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Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May ... see more see more... , Wes Studi , Steven Waddington , Maurice Roëves , Patrice Chéreau , Mac Andrews , Dylan Baker , Mark A. Baker , Dennis J. Banks , Sheila Adams Barnhill , Edward Blatchford , William J. Bozic Jr. , Thomas E. Cummings , Tracey Ellis , David Mark Farrow , Joe Finnegan , Patrick Fitzgerald , Ethan James Fugate , Curtis F. Gaston , Jared Harris , Clark Heathcliffe Brolly , Tim Hopper , Eric A. Hurley , Mark Joy , Steve Keator , Terry Kinney , Mark J. Maracle , Michael McConnell , Thomas John McGowan , Colm Meaney , Scott Means , Alice Papineau , Pete Postlethwaite , Justin M. Rice , Sebastian Roche , Eric D. Sandgren , David Schofield , Malcolm Storry , Don Tilley , Gregory Zaragoza , Michael Phillips , Benton Jennings , Bonnie Timmermann

Director Michael Mann based this lushly romantic version of the James Fenimore Cooper novel more on his memory of the 1936 film version (starring Randolph Scott) than on Cooper's novel (in fact, Phili... read more read more...p Dunne's 1936 screenplay is cited as source material for this film). Set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War, the story concerns Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis), the European-born adopted son of Mohican scout Chingachgook (Russell Means). Hawkeye and his party, which also includes the Mohican Uncas (Eric Schweig), joins up with a group of Britons who have recently arrived in the Colonies. The group consists of Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe) and her younger sister, Alice (Jodhi May), who are rescued from a Huron war party by Hawkeye. Hawkeye's band accompanies them to the British Fort William Henry, which is being besieged by a French and Huron force. The fort falls to the French, and Colonel Munro (Maurice Roeves) surrenders to French General Montcalm (Patrice Chéreau). The terms of the surrender are that the British merely abandon the fort and return to their homes. However, the French's bloodthirsty ally, the Huron warrior Magua (Wes Studi), has made no such agreement, and, as the British retreat from the fort, he plans to massacre them in a terrible Huron attack. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

182,039 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

35 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Michael Mann

Release Date: September 25, 1992

Keywords: action, epic, war, date, underrated

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DVD Release Date: November 23, 1999

Stats: 9,048 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (9,048)


  • February 18, 2012
    A classic story, but a very 90s cinema epic, with sweeping American vistas and a soul-filling grand celtic sounding orchestral soundtrack. Colonial America seemed like a very dog-eat-dog world and the screenplay fails to add more meaning to the characters' lives. It remains an en... read moreticing historical account though of the days of much more gentlemen-like wars. I can see its influence on later movies, particularly Jackson's LOTR (Hawkeye chasing Magua, chould easily be replaced by Legolas chasing the Orcs).
  • October 30, 2011
    The Last of the Mohicans is an adventurous and incredible action/drama that was worth seeing. The story taught me a lot about the French and Indian war and made me feel like I was there and that is the best kind of historical film. The cast is great, Daniel Day Lewis never fail... read mores and I just found them all to be incredible. The action scenes were also very fun to watch, and one of the highlights of the film. This movie was definently worth the watch, and had very few flaws with it.
  • May 29, 2011
    Director Michael Mann's vast canvas is normally urban with a keen eye for a sprawling cityscape. Here though, he shows his vision is just as effective when his surroundings are the sweeping forestry and mountain ranges of North America.
    1757, the French and British battle for co... read morentrol of North America in the French and Indian war. Travelling through these lands are mohawk 'Chingachgook' (Russell Means), his son 'Uncas' (Eric Schweig) and his adopted white son 'Hawkeye' (Daniel Day-Lewis). They want no part of the war but when they happen to become a rescue party to 'Cora' (Madeleine Stowe) and 'Alice' (Jodhi May) daughters of Scottish Colonel Edmund Munro (Maurice Roeves) they gradually become embroiled.
    During the making of this, Mann was forced by the studio to cut his +3 hour long film. Despite this, it still feels like the intended epic at just under two hours. That's thanks to his assured pacing, the beautiful cinematography and the stirring music combining to marvellous and rousing effect. It's a magnificent modern adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel brought vibrantly to the screen by Mann's skillful direction and his ability to stage superb action set-pieces. The quietly thrilling and powerful Shakespearean finale is something to behold and one of the most tragic, yet most satisfying endings you're ever likely to see. The acting is flawless throughout, with Day-Lewis delivering a charismatic central performance and despite having very little dialogue, Wes Studi is a standout as the native 'Magua', one of cinema's greatest villians.
    A sweeping epic with breathtaking cinematography, gripping action scenes and a rousing music score all coalescing for a kinetic and powerful romantic adventure. One of Mann's finest.
  • May 7, 2011
    There are things about this film that I like very much, and the overall experience is a pleasing one. There are some murky details here and there and I felt a bit disconnected from the emotion of the film, but I can understand why it haunts people. I have only seen the Definiti... read moreve Director's Cut, so I'm curious how the original cut would play for me.
  • May 6, 2011
    So the question is which film is better? 'Mohican's' or 'Dances with Wolves'? hmm tricky but for realism its probably 'Wolves'.

