Who can forget the haunting music, the breathtaking view of the North Carolina mountain ranges, the period costumes, the revetting performances and the plot twists? Some may not recall this movie shown in 1992 but I sure can. I’m referring to the underrated, forgotten but cinematic masterpiece, The Last of the Mohicans.
I have watched this movie maybe a dozen times and I am captivated each time. This movie is an adaptation of a book by James Fenimore. Though, the title alone may want you to roll your eyes and dismiss it as one of the boring period films you watched in the past, you have to see it and find out that this is indeed different. This is a movie that captures your attention, moves you, makes you want to fall in love again. It also shows the dark side of human nature. In this case, someone’s quest for revenge.
The movie is about the love story of Hawkeye, adopted white son of Chingachook of the Mohican tribe, and Cora Munro, daughter of a British General during the French and British War. Hawkeye and Cora, so different in background meet in a very difficult time. They will fall in love and will have this love tested in a time of war. There are also sub-plots in the movie which give it more depth like the silent attraction between Hawkeye’s brother, Uncas, and Cora’s sister, Alice, the unrequited love of Duncan, Cora’s suitor, and Magua’s quest for revenge against the British.
It all started when the Munro sisters and their escorts were ambushed by a band of Native Indians. The brothers, Hawkeye and Uncas, and their father Chingachook later saved them. The three were traveling to Kentucky to get away from the French and British war in the New World. Duncan, who accompanied the sisters, was outraged upon learning their lack of participation in defending the English colony. This will start the conflict between him and Hawkeye that will intensify as he fights for Cora’s affection.
Meanwhile, they will travel together to escort the sisters to Fort William Henry where the sisters’ father was. From them, Colonel Munro’s army will learn that no reinforcements will be coming and he might soon consider surrendering to the French. And while the cannons wreak destruction and troops scramble to defend it, a love between Cora and Hawkeye will unfold. However, this newfound love will be tested early, as Hawkeye will be arrested for treason. He feeds some of the men in the fort to defend their land and families from the invading French army. He will be ordered hanged for treason in spite of Cora’s adamant protestations. The fort will fall to the French and as the British head back to England, Indians armed by the French will massacre them. During the chaos, Hawkeye with his brother and father will rescue the sisters again.
A pursuit led by Magua, a revengeful Indian will follow them along the rivers, waterfalls and mountains ranges. Unfortunately, the search party will start closing in on them and Hawkeye will face a hard decision to surrender the sisters. He believes they would not be killed and will be brought to the Indian elders first as a prize. Once there, he will negotiate their release. With the powerful waterfalls as a backdrop, a touching scene between the lovers will ensue as Hawkeye encourages Cora to "Stay alive, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you."
As the brothers scale the mountains to save the sisters, the tragic events occur leading to the ultimate sacrifice to Duncan for Cora and the untimely death of Uncas and Alice. Chingachook will give the final deathblow to Magua and the movie ends with him, Hawkeye and Cora on the mountain cliffs saying their final prayers for Uncas and Alice. It is a fitting finale for a romantic, violent yet moving period movie.
Daniel Day Lewis gives a powerful performance as Hawkeye while the beautiful Madeleine Stowe as Cora gives her character a feisty interpretation. The film’s script is cohesive and it has great cinematography. Director Michael Mann seems to be very hands-on in this project since he co-wrote the script and executive produced the movie’s soundtrack. I love its soundtrack even if it’s mostly instrumental with the only exception of Clannad’s soulful I Will Find You. The music conducted by Randy Edelman with a great orchestra brings you back to different significant scenes in the movie, adding more drama and suspense in them. Overall, it gave the movie its distinct signature sound.
I give this film the tribute it deserves because in spite of being a period movie with many elements like locations and costumes, the characters still looked real. In its unlikely time period, we can still see beautiful human facets like love, self-sacrifice and chivalry, that seems so foreign in these days. The movie does not only paint a rosy picture of humanity but also it savagery, its thirst for revenge, and its deceit. Somehow, the movie has intertwined these two conflicting parts of human nature. Because it is true, humans can be a contradiction. They can be capable of so much love and they can also be the cause of so much suffering. And how can love bloom in a time of so much hate and revenge? It’s remarkable how the filmmakers intersperse love and tragedy in the film. There may be graphic scenes especially during the killings but I still consider it a romantic movie. If you believe that love is worth-waiting for them this movie will make you want to wait for that someone who will find you no matter how long it takes, no matter how far.