Kevin Costner on Why His Movies Run Longer Than Most

Kevin Costner on His Love for Epic Filmmaking

Kevin Costner’s filmography as a director reveals a clear passion for epic storytelling. His debut, Dances with Wolves (1990), runs just over three hours, while his follow-up, The Postman (1997), is nearly as long. After a brief foray with the shorter Open Range (139 minutes), he returned after two decades with Horizon, whose first two parts exceed six hours combined. So, what inspires Costner to create such lengthy films? It all goes back to the classics.

At a recent History Channel event, Costner explained that his love for epic films sparked his interest in filmmaking and influenced his preference for longer runtimes. He specifically mentioned How the West Was Won (1962), directed by Henry Hathaway, John Ford, and George Marshall, which runs about four hours. “It’s no surprise mine are three,” he remarked. He also referenced George Stevens’ Giant (1956), another three-hour classic, stating, “Get the picture with me?”

Both films are hailed as iconic American westerns, making a lasting impression on Costner, whose Dances with Wolves notably won the Best Picture Oscar. While some criticize its victory over Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, there’s no denying its significance in the ’90s cinematic landscape. Costner shared how How the West Was Won deeply impacted him: “Everybody left for intermission, and I didn’t. I wasn’t going to give up my magic seat. I waited for that movie to start again, and when it was over, it marked me.”

In his discussion, Costner emphasized the importance of pouring everything into a film, regardless of its length. “It doesn’t matter when you make a movie; it’s going to live forever. So it matters what details you include. If you get those right, the film will remain relevant. That’s what I hope for in my life. It’s easy to be popular; it’s very hard to be relevant. I want my life to be relevant…”