Rating: 
Summary: Enthralling music, quality close combat
Review: As mentioned previously, this movie has numerous required elements for a quality movie. What differentiates it are the soundtrack that uses several slight variations of the main theme and the close combat. The era weaponry and their use in close quarters, elicits a visceral response on a level similar to the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.As always, Michael Mann's cinematography is breathtaking. More than a drama, easily can substitute for an full-on action movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy cutting guts the drama and love story of the original.
Review: I'm a fan of this movie, and my low rating has to do with displeasure at the director's cut version. The original version had its problems, but Mann went overboard in trying to correct those problems and messed up the movie. I've read all of the other reviews here, and people have already touched on many of the major changes in the DVD version. I won't rehash the previous comments. I wrote this review because I don't think anybody yet has mentioned some very important changes made to the director's cut. Taken as a whole, this director's cut is a significantly different movie from the original, much like how Blade Runner got changed completely. Since I don't have a copy of the original version, I can only make comparisons from memory, so bear with me if I make some mistakes. As a previous review noted, the intent of the director's cut seems to have been to add more historical background and authenticity to the movie. This does give a greater richness to the movie, but at the expense of slowing the pace down noticeably. Certain scenes have lost a good deal of their original dramatic effect. I'm thinking especially of Hawkeye's run through the meadow during the big massacre outside of the fort. In the original version, as I recall, there is a continuous camera shot of Hawkeye, running at warp speed, looking for Cora, calling out her name, and whacking Hurons left and right. Melodramatic, over-choreographed, and faintly reminiscent of a Kung Fu fight scene for sure, but that brief shot had a real kinetic energy which got you charged up and let you know in no uncertain terms how important Cora was to Hawkeye. In the new version, we see Hawkeye moving at a more realistic pace, working with Uncas and Chingachgook, and eventually finding Cora. More realistic, but also slower, choppier, and lacking the drama of the original scene. The biggest complaint that I wanted to post here was that the love story of Uncas and Alice had its heart ripped out in this director's cut. In the original version, the build up of their love story was very subtle, and consisted only of a few brief shots of them together. Through their body language, we can see that there is a mutual attraction, and that Uncas feels increasingly protective of Alice. These shots appear to have all been cut out. In the new version, by the time they are in the cave under the waterfall, you have no clue that Uncas and Alice have developed any sort of fondness for each other. In fact, when Uncas grabs Alice to pull her back from the entrance of the cave, and then hugs her tight, my immediate reaction was to think, hey, guy, you shouldn't do that, how do you know that she likes you, she should haul off and sock you for making a pass at her. This lack of development of their love story continues to trouble the director's cut into the final fight scene. Uncas races ahead of his companions to take on Magua's war party single handedly in a fight to the death. Why? In the original version, it was immediately obvious that he was driven by his heroic love for Alice and this love overcame his good judgement. In this director's cut, Uncas just looks like an inexplicable idiot. Later in the final fight scene, when Alice looks down the cliff before jumping off the cliff, the original version makes it apparent that she was looking at Uncas' lifeless body and that she jumped to join Uncas in death because she loved him. With the director's cut, the lack of development of their love story changes the explanation for Alice's suicide - it looks more like she is just so frightened by Magua standing in front of her with a bloody knife that she kills herself two minutes before the rescuers arrive. And so, instead of a tragic lover's death, the director's cut makes Alice look like an idiot also. (I think, in the original version, there was a brief shot of the two bodies side by side at the bottom of the cliff - to emphasize the original reason for Alice's jumping off the cliff - this shot also seems to be missing from the director's cut). The love story of Hawkeye and Cora also suffers. In the original version, they had a lot more scenes together at the fort. Many of those as I recall were somewhat anachronistic verbal battles - very 1990's sexual tension sort of stuff. There was also a scene of a shirtless and very buff looking Hawkeye (not the bedroom arrest scene) where it becomes instantly obvious to Cora and everyone watching the movie why this scruffy mountaineer might make for an attractive mate. Mann seems to have cut out all these scenes in the name of authenticity. But, he didn't have any other scenes available of Hawkeye and Cora together to take their place. So, the sum total of these cuts makes Hawkeye and Cora's feelings for each other a big mystery until all of a sudden they go off to a corner of the fort to hug and kiss. The way the kissing scene is presented is very abrupt in the new version. As I recall, in the original version, there was this long and very beautiful buildup where the two of them first size each other up while the fiddle is playing in the background. Anyway, if you have a copy of the original version as well as the director's cut, I'm sure that you could do a more accurate scene by scene comparison. People should know that the director's cut takes out a lot more scenes than it adds in, making for a very different and inferior movie.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the Best Action Movie of All Time
Review: The first version of The Last of the Mohicans that had any impact on me was the 1930s production starring Randolf Scott. His Hawkeye was almost a cowboy in buckskin, out of place in the overall setting and (since it WAS the 1930s) the production, while interesting to a young child, was lackluster in retrospect. Michael Mann's production, however, can be described by only one word: Passionate. I not cannot imagine anyone other that Day-Lewis in the role of Hawkeye. Though the movie does not follow the book entirely (thank GOD!) it transcends Cooper's original ideas. Uncas, Chingatchgook, Magua, the Monroes, and Hawkeye (of course) are realistic, though vaguely unoriginal, characters. Mann's screenplay displays a deep love and respect for the Indian way of life, and his direction and storyline definately evokes the emotions and ideas of the time. Hawkeye's love for Cora Monroe is simple and passionate, and Uncas' affection for the other Monroe daughter is well-played. Now, I billed this film in my review as an action movie, and there is a great deal of it. The opening sequence is a magnificient chase-scene, and the fimal moments of the film are tremendously exciting. Many rip-roaring, primal battle scenes, along the lines of Braveheart, are present in the film and truly reflect the battle-system of the times. The portrayal of the revenge-drunk Magua is brilliant, and Chingatchgook is both chief and warrior in a masterful performance. The Edelman soundtrack will have the viewer enthralled from the first trumpet blast. A literary companion to this film would be Timothy Truman's Wilderness, which is a superb (and authentic) graphic novel on the life of frontiersman Simon Girty. Check it out and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful film suffers from improbable love affair.
