Last of the Mohicans Review

Last of the Mohicans — 

Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Michael Mann directed Last of the Mohicans, a thrilling modern version of the James Fennimore Cooper classic, packed with action and adventure.

The keynotes of Mann's superb production are action, drama, and great performances by one and all. Mann also emphasized the romance between the Deerslayer and Cora and bathed it in surround sound with a superb pulse-pounding score by Randy Edelman and Trevor Jones.

Set in 1757, Last of the Mohicans gives the viewer a good idea of some of the issues that caused the colonists to revolt against the mother country about twenty years later.

The story is from James Fennimore Cooper's novel of the same name. It concerns Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), a white raised by the Mohicans and his adoptive father Chingachgook (Russell Means) and brother Uncas (Eric Schweig). These three help the daughters of British Colonel Munro escape from their sworn enemies the Huron, who are supporting the French. Many exciting adventures befall the protagonists and the ending is bittersweet and compelling.

Daniel Day-Lewis is brilliant as the frontiersman Hawkeye; with great support from Russell Means (Chingachgook), and Eric Schweig (Uncas). These three form the nucleus of the story and are a treat to watch, especially old Chingachgook, as he demonstrates his wisdom time and again. Cora Munro is played by Madeleine Stowe, and her sister Alice by Jodhi May.

Heading the enemies is Magua, brought to life by Wes Studi in a career-making performance. Mann amped up the violence in comparison with most movies and some of it is so frightening it will make you turn away. Tying everything together is the hypnotically powerful score, presented in full surround sound.

The duplicity of the British and the French policies are well illustrated, playing colonists against the Indians and the various Indian tribes against each other. The great powers' fundamental disrespect for the New World is evident in the portrayals, and is a lesson we can all be mindful of today in dealing with others.

It was Mann's vision to bring the romance to the story which is an innovation, probably to get women to watch the movie. Anyway, it worked! Lots of women adore this movie.

The music is very compelling and recorded in surround sound. You'll want to turn this movie up! To complete the picture is some of the best color photography you'll see.

The Fox DVD is presented in 2.20:1 theatrical format and runs 112 minutes in the standard theatrical cut. There is a director’s expanded cut also available with a 125 minute running time and a Special Edition DVD that has the 12 extra scenes in the extra features.