No. 21 - The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

An epic adventure and passionate romance unfold against the panorama of a frontier wilderness ravaged by war.

Rated: R (Restricted) for bloody frontier battles and violence

Director and Screenwriter: Michael Mann; Screenplay: Christopher Crowe; based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, Wes Studi, Maurice Roëves

Movie Introduction:  The last three members of the once numerous Native American Mohicans include warrior Uncas (Schweig), his father Chingachgook (Means), and his adopted half-white brother Hawkeye (Day-Lewis). The forest-dwellers live peacefully among the colonist of early America, alongside both French and British troops. However, when the daughters (Stowe and May) of the British Col. Monroe (Roëves) are kidnapped by a traitorous scout, Magua (Studi), the Mohicans vow to rescue them. They quickly find themselves in the crossfire of a military conflict between the French, British and several Native American tribes.

Defining Moment: ambush in the forest

The French besiege the British Army at Fort William Henry. When the battle is won, the French General allows the British soldiers and families to leave the fort. This infuriates the Indian scout Magua because he was promised the head of British Colonel Munro. As the parade of British personnel enter the dark forest, they are ambushed by Magua and his hunting party. Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook fight their way out, taking Cora, Alice, Heyward, and a few British soldiers. This scene is intense and brutal. It gives immediate weight to the ruthlessness of Magua, and the capabilities of the films protagonists.

Something subtle you might have missed:  case Studi

Wes Studi shows up a lot in Dad's film lists. He often portrays a vicious Native American, at odds with white settlers. He was the Pawnee leader in Dances With Wolves (1990) and he played the title role in Geronimo: An American Legend (1993). One of my favorite roles was in a comedy. That's right, he was The Sphinx in 1999's Mystery Men, whose super-powers are cutting firearms in half with his mind, and, well, wielding phrase-twisting antimetaboles.

Memorable Quotes:

"When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know his seed is wiped out forever." - Magua

"You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you!" - Hawkeye

Dad's Review:

Good films about the American West were hard to come by in the 1990’s. That said, there are some really nice selections: Quigley Down Under (1990), Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992), Tombstone (1993) and The Quick and the Dead (1995).

The Last of the Mohicans is great for many reasons. It is a re-telling of the James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 classic novel. 

It is always a treat for me to see a film set in our country's history. The filmmakers went through extensive research and work to recreate historical accuracy. The film is rich with it - the weapons, the canoes, the fort, the Huron village. We really are transported to colonial America.

The British and French are cordially at war with each other over the new world. Caught in the middle are the Native Americans, who are looked upon as tokens - pawns to be used by both sides. Most of the settlers, those that have been living in and around the colonies, don't view the Natives as hostile. The two groups trade, live side by side and, to a degree, rely on each other. Hawkeye, who is half white, is accepted by both. 

At the center of this backdrop is Hawkeye's deep love for Cora. His involvement is only to keep her safe, as the world around them erupts into war.

The best scene is Hawkeye's appearance at the Huron village. He enters unarmed to parlay for the lives of Cora, her sister, and a British major. He makes a compelling argument against Magua. The village sachem (wise man) is impressed by Hawkeye's bravery, but his verdict is nonetheless ruthless. He divides up the sisters, Alice will be given to Magua, Cora will be burned alive. Hawkeye can leave in peace. The British major will be returned to the French. There's more, but I don't want to spoil it.

The scenery is spectacular, as is the musical score (which won an Oscar). Both are grand and beautiful. 

Onto No. 22... A Bunch of British Guys Acting Like Idiots