Review: Often compared to "Dances with Wolves", "Last of the Mohicans" is really more similar to "Black Robe", although not nearly as realistic nor as good. I first saw this film on its release and was in awe of the cinematography. The movie is truly breathtaking and is action packed with incredible battle scenes, yet it left me scratching my head. Why? I guess it was the suddeness of the love affair between the male and female protagonists. One second they dislike each other, and a few scenes later they are making love. Obviously, something got left on the cutting room floor...and that is really a shame. Time was needed to develop this relationship, and because it wasn't, the movie suffered. I also felt that this film was too modernized in its use of language and character portrayal (mainly the protagonist--he didn't ring true for me--seemed like a 1980s kind of guy). On the positive side, there is much to love in this film. The cinematography, the music, the camera angles are all exceptional. Watching the protagonist with the two Indian brothers as they ran through the forrest searching for game was a brilliant piece of film making. The portayal of Magua (the antagonist) was the strongest part of the movie. He was absolutely brilliant. "Last of the Mohicans" is really an epic film with many unforgettable scenes...some of which reminded me of Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon". All-in-all a solid film that had a chance for greatness. Between 1 and 10, I give "Last of the Mohicans" a marginal 8 and a plea. Re-edit and put back what was left on the cutting room floor, and re-release this fine film as a true director's cut.
Rating:
Summary: My ultimate favourite
Review: The Last of the mohicans is the ultimate movie. Hard action-sequences and a great lovestory...a soundtrack, which is going straight to your heart. It is the best movie, I have ever seen. Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe are the lovers of the past AND the future. Watch this movie...you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie for DVD; I like VHS version better w(old scenes)
Review: I have had this movie on VHS for a long time and it is one of my favorite movies. I was so excited to get this epic movie on DVD. Although it is great on DVD, it was such a disappointment to realize some scenes were cut out. I'm glad the director added scenes he thought should be in, but cutting out some key moments is kind of heartbreaking. It was enough to make me question whether I would rather watch it on DVD or VHS.
Rating:
Summary: Better Every Time
Review: The Last of the Mohicans is a movie that just keeps getting better after repeated viewings. The battle scenes should be shown in high-school history classes, to make those boring textbook descriptions make some sense. I was impressed by the gentle handling of the almost-but-not-quite love story between the younger sister, Alice, and Uncas.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie...Too bad about the DVD though.
Review: If you are a huge fan of this movie, as many are, you will not be overly disapointed, but if you are also a huge fan of what DVD can give you, you might be. The audio and visual are both fine, except for some loss of volume on the dialogue, but the editing is confusing. Why Mr. Mann decided to expand by removing! is beyond me. Should be called a Director's CUT. I can't say I watched this movie too many times before I bought it on DVD, but I noticed almost all the omissions on first viewing, and my player gives me a nice jump right around the love scene area. I don't too terribly mind Clannad being gone, although I love the song and the band, it wasn't absolutely fitting in this movie. The additions are mostly minor, and that's a shame. I rarely feel this way, but this movie is one which actually should be LONGER. An epic film (sort of) under 2 hours! Oh well. Enjoy, yearn for more, and maybe someday, we'll have a DVD worthy of this fantasic movie.
Rating:
Summary: Extra scenes... I seem to be missing scenes?
Review: I didn't notice any extra scenes. I did however, notice the lack of two scenes. 1) Hawkeye says to Duncan "one of these days we are going to have a serious disagreement. 2) When they made their escape on the lake Hawkeye said "fine day on the lake major" as Duncan pointed his sidearm at Hawkeye from the other boat. Both scenes missing.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Director's Cut Brings Crisper Carnage
Review: Upon coming home from work yesterday, I discovered my "Last Of the Mohicans" director's cut DVD had arrived. Let me first tell you a little story... 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.
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