The Last of the Mohicans

I've been trying to find this version for some time and finally acquired this quasi-bootleg copy. The film is out of print so this is what I had to resort to. In any case, it is a pretty good attempt to visualize Cooper's great novel which takes place in 1757 in upstate New York. The British are fighting the French for control of this part of the New World. Col. Munro is to go to Fort Henry to defend the territory from the French and their allies, the Huron. His daughters have just arrived from England and are to accompany him.Munro's Indian guide, Magua (Bruce Cabot) takes the two daughters and Major Heyward (Henry Wilcoxin) via a "short trail". Heyward also has eyes for Alice (Binnie Barnes). Another ally of the Brits is Hawkeye (Randolph Scott) and his two Mohawk companions, Chingachgook and his son Uncas. They know Magua to be untrustworthy so follow them while Munro and his main force trudge onward to the Fort.Eventually the daughters with Hawkeye's help reach the Fort, but it is under siege from the French and the Huron. There are a couple chaste romantic subplots worth mentioning. Alice eventually casts off Heyward and his strict military manner for Hawkeye. Cora (Heather Angel) and Uncas (Phillip Reed) become an item prior to their tragic end. This film shows its age, but the story holds up. The sets were sometimes on location in California's Big Bear Park which gives some of the action authenticity. The acting from the main characters is very good, but the bit players not so much. Caucasians are used for the 3 lead Indian roles, but others are used as extras.I don't usually comment about the quality of DVD's unless there is something special. First off, the picture of the brown case is not what comes with the DVD. This DVD appears to be copied on a DVD-R from a VHS tape. The picture, while grainy and unstable in places, is watchable. A couple scenes change tint and sound abruptly, apparently where splicing occurred. Occasionally you can see a light greenish tint on the left side of the picture along with noticeable tape mis-alignment. This isn't as bad as it sounds but is sometimes what you get with an out of print film. This excellent story is nowhere near the grand Michael Mann film version from 1992, but is certainly better than other attempts I've seen. Criterion, we need you.

It is so thrilling to at last see a restored version of the most imitated cinema "Last of the Mohicans" to date. Despite a withering review of Cooper's work done by Mark Twaine no less, this is the one film version that will drive youths to seek out the other Pathfinder works by this chronicleer of Indian romance. It captures completely the rugged individualism and independence of mind of the American patriot. In the novel, Cooper spends a great deal of time on man/nature contemplations and indian lore that get lost when undertaken by contemporary directors looking for a new spin on a classic storyline.Randolph Scott was handsomely made for this part, so virile and stout-minded in this part guaranteeing film immortality in this role as 'Hawkeye',with flashes of Errol Flynn mannerisms throughout. The staging of battle scenes and excellent editing keeps pace with the action that only slows for subliminal character touches. The casting, if you will excuse the studio use of Bruce Cabot as Magua and other non-indian portrayals, is exceptional, particularly Binnie Barnes and her devoted beau played most ably by Henry Wilcoxon(The Crusades,Antony & Cleopatra and Caddyshack). Others can re-tell the plot, but I must remark on the extraordinary sensitive repartee between the British officers and the colonialists that probably sealed our attachment to our mother country a few years later in WWII. Even between opposing generals, Montcalm or Webb, the officers speak nobly and eloquently at close quarters. At the end of day, the savage beast of man is the enemy in this classic tale of treachery, betrayal, minutes-to-spare escapes and captures on foot or canoe. (recent Cooper research has this tale more probable than fiction)No one looked better than Randolph Scott in his leathered gear and distinctive coonskin cap in Big Bear country. When you read Cooper's works you get the added treat of learning the French names for Uncas(le coerf agile/Running Deer)and Hawkeye (le long carabine) and how they came to be; as well as other nuggets. This is a truly great adventure story for any lad who wants to tread quietly the hallowed corridors of the forest.

I liked it. It helped me understand a historical setting for the fiction. It helped me understand the French and Indians vs the English before the Revolutionary war and the natural tie to the battle of Yorktown.I liked it. It reminded me of the universal appeal to the black song "I'd rather die than be a slave." In this fiction, an English woman would rather die than be an Indian squaw. Militant black Americans who have no appreciation of our shared heritage of struggle should see this movie and join together with whites to understand what happened to the aboriginals on this continent. Indians think the land belongs to the power over everything, but under the Catholic doctrine of discovery, mimicked by five countries in Europe, Indians were pushed off their land in favor of English law, which had no jurisdiction before the globe and certainly not in Indian territory (the USA before it was the USA). The blacks were slaves and did not participate, but 250 years later, their descendents are the beneficiaries. In short, the preamble to the Constitution for the USA applies to blacks and they need to work with everyone to establish A Civic People of the United States. Sorry to preach, but I see most art in light of A Civic People but feel ability to influence only this country. Existing treaties and my ignorance make it difficult for me to comment on how Indians can be of A Civic People of the United States, but I am studying.The more recent movie with Daniel Day-Lewis is fabulous!

Pure entertainment no BS Different times Just enjoy it and don't be so critical .Yes a little bit of history there was such a real thing in the time of the early colonies and before the revolutionary war called the French and Indian War for control of the land of the Americas.

I saw this film as a youngster and I never forgot it, I saw the remake and was very disappointed, the people who made it left out half the story, although the used the script for this film, to see a favourite like this after so many years is very enjoyable

Great movie I already own but bought this as a Christmas present for my Brother. I think it is about time this was released on region 2 as it is a classic. If you like the Daniel Day Lewis version you will like this one,

Good film version of a very famous novel. I hadn't known about it and enjoyed it. Well worth watching a few times.

good although could have made clearer that this was not PAL

was very glad to get my hands on this one ......first class