One difference between the film and reality is that in the film, attention is focused through central characters who represent the white world's side of events leading up to Wounded Knee. Eastman, a Sioux doctor educated at Dartmouth, and Elaine Goodale are shown in their activities to add benefit to Indians confined to reservation life. Senator Dawes and Grant debate how Indians should be treated, with Dawes going up against belligerent General William Tecumseh Sherman.

Another important focalizing character is Sitting Bull whose perspective adds much value, yet, quantitatively speaking, his is out numbered by the white characters and, thus, out-voiced by the white perspective. Paiute holy man Wovoka, the recipient of the holy prophesy resulting in the Ghost Dance, does a lot to balance the perspective. Yet in reality the Indian side of the situation ccarried as much weight and gravity as the white side; the appearance of equal importance and weight may not be as cinematographic though it was nonetheless present.

A difference between the film and the book is that in Dee's objective, unbiased presentation of fact from government documents and eye witness accounts there was no romanticized focus on two or three people working on the Indians behalf. Another is that the focalization is as much through the Indian perspective and through the white perspective. This difference of romantization in the film is only to be expected since Hollywood films do not purport to be rigidly historic (perhaps unless a documentary) and are at heart entertainment, though it is true that film can be an entertainment that enlarges awareness of important historical, political and social issues.