In this 1992 version of "The Last of the Mohicans", Day-Lewis plays a long-haired version of the Deerslayer--a white man raised by Mohican tribesmen. He and his adopted father and brother are reluctantly pulled into the battle between the Brits and French during the French-Indian War (also called the Seven Years War). This is because the Brits have no idea what they were doing in the war and so it's up to these three men to save the day...or at least rescue a couple women from certain death.
It is interesting to note that when the film began, it did NOT say it was based on the original James Fenimore Cooper story but on the 1936 version of "The Last of the Mohicans" (which starred Randolph Scott). Much as I hate to admit it, the original story is very difficult reading and the decision to 'spice it up' by changing the story around (such as killing off folks who survived in the original story) worked well--making for an exciting story. It also helped that the film was made on location in the Blueridge Mountains of North Carolina--providing nice scenery you couldn't get in the more stagy (but exceptional) 1936 version. And, to top it off, the musical score was quite rousing and complimented the story well. All in all, a very well done and enjoyable film.
It is interesting to note that when the film began, it did NOT say it was based on the original James Fenimore Cooper story but on the 1936 version of "The Last of the Mohicans" (which starred Randolph Scott). Much as I hate to admit it, the original story is very difficult reading and the decision to 'spice it up' by changing the story around (such as killing off folks who survived in the original story) worked well--making for an exciting story. It also helped that the film was made on location in the Blueridge Mountains of North Carolina--providing nice scenery you couldn't get in the more stagy (but exceptional) 1936 version. And, to top it off, the musical score was quite rousing and complimented the story well. All in all, a very well done and enjoyable film.