The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Directed by:  Michael Mann

Screenplay by:  Michael Mann & Christopher Crowe

Based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper

Starring:  Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Wes Studi

Plot:  Set in the year 1757, the last three members of a Native American tribe becomes caught in the middle of the French and Indian War as they attempt to protect the daughters of a British Colonel. 

Review:  It’s hard for me not to be biased in this review.  I’m generally in love with any film that is directed by Michael Mann.  Not only is he the creator of my all time favorite film Heat (aka “The Greatest Film of All Time”) but he also never ceases to keep his works grounded in atmospheric reality, regardless of story, genre, or period.  Is it any different with this film?  Nay.

This film completely stands out as a modern classic, joining elements of rousing adventure and romance with grounded story telling and filmmaking techniques, making it, in this reviewer’s eyes, one of a kind. 

The sweeping cinematography, beautiful locations, and grandiose action assist the viewer in completely being entranced and accepting the film as reality.  Moving at a steady pace, it never really slows, keeping conflict and the stakes in constant focus.  The set pieces feel realistic and legitimate, the numerous supporting characters add to the epic nature, and the music (scored partly by Trevor Jones and partly by Randy Edelman … truly phenomenal.  In fact, this movie could succeed fairly well with a different score solely based on previous aspects listed, but it wouldn’t nearly have the efficacy and grandeur. 

Taking place in 1757, we see an America still in development, with a wilderness that no longer exists, tragically along with various Native tribes (including the titular Mohicans).  Not only is this setting unique, but the main characters including Hawkeye (Daniel Day Lewis), and, by adoption, his father Chingachgook (Russell Means) and brother Uncas (Eric Schweig), create a fresh and interesting dynamic; the latter two are blood relatives, and Hawkeye is not, nor is he native. 

This adds to the interesting conflicts and duplicitous nature within the epic; how all these various groups can and cannot get along.  We have settlers fighting to live their own lives, English fighting French, and native Americans fighting either for revenge in the case of the antagonist Magua, or more generally just to survive.  Evoking what ostensibly were major issues of those times, we see politics and real issues come into play in the subtext, without being overstated or commandeering the story, making a for a welcoming and complex experience.  We also can find some way, if at all possible, to understand the plight of the Native Americans with the unstoppable invasion by immigrants.  They are hard struck to find a choice or answer in regards to living the way they had for centuries.  As a Huron war chief puts effectively in the third act, “What are the Huron to do?”

"Dad's always constapated and sooo sloow... CMON!"

Other aspects of the film excel as well; acting seems to be obviously fantastic, with Daniel Day Lewis at the helm.  One may doubt his talent in an action piece, based on previous works (Room With A View, My Left Foot) but after viewing his total submersion into the Hawkeye character, there is no doubt.  Just as well, the action set pieces are clearly planned and executed, with a vivid geographical sense at play, so we know where everything occurs. 

Based on a book by James Fenimore Cooper, the film is adept and able in keeping with the rousing and adventurous nature while including complexity (the book is rather simplistic in its plot and description of Native peoples).  There was also a previous film made in the 1930s, of which I have not yet seen.  I imagine it to be similar in some regard to the subject of this review.  However, I cannot imagine either to be as exciting, entertaining, dramatic, rousing, romantic, and epic as Michael Mann’s version; truly an amazing vision of adventure you can take seriously.