Kevin Costner Shares a Subtle Shift That Elevated His Film Career
Kevin Costner, the acclaimed actor, producer, and director, recently discussed his fascination with creating long films during a talk at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on September 21.
Reflecting on his childhood, Costner shared a memorable experience when he was taken to the Cinerama Dome with friends to celebrate a birthday by watching How the West Was Won. He described the film’s “magic,” highlighting its stunning landscapes and realistic water effects. He was so captivated that he chose to remain in his seat during intermission, unwilling to miss a moment of the experience.
“I stayed put while everyone else left for intermission. I wasn’t going to give up that magic,” he recalled. “When it was over, it left a lasting impression on me.”
The Bodyguard star noted, “It was a four-hour film, so it’s no wonder my own films tend to be lengthy—mine are usually around three hours.”
At 69, Costner has directed several extended films, including Dances with Wolves, which runs for three hours and one minute. His upcoming Horizon Saga Part 1 is also three hours and one minute long, with the second part extending to three hours and ten minutes.
He also discussed the impact of the 1956 film Giant, saying, “That’s another three-hour movie. At 12 years old, I watched it and realized who I wanted to be.”
Costner emphasized the lessons films can teach us about identity, quipping, “Despite all their artifice, movies reveal so much about who we aspire to be.”
In his reflection on films from the 1950s and 1960s, he highlighted the challenge of maintaining relevance over time. “It’s easy to be popular, but being relevant is much more difficult. I want my life—and I believe you do too—to have relevance,” he concluded.
