Michael Mann's take on J. F. Cooper's famous novel stick to the original story and characters very nicely, and brings together a great cast for some great performances. Daniel Day Lewis, Russel Means and Madeleine Stowe get the leads, but I have to mention the stand-out performance from Wes Studi (as Magua) - stunning! The story takes place during the "French and Indian War" and centers around the ill-fated British Fort William Henry. It is about a young white man (Day-Lewis) who has been adopted into the Mohican tribe and is a member of the last Mohican family (headed by Means). Hawkeye, his father and brother, side with the English almost accidentally, and Lewis falls for a spirited daughter of the fort's pompous and authoritarian commander. The story is loaded with action, subtle and more powerful dialog, minor plot twists, and a penetrating analysis of cultural dissonance and conflict.
The love story, at times, is over-dramatized and allowed to distract from the story, but this minor problem is overlooked in this fine film.
The film features beautiful landscapes (many of which I recognize from hiking the Adirondacks), a strikingly interesting-looking and nicely talented cast, and a refreshingly Native American cast playing Native Americans. The cinematography is delicious, and aside from the minor directorial/editing issue mentioned above, this is one of the better directed versions of The Last of the Mohicans.
Recommended.
The love story, at times, is over-dramatized and allowed to distract from the story, but this minor problem is overlooked in this fine film.
The film features beautiful landscapes (many of which I recognize from hiking the Adirondacks), a strikingly interesting-looking and nicely talented cast, and a refreshingly Native American cast playing Native Americans. The cinematography is delicious, and aside from the minor directorial/editing issue mentioned above, this is one of the better directed versions of The Last of the Mohicans.
Recommended.