The Last of the Mohicans (1992): An Analysis

[rvh1946]

Many of the flaws wrongly attributed to the screen writers originate in Cooper's novel. Then the screenwriters go ahead and change many of the relationships and plot lines. For a better appreciation, read the novel, then view (if you can find it) the version of LOTM that aired on PBS about 30 years ago. It was mostly shot indoors, but the relatiionships and ideas shine through.

[tarafoundation]

@rvh1946 The screenwriters changed a few superficial elements, but essentially stuck to the plot points of the novel. It's the film I'm analysing, not other adaptations.

[rvh1946]

@tarafoundation It wasn't my intentuion to challenge your analysis. To the contrary, I enjoyed it. My purpose was to enhance it. Many of your criticisms reflect the changes to the characters and plot lines are far more than just superficial. Many of the concepts you find lacking in the movie are present at least to some extent in the novel. It is possible to trim and rework an epic novel and come up with a worthwhile film, such as Ivanhoe or Quo Vadis. LOTL doesn't cut it.

[GrainneMhaol]

@rvh1946 I agree. I think the part of the problem lies in the writers being too faithful to the 1936 screenplay, on which it was partly based. It reflects a lot of the its values and, try as it might, finds it hard to break free from the older, enlightened attitudes to Native Americans. Taking a fresh approach instead of slavishly sticking to beloved scenes and plot developments might have helped matters.

[Andre4OOO]

but 5:37 was fun ^^.

[Andre4OOO]

IT S A  MOVIE !!!!

And actually a pretty good one .

What you are doing,

is like criticizing a child for being childish.

[chev39rsh]

....almost since the beginning of story telling .....that is how this should have started..

Story telling is an art form NOT a historically accurate depiction....the use of cliche is essential to creating parameters without large explanations. Hollywood is NOT the first or the last of the butcher's of reality in favor of SELLING romance, excitement and predictable villains.......it is after all how money is made...and it did very well indeed.

[democratichypocrit]

Doesnt anyone know the difference between history and entertainment? God you take this shit serious when it is all about making money.

In case any of you didnt know, this was entertainment. It exists not to dictate history but to make money

[matthewebray]

as flawed as this film is, I think the thesis of this video is childish, pointed and rooted in petty inaccurate accounts of history. Cooper's novel as well as the last 20 min of this film are far more sophisticated & subtle than you allude to. Mr. Studi's subtle performance is a testament to him and is able to make us feel for a "villainous" character not a flaw. Also this story depicts an underrepresented part of history, the sophistication of native people in during this point in history.

[tarafoundation]

@matthewebray 'I think the thesis of this video is childish, pointed and rooted in petty inaccurate accounts of history'.

Kindly elaborate.

[SuperGggirl]

WOW way to ruin an awesome movie. You are truly hilarious. Really I love your style lol

[PaxAmericana24]

I for one loved this analysis. Likewise, I think the movie was well done. It's always good to hear what other people have to say based on their own observations. There were several points here that legitimately made me laugh out loud. The bus part nearly killed me.

[fishhead00]

This was an awesome movie. Your analysis makes me want to vomit.

[awesomekids05126]

no wonder y u dont have subscribers u talk bout geography so u suck! and so does geography

[ShawDAMAN]

Wow i agree with your analysis almost entirely. I thought it was really a rather poor film in all honesty save some beautiful visuals. Above average cast in competence but it's a very strange, disjointed, almost impressionistic take on the book that fabricated among other things a weak and undeveloped romance because...because.. why? Because they were two attractive people and naturally there had to be a love story? Shame on you writers. The characters were all far more interesting in the book.

[mayzin100]

It is also interesting to note that Michael Mann went to great lengths to ensure that the Native American languages used in the film were actual languages and not just mere random syllables. Because Huron and Mohican are extinct languages, they used the closely related Delaware language for the Mohican dialogues and for Huron, Mike Philips (Huron Sachem) spoke in his native Mohawk while Wes Studi in his native Cherokee both of which belong to the same language family as the extinct Huron.

[tarafoundation]

@mayzin100 They went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that everything looked correct - even going so far as to cut down a forest in order to build Fort William Henry and drain a swamp to shoot the massacre of the survivors. I wish they had done something a little more interesting with the story though - even if it would have meant straying even further from the book.

[mayzin100]

Chingachgook, Uncas, Alice and Magua should and could have played a much greater role in the film rather than making the plot fixated so heavily on Hawkeye and Cora. However,thrusting those 4 'peripheral' characters (Chingy,Uncas,Alice and Magua) to suddenly play a central role in those epic climatic scenes, polished by the great acting talent of Wes Studi and Jodhi May in particular, and that beautiful Gaelic music is what made those final scenes on the Promentory and the film so memorable.

