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Laramie Movie Scope:
Last of the Mohicans

Adventure on a grand scale

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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October 6, 1992 -- ``Last of the Mohicans'' is one of those old-fashioned adventure films made on a grand scale amid wonderful scenery based on an American classic story. It is a real pleasure to watch.

Based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper, it is a rousing tale of high adventure and love set during the French and Indian War. Daniel Day Lewis sparkles as Hawkeye, a white man raised by the Mohicans and Madeleine Stowe is great as the daughter of an English officer.

While the film may not be politically correct and it may not be historically accurate, it is, nonetheless, a great adventure yarn. The heroes are properly heroic and the villains are just as strong.

The prime villain is the Huron Indian Magua, sympathetically played by Wes Studi. He is more than a one-dimensional character and is truly formidable. Equally formidable is Russell Means, who plays Chingachgook, the Mohican who raised Hawkeye. By the way, that's the same Russell Means who used to be a kingpin in the American Indian Movement.

The film does acknowledge the friction between settlers and the British military officers and it shows some of the culture shock of civilized people thrown into highly uncivilized situations. The story is kept simple and it is very effective. There is also good chemistry between Academy Award winner Daniel Day Lewis (My Left Foot) and Madeleine Stowe. Director Michael Mann (Miami Vice) is not subtle, but does get his point across.

I noticed many people in the theater waited until the very end of the credits to see where those beautiful location shots were filmed. I never knew North Carolina has such great scenery. Some of the photography is excellent, but some of the nighttime shots are so murky it is hard to tell what is happening. It is rated ``R'' for violence.

This film rates an A-.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)