1991. Reflecting on his preference for longer films, Costner humorously noted that attending How the West Was Won at the Cinerama Dome for a friend’s birthday likely influenced his approach. He remarked:

“It was a 4-hour movie. So it’s no surprise mine are three.”

Although How the West Was Won is actually just under three hours, that still felt like an eternity to a young child. What truly captivated Costner was the “magic” of cinema, which he wanted to experience more deeply.

“Everyone left for intermission, but I didn’t. I wasn’t about to give up my magic seat. I waited for the movie to start again, and when it ended, it left a mark on me.”

Movies from the ‘50s and ‘60s have significantly shaped Costner’s career. Like many artists, his childhood experiences influence his creative vision. He also mentioned the 1956 film Giant, featuring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean, which has a runtime of 3 hours and 21 minutes.

He vividly recalled a scene where Hudson’s character stands up for his beliefs and is told by his wife that he “never stood taller.” Costner reflected on how that moment ignited a desire within him:

“At 12 years old, I realized who I wanted to be. Despite the phoniness in films, they teach us valuable lessons about identity. It doesn’t matter when a movie is made; it will endure. What matters is the attention to detail, because if it resonates, it remains relevant. That’s what I aspire to in my life. Popularity is easy; relevance is challenging. I want my life to matter, and I believe you do too.”