Year of Release: 1992
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, Wes Studi, Maurice Roeves, Patrice Chéreau, Terry Kinney, Tracey Ellis, Pete Postlethwaite
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:
Director Michael Mann started the 90s with this impeccable adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name. His previous directorial effort, the Thomas Harris adaptation of the book "Red Dragon", by the title of "Manhunter", while receiving good notices and reviews, flew somewhat under the radar. "The Last of the Mohicans" follows the story of Hawkeye, a native American, from the tribe of the Mohicans, who is in fact a white man who has been adopted by a native. Hawkeye, alongside his father, Chingachgook and his brother Uncas, find themselves directly involved in the British and French colonialist wars, when they save both daughters from a Colonel and some of the party that was accompanying them to a fort. As the Colonel negotiates with the French the terms of surrender, things take a dark turn, with old vendettas/resentments coming to the forefront, resulting in multiple deaths, and both women taken to a rival Native American tribe's locale. Hawkeye, who in the meantime has developed feelings for the older sister, Cora, goes in pursuit hoping to save her from a near certain death.
"The Last of the Mohicans" managed to further cement Michael Mann's reputation as a unique storyteller. The film deftly mixes a somewhat brutal and violent approach to the depiction of the strains of war, particularly the one taking place in the 18th century, with the potent veiled eroticism and romanticism that emerges between the characters of Hawkeye and Cora. That relationship, more so than the grueling aspects of war, really powers this narrative, and makes this adaptation all the more memorable (there had been 4 other previous adaptations of the book, ranging from the 20s through the 50s). The film takes its time in defining the relationships between its lead characters, while also enhancing the adventure aspects of the narrative, utilizing the natural beauty of the landscapes where it was shot (which in a way becomes almost a character in the film itself). It's a film that does bring back memories of the classic Hollywood adventures, but with a modernist stance and edge. The cast is uniformly great, led by the always fantastic Daniel Day-Lewis, with great turns from Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May and Steven Waddington. The cinematography from Dante Spinotti is stunning, as is the score from Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman. A solid film from a great director.
"The Last of the Mohicans" managed to further cement Michael Mann's reputation as a unique storyteller. The film deftly mixes a somewhat brutal and violent approach to the depiction of the strains of war, particularly the one taking place in the 18th century, with the potent veiled eroticism and romanticism that emerges between the characters of Hawkeye and Cora. That relationship, more so than the grueling aspects of war, really powers this narrative, and makes this adaptation all the more memorable (there had been 4 other previous adaptations of the book, ranging from the 20s through the 50s). The film takes its time in defining the relationships between its lead characters, while also enhancing the adventure aspects of the narrative, utilizing the natural beauty of the landscapes where it was shot (which in a way becomes almost a character in the film itself). It's a film that does bring back memories of the classic Hollywood adventures, but with a modernist stance and edge. The cast is uniformly great, led by the always fantastic Daniel Day-Lewis, with great turns from Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May and Steven Waddington. The cinematography from Dante Spinotti is stunning, as is the score from Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman. A solid film from a great director.
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