John Dunbar is the main character in the film Dances with Wolves, portrayed by Kevin Costner. He is a Union soldier during the American Civil War who becomes disillusioned with the conflict. Seeking a new purpose, he volunteers to be stationed at a remote outpost in the western frontier, where he encounters the Lakota Sioux tribe. As Dunbar spends time with the Lakota, he learns their ways and forms deep connections with them. His journey transforms him from a soldier into a bridge between cultures, highlighting themes of understanding, friendship, and the clash of civilizations in 19th-century America.