The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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navigation,
search The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992
historical epic film set in 1757 during the
French and Indian War and produced by
Morgan Creek Pictures. It was directed by
Michael Mann and based on
James Fenimore Cooper's
novel of the same name and
George B. Seitz's
1936 film adaptation, owing more to the latter than the novel. The film stars
Daniel Day-Lewis,
Madeleine Stowe, and
Jodhi May, with
Russell Means,
Wes Studi,
Eric Schweig, and
Steven Waddington in supporting roles.
The soundtrack features music by
Trevor Jones and
Randy Edelman, and the song "I Will Find You" by
Clannad. The main theme of the film is taken from the tune "The Gael" by
Scottish singer-songwriter
Dougie MacLean. Released on September 25, 1992, in the United States,
The Last of the Mohicans was met with nearly-universal praise from critics as well as being commercially successful during its box-office run.
PlotDuring the
French and Indian War in 1757,
Mohican Chingachgook (
Russell Means) with his sons,
Uncas (
Eric Schweig) and adopted
white Nathaniel Hawkeye (
Daniel Day-Lewis), visit the Cameron frontier household. Friend Jack Winthrop (Edward Blatchford) tells them he is gathering militia for the
British army.
General Webb agrees to grant the militia leave if their homes are attacked, in return for their reinforcement of
Colonel Edmund Munro (
Maurice Roëves) at
Fort William Henry. Newly arrived Major Duncan Heyward (
Steven Waddington) and native
Magua (
Wes Studi) are tasked with escorting Munro's daughters, Cora (
Madeleine Stowe) and Alice (
Jodhi May),
from Albany to their father at the fort. Duncan wishes to marry Cora,
but she professes friendship only. Magua leads the unsuspecting group
into an ambush by his
Huron war party. Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingachgook come across the attack as
Magua escapes and save Duncan, Cora and Alice, deciding to escort them
to the fort.
Along the way the Cameron home is found razed and its occupants murdered. The group arrive at the fort to find it
under siege by the French,
but manage to sneak in. Munro is surprised at his daughters’ arrival;
he had sent a letter to them warning them to stay away, but Magua had
schemed to reunite the family. The fort can only hold for three more
days, so a messenger is sent to General Webb for help. To Duncan's
chagrin, Cora and Hawkeye are drawn to each other, so he resentfully
denies to testify that the razing of the Cameron homestead was done by
an Ottawa war party. Munro, putting British interests first, therefore
refuses to let Jack and the militia leave to defend their homes. Hawkeye
secretly helps them escape anyway, but is arrested for sedition and
sentenced to hang despite Cora's pleas. The French General
Montcalm (
Patrice Chéreau) generously offers all in the fort safe passage to
Albany if they surrender and leave America never to fight there again. Munro
reluctantly accepts after Montcalm shows Webb’s intercepted message,
showing that no aid is forthcoming.
Magua berates Montcalm for making peace, revealing that his village
was destroyed and his children killed by Munro's troops, assisted by the
Mohawk; though he regained his freedom under Mohawk captivity, his wife
remarried believing he was dead. Montcalm, though intending to honor
the terms, is aware of the necessity of keeping his Indian allies
content and makes it clear that he would not mind if Magua were to deal
with the British on his own. The retreating British soldiers and their
families are ambushed by Magua's men. Magua traps Munro underneath his
fallen horse and cuts out Munro's heart from his living body, but not
before promising to kill Munro's daughters to extinguish his line.
Hawkeye, Cora, Alice, Uncas, Chingachgook, Duncan and a few others flee
in canoes across Lake George and down a river to a cave behind a
waterfall, but Magua and his men are soon upon them. For their safety,
Hawkeye urges Cora and her sister to submit if captured and promises he
will find them later, then leaps with his father and brother down the
waterfall. Magua takes Duncan and the two sisters to a Huron village.
