Kevin Costner Discusses the Length of His Films.

Kevin Costner has a clear penchant for epic storytelling in his directorial work. His debut film, Dances with Wolves(1990), runs just over three hours, and his 1997 follow-up, The Postman, is similarly lengthy. Although he briefly returned to shorter films with Open Range (139 minutes), his latest project, the multi-part Horizon, sees the first two installments exceeding six hours. So, what motivates Costner to create such long films? The answer lies in his admiration for cinematic classics.

At a recent History Talks event hosted by the History Channel (via Deadline), Costner shared that his fascination with epic films shaped his creative approach. He specifically mentioned the 1962 film How the West Was Won, directed by Henry Hathaway, John Ford, and George Marshall, which has a runtime of four hours. “It’s no surprise mine are three,” he remarked. He also referenced George Stevens’ Giant (1956), another three-hour film, indicating a clear pattern in his influences.

Both of these films are considered iconic in the American Western genre, leaving a lasting impact on Costner, whose Dances with Wolves notably won the Best Picture Oscar. While some critique this victory, particularly in comparison to Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, there’s no denying its sweeping scope. Costner expressed that How the West Was Won profoundly affected him: “Everyone left for intermission, but I stayed. I wasn’t giving up my magic seat. I waited for that movie to start again, and it marked me.”

In the conversation, Costner emphasized the importance of fully committing to the craft, regardless of runtime. “No matter when you make a movie, it will last forever, so the details you include matter. If you get those details right, the film will remain relevant. That’s what I hope for in my life. It’s easy to be popular; being relevant is what truly matters.”