Michael Mann's epic period adventure is set in America in 1757, where the French and the English are fighting for power, with the help of the Huron and Mohican Native Americans respectively. Centre stage in the film is Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), the orphan of murdered settlers, who was raised by Mohicans, is torn between two cultures, and falls for Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe), the daughter of one of the British commanders.
Hawkeye and his companions Chinachgook (Russell Means) and Uncas (Eric Schweig) loosely ally themselves to the British and help them through enemy territory where the murderous Hurons, led by Magua (Wes Studi) lie in wait. Cora and her sister are captured in an ambush but then rescued, while a British fort under siege from the French requires reinforcements.
The film is spectacular to look at: the siege of the fort recalls Edward Zwick's magnificent Glory and some of the battles in the forests, while bloody, are equally stirring; but the two leads also provide a calm that gives balance to the whole. Sadly ignored for the Oscars (it won one for best sound), this is an almost flawless film.
Highly recommended.
The Last of the Mohicans is a Film programme that first aired in 1992 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
