Dances with Wolves is another successful story that follows the Hero’s Journey template almost by the book. Mirroring the Hero’s Journey template allows the screenwriter to write effective screenplays and stories.

1. Hero’s strength of character; nature [John Dunbar pulls his boots over his soon to be amputated leg].

2. Introduce a Supernatural Aid / Mentor [the General on the hill top].

3. Hero commits an extraordinary act [suicide sequence; John's fellow soldier initiates the Call to Adventure] the soldier’s reactions provide the Refusal].

4. Mentor recognizes the Hero as such and offers magical gifts (John Dunbar’s desire to see the frontier before it’s gone; Cisco the faithful horse and promotion].

5. Hero begins his journey [trip to Fort Hayes with Cisco].

6. Meeting the Threshold Guardian [the officer who commits suicide]. Warnings of danger [can drive you insane - like the officer].

7. Journey to the First Threshold with the (dangerous) Joker.

8. Danger of the journey developed; references to an antagonism [John finds skeletons along the way; killed by Indian arrows].

9. Character and natures of the Hero and Joker developed [camping sequence].

10. The magical nature of the First Threshold (this New World we are entering) illustrated [we see the majesty of the prairies].

11. Foreshadow of the adventure ["Indians are nothing but thieves and beggars"].

12. Hero arrives at the First Threshold. It is foreboding, dangerous and unwelcoming. But the Hero sees value there. There is resistance to entering [the Joker won't stay; John Dunbar has to pull a gun on him].

13. There is no way back [the