Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #381 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Last of the Mohicans is a large-scale adventure set during the colonial conflicts between Britain and France 20 years before the American War of Independence. Based loosely on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper, but actually inspired by director Michael (Manhunter, Heat) Mann's boyhood love of the 1936 film of the same name, this is rousing, romantic stuff. As "Hawkeye", a white raised by the last of the Mohican tribe, Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a performance which, had he followed it up, could have established him as an action hero for the 1990s and beyond. Despite an under-written role Madeline Stowe convinces as the heroine. The remaining cast are uniformly excellent. Filmed amid the spectacular mountains, rivers and forests of North Carolina by Mann's regular cinematographer, Dante Spinotti, the film is a visual joy, while Trevor Jones' majestic, spine-tingling score (with additional music by Randy Edleman) is one of the finest of the decade. Taking time to establish the motives of British and French colonists and the various native tribes, as well as the varying opinions and characters within these groupings, Mann offers much greater balance and complexity than The Patriot (2000), yet never looses sight of the object here: telling a stirring yarn laced with bold action set pieces and passionate romance.

On the DVD: The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is a massive improvement over VHS, but still shows considerable grain in many scenes, possibly a result of the film being shot in low, natural light and containing many very dark sequences. The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is very powerful, though little use is made of the rear channels, and in some scenes the sound effects all but drown out the dialogue. Isolated scores are usually only found on feature-packed special editions, so the inclusion here is a welcome surprise--and a testament to its popularity. The only other extra is an anamorphic 2.35:1 presentation of the immensely stirring theatrical trailer. --Gary S Dalkin

Synopsis
Cora (Madeleine Stowe) and her younger sister, Alice (Jodhi May), both recent arrivals to the colonies, are being escorted to their father, Colonel Munro (Maurice Roeves), by a troop of British soldiers. Along the way they are ambushed by a Huron war party led by Magua (Wes Studi), a sinister warrior with a blood vendetta against Munro. Munro's soldiers are wiped out and Cora herself is nearly killed by Magua but is saved at the last moment by Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), a white trapper raised by the Mohican tribe. Hawkeye promises to take Cora and her sister safely to their father, and along the way Cora and the intense Hawkeye fall in love. Together they must survive wilderness, war, and the relentless pursuit of Magua.
Returning to the theme of a great love threatened by overwhelming circumstances, director Michael Mann hits the mark with an adaptation that captures the essence of the book and its historical details perfectly. Day-Lewis and Stowe are beautiful to watch, delivering moving performances as two people trying to hold on to each other in times of war. In addition, the Native American political activist Russell Means makes an oustanding film debut as Chingachgook, Hawkeye's adopted father and last of the Mohicans.

Customer Reviews

Amazing
This is one of my all time favourite movies. Great mix of acting, action,drama,audio,and video all wrapped around a superb story.
Don't get the director's cut, the original is almost perfect.
I'm still of the belief that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The theatrical release wasn't broke.
I just found out that the original was available in the UK and ordered it, because it is not available in North America. Review is from Canada.

Astonishingly good
Director Michael Mann (The Insider, Heat, Miami Vice) injects the entire story of The Last of the Mohicans with a sense of immediacy and scenic majesty. In the opening scene for example, he uses no dialogue for several lengthy minutes, and instead utilizes the scenery and score to draw us immediately into the story.

Based on the well-known 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper, this historical epic features a wide-sweeping story that encompasses a major event in Early American history. It also takes a more intimate look at a group of characters brought together by circumstance.

Michael Mann has directed only a handful of films in the past decade, so his name is hardly mentioned among the ranks of premier Hollywood directors. However, each of these three films stands as one of the best films of its respective year. Last of the Mohicans also utilizes his abilities to direct believable emotional drama in almost any situation. While the love story probably happens too fast and is a bit far-fetched, he makes it feel real.

The success of this film relates directly to the immense talents of its impressive cast. Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe are impressive; Wes Studi and Russell Means are excellent.

It surprises me to hear film lovers whom I respect describe Last of the Mohicans as boring, dull, and uninteresting. I find it impossible not to be drawn into this sweeping adventure even after repeated viewings. The story told here is universal, and speaks about love, honor, and family. The action occurs at a ferocious pace through numerous well edited scenes, and the melodic score carries the story to a higher level.

Hauntingly beautiful and with a great soundtrack...
It distorted somewhat (for the better) the original novel (which is a "classic" but quite difficult to read due to the contrived prose).
The exteriors are one of the best ever in a production of adventure&action films and the cast is PERFECT.

It is a savage land which makes for a sad and cruel "natural" story, after all it is untamed territory and the characters live dangerously.

The soundtrack is a must and contribute to the atmosphere like a close fitting glove.

One of my favorite period films. The action sequences are well directed and the use of weapons seems REAL.

Highly recommended as a very good film.

ADB