[tarafoundation]

@mayzin100 Verisimilitude be damned - Uncas should have made it!

[LostBoyRebel]

are you Irish?

[tarafoundation]

@LostBoyRebel Yes.

[LostBoyRebel]

@tarafoundation its a great movie, im always addicting to watching the end

[GergelyMA]

08:00 "Who are these people?" Do you really think there are only soldiers in a fort? Your video is tooo long for explaining all your questions. You have two problems: 1. You are to close to your mic. 2.: You judge this action movie as a documentary. And one question: did you read the book?

[tarafoundation]

@GergelyMA 08:00 "Who are these people?" Do you really think there are only soldiers in a fort?

No, but usually there aren't men with baseball caps and loudspeakers. Perhaps they arrived on the buses.

[marvelfreakable]

7:53 lol the buses would of helped

[MrCrunchybizzle]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'm glad someone also realized this movie sucked. What you said about Natives is very true. the only problem I have is your facts about 18th century firearms. I think you should find some more accurate facts. Otherwise the sentiment was very true! they did some rediculous things with the weapons of the era. this film is not a good representation of history. Unless you consider costuming only. And plus as a movie it was dumb. you said it the best. well done.

[tarafoundation]

@MrCrunchybizzle "the only problem I have is your facts about 18th century firearms. I think you should find some more accurate facts."

Can you be more specific?

[MrCrunchybizzle]

@tarafoundation I'd like to know the source of "In fact no more than one half of one percent of ordinary musket shots reach their target". I don't want to to defend this movie. What you suggested about the shooting feats is very true. My only concern is that it might be a point of attack. I think you could prove the same point with statistics that are more generous to muskets and also more specific. Your statement says nothing about range, size of target, or setting.

[tarafoundation]

@MrCrunchybizzle That comes from "Gunpowder: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World" by Jack Kelly. While it is true that rifling corrected much of the spin of the ball in flight and improved accuracy - rifles were still incredibly slow until the advent of breech loading weapons. The danger of the powder clogging the muzzle made reloading very difficult, and without the help of telescopic sights, it would be impossible to perform Hawkeye's magical feats at that distance.

[4295eye]

So let me get this straight this review is done by an irish woman. Who with every plebeian comment made show how much she doesn't know or understand about this film or the history of the time. The only ppl who should make a review on a film such as this or the patriot should be one who is scholastically achieved and has a great comprehension of these ppls and times. Not someone whose ancestors came over here by the thousands and helped in the genocide of native ppl.

[tarafoundation]

@4295eye I am happy to discuss the historical issues raised in this video with sincere people. However, your comment is redolent of nothing more than xenophobia and trolling.

[oliverscott2007]

After seeing this, I would love to know what you think of 'The Patriot' a movie which also distorts history, pulls dumb cliches, acts very irresponsibly with certain character choices and has action fight scenes which make those seen in LOTM seem entirely believable.

1 man and 2 boys wiping out about 20 red coats with Mel Gibson's character pulling outrageous stunts that would get you killed and somehow having incredible accuracy with a piston at a 20 foot distance.

[tarafoundation]

@oliverscott2007 Great idea! I'd love to get my teeth into that one.

[oliverscott2007]

Excellent analysis. What makes the film work for me is the music, particularly with the Irish dance variation in that last sequence you praised. Indeed, that final sequence is so great I go along with it despite the action movie style orientated fighting. Forget about shooting 2 Muskets while running and jumping indeed!

The portrayal of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm authorizing the slaughter was indeed very irresponsible. There was no reason to distort history, Magwa'a quest for vengeance was enough

[equsnarnd]

This reviewer has issues!

[tarafoundation]

@equsnarnd The issues are detailed in the video. Would you like to respond to them?

[MohawkJV]

This review illustrates a few good points, but I give it an F...Someone needs to read up on the primary sources from the period. But above all, its a film based upon an early book. At least they didn't use Italians running around teepees in western headdress!

[GrainneMhaol]

@MohawkJV Someone needs to read up on the primary sources from the period.

Can you elaborate?

[tarafoundation]

@MohawkJV I'm not sure I understand your criticism. Primary sources were generally skewed to an English bias, which is why I combined these sources with modern historical analysis. As for your second point, are we supposed to ignore some of the egregious errors because they got some of the cosmetic issues right?