The Last of the Mohicans | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
Directed by | George B. Seitz |
Produced by | Edward Small |
Written by |
|
Screenplay by | Philip Dunne |
Based on |
The Last of the Mohicans 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper |
Starring | |
Music by | Roy Webb (uncredited) |
Cinematography | Robert H. Planck |
Edited by |
|
Production
company |
Reliance Pictures
|
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date
|
|
Running time
|
91 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Last of the Mohicans is a 1936 American adventure film based on the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. It was directed by George B. Seitz and stars Randolph Scott, Binnie Barnes and Henry Wilcoxon.
During the French and Indian War, Alice (Binnie Barnes) and Cora Munro (Heather Angel), the two daughters of Colonel Munro (Hugh Buckler), commander of a British fort, set out from Albany to join their father. They are escorted by Major Duncan Heyward (Henry Wilcoxon), who has loved Alice for a long time, and by the Huron Indian Magua (Bruce Cabot). Magua is secretly an enemy of the British. Magua betrays them, but they are rescued by a colonial scout named Hawkeye (Randolph Scott) and his friends, the last two members of the Mohican tribe, Chingachgook (Robert Barrat) and his son Uncas (Phillip Reed). On their way to the fort, Uncas falls in love with Cora, while Hawkeye and Alice are attracted to each other.
The fort is besieged by the French, under General Montcalm (William Stack), and their Indian allies. Hawkeye sneaks out at night and overhears Magua's treacherous plans to raid the unprotected colonial settlements. Colonel Munro refuses to accept Hawkeye's unsupported word, and forbids the colonials to leave to protect their loved ones. Hawkeye arranges for the men to depart, but remains behind. Munro has no choice but to pronounce a death sentence on him for his actions. Magua incites his men to attack the fort to forestall an agreement between Montcalm and Munro that would allow the British to surrender the fort peacefully in exchange for their lives. Before Montcalm can stop the fighting, Munro is fatally wounded and his daughters are carried off by Magua and a small band of his supporters. Magua tells the women that Cora will become his squaw, and Alice will be burned alive.