The Last of the Mohicans (THX Widescreen Edition)

I used to work in an Audio/Video store years ago, and we used the "Last of the Mohicans" THX-certified laserdisc for home theater demo material (we wouldn't show any of the real blood-and-guts scenes mind you). I also own the widescreen version of the film on VHS. So since 1992, I've watched the film over 30 times and can recite just about every line. Even though the film had lost some of its luster, I thought this director's cut would be a nice addition to my DVD collection. I had planned to do some work around the house last night, but I just had to take a look at how the DVD looked. I was just going to take a quick peak and then get on with my chores. From the opening scene I was engrossed. I couldn't pull myself away from the TV, and of course, nothing got done around the house.

I was awed at how much depth was in the picture... far more than on laserdisc. Even though I have seen this movie countless times, I kept noticing new things in the original scenes.

Using a THX 5.1 surround processor, I was similarily impressed with the separation, steering and clarity of the sound and dialogue. In the battle scenes, bullets and cannon balls were "going over head" and explosions were going off in all corners of the room. Subtle sounds are also accentuated. When Hawkeye and Cora lip-lock for the first time, they are both clearly heard panting heavily and softly moaning as they passionately kiss and grope each other. (this subtlety forced me to take a cold shower). In the VHS and laserdisc version the music drowns out this hot little soundbit. In the previous versions of the film, dialogue was frequently drown out by battle sounds and music, but on this DVD, dialogue remains crystal clear throughout.

Concerning the added scenes... I believe in the original version, Hollywood wanted to place more emphasis on the inter-relationships of the characters and less on the historical significance and setting. In the Director's cut, we see Michael Mann restoring scenes that show the atmosphere of the mid 1700's, what the culture was like, and a more realistic representation of warfare for the period. He does this without (in my opinion) sacraficing the inter-relationships of the characters.

People have reported a "jumping" when new scenes were added. They even enclosed a notice inside the DVD case informing me of this issue. It may be that this problem has been corrected. I looked pretty closely at the point where new scenes were added and I couldn't see any of the jumping that others had reported with one exception. Approximately 30 minutes into the film, the picture momentarily pixelated. Other than this, the new edits appeared to be seamless.

Yes, the 30 seconds of that Clannad tune that was in the original has been cut. Boo hoo. I think the overall integrity of the movie was maintained by eliminating the song from the track. Since Mann is trying to restore the historical aspects of the film in his director's cut, it is easier to suspend disbelief when you do not have a 90's new age group singing in the background... even though it is a nice song.

In all, the picture and sound on this DVD is superb. The added scenes are at times subtle but help to paint a better historical picture of the atmosphere of the pre-revolutionary genre in American History. I highly recommend this DVD to videophiles, audiophiles, and all fans of the Last of the Mohicans.


Is It Just Me, Or Is Hawkeye A Perfect Counterculture Hero?   May 20, 2000
Barron Laycock (Temple, New Hampshire United States)
41 out of 46 found this review helpful

Of course, the movie is great, the cinematography is simply marvelous, and I could watch Madeline Stowe all day long......But that isn't the reason I wanted to jump into reviewing this movie. I wrote to see if anyone besides me sees Hawkeye as the first movie hero portrayed as a sixties-type counterculture freak. The figure of Hawkeye is drawn here as a kind of counter-cultural anti-hero.

Here he is, a long-haired non-conformist, a white man scorning the ways of colonial life, choosing instead to live the Indian way among kindred spirits (the Mohicans). He lives in harmony with nature, owning only what he can carry with him. His values are not those of the white man, not those of the colonial farmer, and certainly not those of the despised "Yankee trader", who greedily attempts to exploit the local environment in order to maximize whatever material wealth he can glean from it .

For Hawkeye and the rest of the Indians, such values make no sense. What, for example, is the purpose in owning more things than one can use? Instead, he follows a more aesthetic philosophy, employing a minimalist value system allowing him to live off the the land without exploiting it beyond its limits. Gotta set his soul free?

Meanwhile, he heaps scorn on the ways of the crazy white man, whose life and values seem to make no sense. Unlike Cora, Hawkeye moves effortlessly through the wooded landscape, viewing reality through the very practical lens of experience and Indian wisdom. He doesn't attempt to interpret the world through some inappropriate value system such as English culture. Instead, he uses local values, customs, and folkways to great personal advantage by employing them in an active attempt to interact as meaningfully as possible with the evolving circumstances, whether it be with Cora, the Camerons, the Hurons, or the military.

Thus, Hawkeye as portrayed in this movie represents a perfect model, whether intended as such or not, of the consummate counter-cultural man. His views are those of the 1960s freaks; a no-bull..., no-complications, lets-live-for-today concentration on living in the present moment. he is neither racked by torment, nor by regret over misdeeds in the past, nor is he filled with dread or self-doubt about the future. He lives with no apparent illusions, with no apparent aspirations, no personal ambitions or career plans. He seems in touch with his feelings (his "inner child?"), and he shows a range of emotions all the way from gentleness toward loved ones and a reverence for all living things to the other side- he's willing to deal aggressively with any perceived threats emanating from outside sources.

This new movie Hawkeye is a marvel to behold; an idealized man who never makes a false step. He recognizes his dependence and obligations to others, such as his adopted Mohican father Chingachook and his blood-brother Uncas. He acts immediately on his attraction to Cora as their romance develops. His actions are all consistent with his stated values; i.e. they serve to move him aggressively but purposefully through whatever environment he finds himself in.

He understands that his values are not always the same as the values of those of others with whom he must interact, yet he makes no effort to attempt to change their attitudes or ideas, nor does he interfere with these individuals in pursuit of their goals unless their acts somehow threaten or impede him. When it's appropriate, he's quite able to explain his motives, attitudes, beliefs, and values, as he does to the English major who mistakenly believes him to be an Indian scout.

So dear reader, what do you think. have I been sitting out in the sun listening to old CSN&Y records too long, or do you think Michael Mann slipped us a fast one? Far out!


Director's Expanded Edition a BIG Mistake   November 27, 1999
D. M. Whitley (Central Washington State)
39 out of 43 found this review helpful

Waited in great anticipation for the DVD release of this one. The Last of the Mohicans is a great movie enhanced with terrific music. The VHS widescreen version in THX is a wonderful piece of entertainment. Unfortunately, this Director's Expanded Edition has destroyed the flow and continuity of the original. In Director Michael Mann's attempt to supply us with his "definitive vision of the film" via his own editing, he has ignored the professional editors and provided us with a substandard version of what was a fine film. Several of the added clips have no musical sound track at all and come across as painfully awkward - making the viewer fully aware he/she is watching actors in front of a camera rather than immersing us in the action. There is even a series of scenes in the original (and VHS) that has a vocal music piece overlaid that has been completely omitted from the DVD. All in all, I was very disappointed in the DVD after having distinctive and memorable images etched in my mind from the original theater and VHS releases.