THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
US, 1992, 112 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, Wes Studi, Maurice Roeves, Patrice Chereau, Terry Kinney, Pete Postlethwaite, Colm Meaney, Dylan Baker.
Directed by Michael Mann.
The Last of the Mohicans is a fine western – although, it is set in the more eastern states prior to the American War of Revolution. It is based on the famous novel by James Fenimore Cooper – but director Michael Mann has taken only the key elements and characters and developed another story.
There have been several versions of The Last of the Mohicans, a silent version, a 1936 version with Randolph Scott and a telemovie from the 1970s with Steve Forrest.
The film highlights the history of the period – the clashes between the British and the French, the rise of the Americans and their wanting to overthrow British domination. It also focuses more positively on the native American Indians.
Daniel Day Lewis is very strong in the central role of Hawkey. After his Oscar-winning performance in My Left Foot, he appeared in this film and put on a great deal of weight to give an image of strength. After this he lost his weight to play the very aristocratic New York society hero in Martin Scorsese’s Age of Innocence. Other films in more recent times for Day Lewis include The Crucible, The Ballad of Jack and Rose and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. There is a strong supporting cast with Madeleine Stowe and Jodhi May as two sisters under Hawkey’s protection. Character actors like Wes Studi portray the rebel Indian, Patrice Chereau (celebrated French director of such films as Intimacy) plays the French general. There are a number of cameos by prominent British actors like Pete Postlethwaite and Colm Meaney.
The film is beautiful to look at, is well written, moves with an exciting pace especially in its climax.
The film was directed by Michael Mann who began his work in television, made the award-winning telemovie, The Jericho Mile in the late 70s. His films include Thief and the first version of Hannibal Lector on screen, Manhunter. During the 1980s he also created the television series Miami Vice. Other films include Heat, Ali, Collateral Damage and a big-screen version of Miami Vice.
1. The impact of the film? As entertainment, as spectacle, as history? The atmosphere of war? The American frontiers? The colonial period? The presence of the French, the British? The role of the native American Indians? Of the American settlers?
2. The status of the novel by James Fenimore Cooper, the various film versions?
3. The Carolina locations, the beauty of nature, rugged? The portrayal of the fort?
4. The action sequences, pursuits, battles? Pace, editing? Musical score?
5. The portrait of a violent American world, the 18th century? Hunting (and prayer), massacres, wars, ambushes, sieges, war parties? The ethos of the time? Loyalty to the crown of England and disloyalty? The territorial ambitions of the French? The role of the Indians and their being dominated by the settlers?
6. Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye, his background, his parents, his being received by the Mohawks? Father and brother? The language, religion? The bridge, the hunt? The Camerons? Webb and Major Heyward? Hawkeye as a guide? The ambush? His having to accompany Cora and Alice? The severity of the Munros? The colonials leaving, the prison? Hawkeye and his relationship with Cora? The messenger, the shooting of the attackers, the leaving of the fort? The ambush and his saving people? The episode with the canoe, the waterfall? The camp and the substitution? Heyward, the conflict with Magua, Magua and Alice? The end and the future?
7. The picture of the Indians, the Mohawks, Hurons? The scouts? Magua, rebel? The massacre and scalps? The Hurons and the chief? Burnings? Magua and the final confrontation? The Indians in the 18th century?
8. The picture of the colonials, their farms, ordinary lives and work? The Camerons, the meal, their deaths? Defending the colonials?
9. The British and the French, their political attitudes and ambitions? The uniforms, the old world of Europe? Wanting to expand empire? Attitudes towards the Indians? Sieges, a surrender? The build-up to 1776?
10. Major Heyward, the stiff British officer? His relationship with Cora? Loyalty to the crown, beliefs? Death? Webb? Munro and command, surrender and death?
11. Cora as a strong heroine, her relationship with her sister, her family? The experiences on the farm, in the travel? Heyward and the relationship? Hawkeye and his guidance, falling in love? Alice and her character? The moon, the Indians? Magua – and death?
12. Magua as the rogue Indian, scout, relationship to the chief? His death and the response of the Mohawks?
13. The re-creation of period, the portrait of the land, the portrait of the Indians and their way of life and change, the portrait of the settlers and their colonising, the portrait of the army? America in the 18th century?