    A lavish romantic epic I think fits this historical offering, sweeping and glorious in both location, costume and score, this film is a Mann production... read more of perfection. A true swashbuckler based on the 17century novel which was known to be pretty mixed and inaccurate yet a real fantasy which would not look out of place with Errol Flynn in the starring role.

    The most impressive thing about this film is clearly the cinematography and the musical score, the vast landscapes are breathtaking and capture the period to a tea whilst the score is strong and emotional with some beautiful tribal/native pieces that play without any need for dialog atall! the final chase sequence is a prime example to this as the action developes accompanied by a heart pounding score with no need for any dialog or explanation.
    Certainly a change in pace for Mann as he's kinda known for crime thrillers or modern day films but you wouldn't think it from seeing this film as the battles sequences are some of the best I've seen in a film with brutal hacking and slashing and plenty of blood. All the cast are major players in the industry and add to the epic quality of the film, Day-Lewis being one of the best actors of this age for sure and Studi being the most realistic looking native Indian to hit the screens hehe

    Women love this film for the romance and the dashing Day-Lewis, personally I enjoy the score and I admit the love story is enticing but its the score that gives this film its life. A living romance novel and a gripping period action film that is brilliantly realistic and much better than the original novel...which is unique in itself.
  • February 4, 2011
    I was blown away by this film. Speechless. Heart-racing. I felt like I wanted to watch it again, after having only just finished it. I'll write something more specific soon.
  • November 21, 2010
    An awesome film that blends action and dramA The Last Of The Mohicans is a one of a kind film. The film focuses on three trappers that protect a British Colonel's two daughters during the French and Indian wars.
    A flawless epic, The Last Of The Mohicans is a superbly crafted fi... read morelm based on James Fenimore Cooper's 1826 novel of the same name. Having read the book, I much preferred this adaptation over the book. This version directed by Michael Mann has the essence of the book, but with more action. Mann's directing is as usual stunning, and the way he makes his films is why he's one of my favorite directors. Here he tells Cooper's story with a breath of fresh air, this version is stunning. Everything from the costumes, acting, film Score is beautiful. A beautiful film, this film will definitely appeal to history buffs and real film fans as a work to appreciate and cherish. As a reader of James Fenimore Cooper's original book, Michael Mann's The Last Of The Mohicans is a superior take over a mediocre book. As having read it, I can honestly say to those who want to watch this film and read Cooper's classic to skip the book and watch Mann's awesome and flawless version of an unreadable epic. Cooper may have created a stunning vision with his book, but he knew jack shit about writing books, It took me everything to finish the book, it was painful. But the film is worth it, it keeps the basic ideas of the book, but adds more depth and emotion than the book. to summarize the last paragraph, skip the book watch Michael Mann's version; more emotion, more depth and a better more developed plot. Vieweable film, not so readable book. This film is stunning, well acted and directed. In time, The Last Of The Mohicans will most likely become a film classic.
  • November 8, 2010
    A very unusual theme for Michael Mann, who is usually known for his elegant crime thrillers, this is an adaptation of Cooper's classic novel. Although the action and fighting scenes are pretty violent and follow great choreographies, the general language and mood of the film is r... read moreather poetic. That's mostly due to the dialogs, beautiful cinematography and a gorgeous soundtrack. Sometimes that makes the movie a tad cheesy, but on the other hand an enthralling, moving and sad tale carried by powerful acting performances. There are several extremely memorable scenes, the highlight being the promontory showdown, which will leave most of the audience bawling and deeply moved. A highlight of the genre.
