The Last of the Mohicans/The Last of the Mohicans Your first reaction to the phrase “Hollywood adaptation of a famous historical novel”? Personally, the most common thing in my head is the same thought: “Everything has been wrong again.” You ruined a good book. Come on. I'll go read it better. But... If you come across a film adaptation of Michael Mann’s Last of the Mohycans, lock your inner voice somewhere deeper in the wilderness of your brain and just enjoy a beautiful love story that blurs the boundaries between layers, peoples, and even between life and death. The history of vanished civilizations that fell under the influence of people who came from outside. A story of duty and friendship, of betrayal and revenge.
I will not compare the book and the film. In most cases, this is a thankless affair. I just want to try to convey to people who still doubt whether to watch this film or not, my feelings and emotions that arose after immersion in this beautiful, but smelled of blood and gunpowder world.
Cora Munro: The whole world is set on fire. Whites are fighting whites for lands that once belonged to the indigenous peoples of North America. Indian tribes choose their allies, who join the British, who are the French. They are no longer the pure children of the forests and prairies that they were before the arrival of the white men. They no longer ask for forgiveness from their gods for having killed a living being, even for food. Some became bloodthirsty animals themselves, despising the covenants of their tribes. Therefore, it is symbolic that the film begins with the scene of the original hunt. Where there's only you and the beast. Only the spirits will judge whether you are worthy of prey today. This is how Chingachguk and his two sons live: Unkas, born of a Mohican, and Hawkeye, Natti Bampo, pale in origin, but with the soul of a native of the continent. They take what they can carry. They live according to honor, according to the law of their ancestors, and for this they are respected by all: both settlers and relatives who have still preserved their true dignity. And when these three hunters see that someone “dug the hatchet of war”, then even for a second in their heads there is no thought to pass by. It is they who should say thank you to the daughter of a British officer, who by the will of fate fell into the very epicenter of hostilities.
Two different worlds meet in the images of Nathaniel and Cora, Alice and Uncas. The world of Cora and Alice is a carefree day surrounded by hats, babysitters, British officers, secular society. Girls know little about real life. They are still children, but fate will force them to grow up too quickly and make their own choices. And Natti and Unkas and Chengachguk will be there to support, to save, to keep going. The world of three hunters is simple and complex at the same time. The fittest survive here, more spiritually than physically. It’s no wonder Cora falls in love with Nathaniel so quickly. He is noble and courageous, his words never differ from his deeds. He's the one who's not scared. Yeah, Duncan's willing to do a lot to love Cora, too. But the moment when the major lies in order not to let the militias go puts a fat point in Cora's reasoning to be or not to be his wife. He will certainly atone for his guilt later, more than once. But ...
The love that has overcome the difference in social strata, outlook on life and upbringing, which has flared up like the flame of a cannon volley, will not be extinguished so quickly. In my opinion, the most powerful scene is the farewell under the waterfall. It expresses all love, all tenderness and unwillingness to put up with death. You can't put it into words. It just needs to be seen. Natty's eyes, burning with anger. Doom in Cora's eyes. And one pain for two.
Oh, so many thoughts, so many feelings.
But behind all these emotions, one should not forget that everything in this film is connected by a web of images, music, acting, the work of the director and the cameraman. Cut one string and everything will collapse. If the film involved other actors, there would be no passion, pain and beauty.
Daniel Day-Lewis is a true Hawkeye, for which you will trust your life unconditionally. He is someone who knows what to do when there seems to be no way out. He will sacrifice himself for others, even strangers.
Madeline Stowe is a gentle-looking creature that is about to soar above the battlefield, but the next moment she will not hesitate to take the life of anyone who dares to offend her or Alice.
Jodie May (Alice) is a spirit, disembodied and weak-willed, like a rope tied to his sister, but just as strong inside. No one expects anything heroic from her, but in vain. This girl is the embodiment of pride, purity and fearlessness. Even for a few seconds, it made Magua afraid of her determination.
Eric Schweig is the son of his father, always eager to fight, still a boy. But he is a true warrior, ready to die for the honor of the one who has settled in his heart.
Wes Studioy is a bloodthirsty murderer, a true leader who most likely earned his place not so much by respect as by fear. But he also trembled with Alice's determination and Chingachgook's despair. He became the one who destroys everything in his path because of the thirst for revenge. All human beings died in him long ago. His motives can be understood but not accepted. Magua is the same beast that has forgotten its roots and adopted from the white people the worst – bloodlust, greed, betrayal. He no longer belongs to this land.
Russell Means (Chingachgook) — here he is, the Last of the Mohycans. The only member of the tribe that has gone beyond the clouds. He is the last thing left of that great civilization that lived in harmony with nature and the world.
One of the most important characters in the film is music. These sounds cause the soul to tear to pieces, soar over the mountains, fight back to back with the heroes. She's not separate from the characters, she's part of them. This is the pain and moan of peoples, the cries of the wounded, the kisses of the beloved. This is life itself, written in seven notes.
Yes, much of the film is far from what Fenimore Cooper wrote. But there are such scenes saturated with such strong energy that at least for them it is worth pardoning the authors of such arbitrariness.
I don't know if I could convince you to devote almost two hours of your life to this film. I hope I succeeded. Just remember, this movie is not only about love, but also about that part of the history of our world that should not be forgotten.
We should consider whether we are willing to sacrifice our humanity for the sake of greed.
That's what the movie is about. Two different worlds, two different paths in this life. Which one you choose is up to you.
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