This 1992 American war epic, set in 1757 during the French and Indian War, has been hailed by fans as “the best movie ever” – and was awarded an impressive 7.6/10 on IMDb. The Last of the Mohicans was co-produced and directed by Michael Mann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Crowe, based on the 1826 novel of the same name by James Fenimore Cooper and its 1936 film adaptation.
The epic historical drama stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe and Jodhi May in leading roles, while Russell Means, Wes Studi and Eric Schweig also feature. The plot follows the last members of a dying Native American tribe, the Mohicans, who co-exist peacefully alongside British colonists. However, when the daughters of a British colonel are kidnapped, Uncas (Schweig), his father Chingachgook (Means) and his adopted half-white brother Hawkeye (Day-Lewis) must rescue them in the crossfire of a gruesome military conflict which they want no part in.
The film was released in the US in September 1992 and received generally positive reviews from critics. It was ranked the 17th-highest-grossing film of 1992 in the US and grossed more than $67 million internationally. It won the Academy Award for Sound and was also nominated for seven BAFTA awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Day-Lewis.
In preparation for his role, Daniel Day-Lewis participated in weeks of wilderness training with the US Army Special Forces personnel, learning to use period weapons, start fires, and hunt and skin game. During filming, Russell Means—who made his film-acting debut—lobbied for the 175 Native American extras to receive better pay and improved lodging conditions.
Fans have not held back in sharing their praises of The Last of the Mohicans on Rotten Tomatoes, either, with an impressive number of five-star reviews.
“I just watched it again after a lapse of several years and I can say with confidence that this is the best movie I have ever seen,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
“This was the first time that I had noticed the star Daniel Day-Lewis in a movie, and he absolutely blew me away,” wrote another. “He is 100% believable as Hawkeye, the white son of a wandering Native American Hunter. This film is emotional, features a brilliant score, And is based on a classic American novel. They’ve been other adaptations of the story, but for sure, heart, wrenching drama, and action, this is the best version to watch.”
A third wrote: “The 12% that somehow didn’t like this movie probably don’t like anything. I’ve seen it many times, and just watched for the first time in probably 20 years, and WOW it holds up. Such a great historical epic!!”