Reenacting - Dances With Wolves

     "The opening Civil War scenes were filmed about 25 miles east of Pierre along the Missouri River. It was August, but the set was made to look like autumn. The set crew even spray-painted the leaves on trees to make them appear to be in fall colors. We initially portrayed Confederate soldiers shooting at Kevin Costner’s character, Lieutenant Dunbar, and then later in the week the opening field hospital scene was filmed. It was here that Jim Hatzell and I met and formed a lasting friendship."

Bill (left) with Kevin Costner (2nd from right) - this
was taken on the Civil War Union hospital set
 where Kevin is going to have his foot
 amputated. Kevin's Dad took this picture of us. 

On Civil War set - Bill in his Confederate uniform: this is where they shot at Dunbar for a week and missed him every time.

     "The next scene I was in was Ft. Hays where Dunbar received his orders to head further west. The filming took place on a ranch outside of Caputa, southeast of Rapid City, South Dakota. Bruce, Tim, Dale, Jim, and others portrayed soldiers and civilians working and lounging around the fort. This was where I had a big close-up scene with Robert Pastorelli. (See below.)"

Bill & friends who were in the Civil War scenes. 
Left-to-right: Dale Englemann, Bill Markley, Tim Larson, Bruce Huxford, Terry Pool. Terry was the one who got the rest of us in the movie.   Our good friend Bruce Huxford passed away in 2001.

Robert Pastorelli was the obnoxious teamster in the movie.  He and I had a big scene together where he does not like the way I load the wagon.  We yell at each other back and forth - he called me Muttonhead.  The scene was cut out of the movie. Robert and I can be seen briefly through the Major's window as the Major talks with Dunbar.  Robert is a very nice guy. 

     "The final scene, the search for Dunbar, was filmed in Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In this scene the cavalry attempts to track down Dunbar; but just barely misses him and the Lakota village. Filming took several days. It snowed the day before filming and the snow melted on the last day of filming."

Jim Hatzell (center) and others awaiting further orders.

Bill on horseback in Spearfish Canyon.

     "Dances With Wolves was enjoyable to work on. I got my start in reenacting on the movie and I met many lifelong friends through the experience."

John Arrasmith & Bill Markley on the set