Magua negotiates his captives’ fate with the
sachem when they are interrupted by the arrival of an unarmed Hawkeye. With
Duncan translating in French, Hawkeye convinces the chief that Magua is
acting for his own interests like the colonial powers, rather than for
the good of the tribe. The chief decides that Cora is to be
burned alive to atone for Magua's children, gives Alice to replace Magua’s wife so
that both bloodlines can continue and orders Duncan's return to the
British to placate them. Hawkeye is released in recognition of his
bravery, but pleads to take Cora’s place. Duncan deliberately
mistranslates, sacrificing himself instead so Hawkeye and Cora can
escape, whilst Magua curses the sachem and departs with Alice and his
men. From a safe distance, Hawkeye mercifully shoots Duncan as he is
burned alive.
Uncas, who had cared for Alice throughout, races ahead to intercept
Magua's band, killing several warriors before engaging Magua. Magua
kills him, then drops his body off the cliff. Rather than join Magua,
Alice follows Uncas by jumping to her death. Seeing this, an enraged
Hawkeye and Chingachgook set upon the Hurons and slay several.
Chingachgook kills Magua, avenging his son. After a ritual for Uncas
with Cora and Hawkeye, Chingachgook announces that he is the last of the
Mohicans.
Cast SoundtrackMain article:
The Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack) PropsMuch care was taken with recreating accurate costumes and props. American Bladesmith Society Master Bladesmith
Daniel Winkler made the
tomahawks used in the film and knifemaker Randall King made the knives.
[2] Wayne Watson is the maker of Hawkeye's "Killdeer" rifle used in the film.
LocationsDespite the film taking place in upstate
New York, according to the film credits, it was filmed mostly in the
Blue Ridge Mountains of
North Carolina. Locations used include
Lake James,
Chimney Rock Park and
The Biltmore Estate. Some of the waterfalls that were used in the movie include
Hooker Falls,
Triple Falls,
Bridal Veil Falls, and
High Falls located in the
DuPont State Forest. Another of these falls was
Linville Falls, in the mountains of North Carolina.
Reception and honorsThe Last of the Mohicans opened to general acclaim, with critics praising the film for its cinematography and music. Critic
Roger Ebert of the
Chicago Sun-Times called the film "...quite an improvement on Cooper's all but unreadable
book, and a worthy successor to the Randolph Scott version," going on
to say that "
The Last of the Mohicans is not as authentic and
uncompromised as it claims to be — more of a matinee fantasy than it
wants to admit — but it is probably more entertaining as a result."
[3] However, some reviewers panned the film, such as
The Washington Post's Desson Howe, who called the movie "glam-opera" and "the MTV version of gothic romance".
[4] Another reviewer,
The Washington Post's Rita Kempley, recognized the heavy drama, writing that the film "sets
new standards when it comes to pent-up passion", but commented
positively on the "spectacular scenery".
[5]The Last of the Mohicans is certified "Fresh" at the film site
Rotten Tomatoes, with a positive rating of 97% (34 reviews out of 35 counted fresh).
[6]The film won the
Academy Award for Best Sound (
Chris Jenkins,
Doug Hemphill,
Mark Smith,
Simon Kaye).
[7]American Film Institute recognition:</li>
Box officeThe film opened in the United States on September 25, 1992, in 1,856 theaters. It was the number 1 movie on its opening weekend.
[9][10] By the end of its first weekend
The Last of the Mohicans had generated $10,976,661, and by the end of its domestic run the film had made $75,505,856.
[1] It was ranked as the 17th highest grossing film of 1992 in the United States.
[11] See also References
- ^ a b "The Last of The Mohicans". Box Office Mojo. March 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Haskew, Mike (2006-09-01). "Star-Spangled Hawks Take Wing". 33. Blade Magazine. pp. 30–37.
- ^ Roger Ebert (September 25, 1992). "The Last of The Mohicans". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Desson Howe (September 25, 1992). "The Last of The Mohicans". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Rita Kempley (September 25, 1992). "The Last of The Mohicans". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes (March 18, 2007). "Freshness count". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "The 65th Academy Awards (1993) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains Nominees
- ^ "Weekend Box Office". The Los Angeles Times. 1992-10-06. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
- ^ Fox, David J. (1992-10-06). "Box Office Hasn't Seen the Last of 'Mohicans". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
- ^ "1992 Yearly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
External links[
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_the_Mohicans_%281992_film%29