(Spoilers Follow): In 18th century North America during the French and Indian War, a white man has been adopted by the last members of a dying tribe called the Mohicans. Named Hawkeye by his adopted family, his brother Uncas and father Chingachgook unwittingly becomes the protector of the two daughters of a British colonel, who have been targeted by Magua, a sadistic and vengeful Huron warrior who has dedicated his life to destroying the girls' father for a past injustice. Along their journey to reach their father Hawkeye falls in love with Cora Munroe (Stowe) and her sister Alice also falls in love with Hawkeye's brother Uncas. They reach their father at Fort Henry but defending the fort is an ill fated battle. They surrender to the French and the garrison and their families are offered safe passage to Albany, on condition they return to England and no longer fight in the war. Munro reluctantly accepts, after Montcalm shows him an intercepted message from Webb in which he refuses to send aid.
As the British march away, they are ambushed by a much larger force of Hurons led by Magua. To avenge his family, Magua personally cuts out Munro's heart, but not before telling Munro that he will kill his daughters so that his family line will be extinguished. Earlier, Magua had revealed to General Montcalm that his village had been destroyed years ago by Munro's soldiers, resulting in the death of his children and his wife marrying another man when she thought Magua was dead. Magua himself was taken as a slave by the Mohawk and although in time he adopted their customs and rose in their ranks, in his heart he always remained a Huron.Hawkeye, Cora, Alice, Uncas, Chingachgook, Heyward and two other soldiers escape to a cave behind a waterfall. With their gunpowder wet, Hawkeye and his two companions jump into the water, knowing their presence would precipitate a hopeless fight. Before escaping, Hawkeye promises Cora that he will find her no matter what happens. Heyward and the two women are captured.
Uncas immediately follows the war band, while Chingachgook waits for Hawkeye. From a safe distance, Hawkeye mercifully shoots Heyward as he is being burned at the stake. They then set off in pursuit of Magua.Uncas catches up with Magua's band alone. He kills several men before engaging Magua in single combat. Magua kills Uncas and drops his body off a cliff, after which Alice jumps to her death. Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Cora witness the deaths of their loved ones from a distance. Catching up, the two men slay several enemy warriors. As Hawkeye holds the rest at bay, Chingachgook duels Magua and avenges his son. After a ceremony for Uncas, Chingachgook names himself "the last of the Mohicans."
The Last of the Mohicans opened to wide acclaim, with critics praising the film for its cinematography and music. A "Director's Expanded Edition" was released in which Michael Mann trimmed or removed material and some additional footage was inserted, increasing overall run time by 3 minutes. The new material was often intercut within the original theatrical sequences. The violence is slightly occluded, although more detail is given to battle scenes. The ending is also slightly extended. The Clannad song was removed from the film altogether, but still listed in the song credits. The film is hitting Blu-Ray Disc on October 5th with a newly mastered transfer, something the film greatly needs due to the DVD that has been out there all these years is a letter boxed VHS transfer. The film still holds up well almost 20 years later and is a fantastic and epic adventure!
