The setting of the story is colonial New York during the Seven Years War, and it focuses on the conflicts among the French, English, and Indian tribes. Uncas, the last Mohican, arrives at Fort Edward to warn the English of the French-Huron alliance. Cora Munro falls in love with Uncas, but English Captain Randolph is jealous of her attention to Uncas.
Colonel Munro, Cora and Alice Munro's father, sends Magua to Fort Edward to ask for troops to defend Fort William Henry. Cora and Alice travel with the reinforcements and Magua takes them on a shortcut. He ditches them, and the sisters meet Uncas, his father Chief Great Serpent, and Hawkeye. The next day, treacherous Magua and the Hurons kidnap the sisters. They are freed by Uncas and Hawkeye, and brought to safety at Fort William Henry.
Jealous Captain Randolph meets with the French and secretly tells them how they can take the fort. Magua encourages complete disorder, and in the confusion, captures Cora and Alice. The Delaware Indians grant Cora to Magua and Alice to Uncas and Hawkeye.
Cora runs to the top of a cliff and threatens to commit suicide, while Magua waits for her to fall asleep. Once she does, Magua grabs her wrists and Cora hangs off the cliff. Just then, Uncas arrives and Magua forces her off the cliff to her death. Magua and Uncas fight, and finally, Magua kills Uncas. Just then, Hawkeye finds Cora and Uncas' bodies and he shoots Magua.
There are tearful funerals for Cora and Uncas. Chief Great Serpent's laments, "Woe for the race of red men! In the morning of life I saw the sons of my forefathers, happy and strong - and before nightfall I have seen the passing of the last of the Mohicans!"
The 1920 version of The Last of the Mohicans is a bit difficult to follow, but that's probably because the film is old and it relies on black and white visuals and written dialogue. The plot, once understood however, is very engaging and memorable. The imagery and music were beautiful and added greatly to emotional aspect of the storyline.In general, this is a good movie of great importance. It is a classic in the sense that it is an acclaimed film from the 20's. The cinematography is well done and the plot is compelling. Most importantly, what makes The Last of the Mohicans such a critical film is its major theme. The European "discovery" of the New World had a tremendous impact on native civilizations. War and culture-clash ultimately led to the extinction of the Native American natural culture, thus "The Last of the Mohicans."
The movie definitely had its sympathies with the Indians, and in this respect, may have been somewhat biased. From the British imperialist point of view, colonization and expansion came before the lives of the natives and other European competitors. The story may have been a bit stretched in the idea of "the last of the Mohicans." Applying such an absolute statement to a broad and ambiguous situation is not too realistic. Neither is the perfect, tragic romance between Cora and Uncas. But the film is a drama, so devices like exaggeration and symbolism are to be expected.
However, there is a lot to be learned about history from The Last of the Mohicans. It can be concluded from the movie that Exploration and the Colonial Period were times of competitive fighting and general disorganization. The French and English were still concerned with controlling the still unknown American continent and Indians added another dimension to the front. Natives were pivotal in the war, and they formed alliances with the French and English that turned the tables quickly. Indian attacks were also a very real concern, as shown in the movie. Power struggles and Indian forces distinguished New World warfare.
The Last of the Mohicans is an honorable historical piece. It offers a good glimpse at the Seven Years War and tells an excellent and entertaining story. The film is definitely significant and holds a solid place in American history.
