Early America: The Last Of The Mohicans
The last members of a dying Native American tribe, the Mohicans -- Uncas (Eric Schweig), his father Chingachgook (Russell Means), and his adopted half-white brother Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) -- live in peace alongside British colonists. But when the daughters (Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May) of a British colonel are kidnapped by a traitorous scout, Hawkeye and Uncas must rescue them in the crossfire of a gruesome military conflict of which they wanted no part: the French and Indian War.
At review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes the film has a "Certified Fresh" rating of 93% based on reviews from 45 critics, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The site's consensus states: "The Last of the Mohicans is a breathless romantic adventure that plays loose with history -- and comes out with a richer action movie for it."
The film does an incredible job of showing the brutal conditions Native Americans and early settlers of the United States endured as colonialist powers fought over different jurisdictions throughout.
The film boasts a remarkably strong cast, with one standout performance coming from the renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis. His portrayal in the film is nothing short of remarkable, a testament to his exceptional talent and versatility as an actor. Day-Lewis, famous for his iconic role in "There Will Be Blood," delivers a captivating performance that adds depth and authenticity to the film's narrative. His ability to fully immerse himself in his characters is evident once again, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The contrast of the supposed civility of colonial leaders and troops along with their bright and shining colorful uniforms against the mostly undeveloped backdrop of the American northeast is striking. This can especially be seen in the scene in which a British fort is surrendered and handed over to the French. The ceremony and tradition is very much enforced throughout the diplomatic process.
The story is simple and very American, but it is tempered by the sadness of all of the native tribes as they in various ways come to grips with the idea that their way of life sooner or later is coming to an end. Some characters seek to fight for survival, while other tribal members try to use diplomacy to forestall the end. The Mohicans are resigned to their fate, which makes the progression of the film all the harder to watch.
The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes.
At the start of the war, the French colonies had a population of roughly 60,000 settlers, compared with 2 million in the British colonies. The outnumbered French particularly depended on their native allies.
The film takes place along this backdrop. An environment in which the provincial government, diplomatic relationships, and communal relationships between colonial leaders, colonial settlers, and Native Americans are constantly in flux and ever-changing to accommodate the extreme growth and development of society in the area.
Released in the United States on September 25, 1992, The Last of the Mohicans was met with positive reviews and commercial success during its box-office run. It won the Academy Award for Best Sound, the only Oscar won so far by a film directed by Mann. Day-Lewis received his second nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance.