  • fb619846742
    October 11, 2010
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    One of the best motion pictures ever made. An emotional, rich journey full of plenty of twists and turns, with the perfect hero to root for in Lewis. The most impressive aspect of the entire film is director Michael Mann's eye for scenery - as this movie contains some of the most... read more breathtaking in cinematic history. The love story between Lewis and Stowe is constructed beautifully, and the plot is paced to utter perfection. In addition, Wes Studi turns in a frightening, unforgettable performance as a man stripped of basic human emotions, whose thirst for revenge is what makes him so terrifying, since that is about all that drives him. The ending of the film is simply magnificent, and I have to say out of all the movies I've seen, this one features the best finale to a film that I can recall. Its intense, beautiful, stirring, and ultimately tragic but perfectly executed - I'm moved everytime I see it, and that's a testimony to the movie's ability to harness its power even after all the times I've viewed it. The score is also the best of the films I've seen - what a soaring soundtrack. Without question Michael Mann's best film, and one of my all-time favorite movies.
  • September 17, 2010
    There is so much important history to the movie, it just suprises me where the truth and hollywood merge, and where the script is a romantic fantasy. I would love to see more movies from this genre, and there are some good ones. Slightly tired of the theme tune after watching thi... read mores movie several hundred times, but I would watch a re-make, if Hollwood brought in the right director and camera crew.

Critic Reviews


Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

...the action is richly detailed and thrillingly staged.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

...not as authentic and uncompromised as it claims to be - more of a matinee fantasy than it wants to admit - but it is probably more entertaining as a result. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

He conceives of the story as if it were a gigantic piece of mood music. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

...big, bold, and gloriously sweeping. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Mann wasn't thinking story, he was thinking scheme. Keep the eyes and ears dazzled, he reasons, and the substance will follow. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Painstakingly, breathtakingly re-created by director Michael Mann, this landscape makes room for heroes with principles greater than the circumference of their biceps. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 29, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It nicely blends together action, romance and history. Full Review

Carly Kocurek
January 1, 2011
Carly Kocurek, Common Sense Media

Violent historical drama. Not for young kids. Full Review

Sean Axmaker
May 15, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online

Though set twenty years before the declaration of independence, [director Michael] Mann offers a portrait of a country and a people who have already redefined themselves. Full Review

Tim Brayton
June 17, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

Positively sprints through its narrative, achieving the adventuresome spirit so hopelessly absent from Cooper's clumsy and simple novel. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Hawkeye: Someday I think you and I are going to have a serious disagreement.
    • Hawkeye: You be strong, you survive... You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.
    • Col. Edmund Munro: Death and honor are thought to be the same, but today I have learned that sometimes they are not.

The Last of the M... : Watch Free on TV


The Last of the Mohicans Trivia


  • Which movie Daniel Day-Lewis is part of a Indian tribe  Answer »
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  • In the 1992 version of "The Last of the Mohicans", which character said the line "Well, you kinda face to the north and, real suddenlike, turn left."?  Answer »

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