The Last of the Mohicans (1992): An Analysis

A review of the dramatic and historical aspect of Michael Mann's film, based on the James Fenimore Cooper classic.
This film falls under Fair Use as part of Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107 for purposes of criticism and education.
WARNING: CONTAINS SOME VIOLENT SCENES.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• native americans
• french and indian wars
• daniel day-lewis
• madeline stowe
• wes studi
• russell means

[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.

[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!

[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

[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