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In 1757 war is raging between the English and the French
over control of the American and Canadian colonies, many of
the native tribes are drawn into the war with tragic consequences.
Hawkeye, a woodsman, is charged with the safety of Cora and
Alice, to deliver them to safety, past the French and their
allies the bloodthirsty Huron, led by Magua. To help him in
his endeavour he enlists the help of two of his oldest friends,
Chingachook, the last remaining chief of the Mohican people
and his son Uncas, last of the Mohicans...
Last
of the Mohicans (1971) was a BBC adaptation of James Fenimore
Cooper's famous and very popular 1826 novel. The eight episode
version was one of the most complete versions made, though
there had been others, including three films, the last being
Michael Mann's 1992 film staring Daniel Day Lewis and a number
of television serialisations. Where the BBC adaptation fails
is in the removing of a lot of the narrative relating to the
Mohicans, effectively relegating them to almost secondary
character in what should have been their story.
Most
of the serial concentrates on the character of Hawkeye, played
by Kenneth Ives, who had previously appeared in Doctor
Who: The Dominators, Adam Adamant Lives and the
exceptionally good Gangsters.
Before
we crack on you have to remember that, as it was made in 1971,
the serial is very much a product of its time. I remembered
being riveted to it as a child and still had some very fond
memories, but I'm also aware that your memory lies so it was
with not a little trepidation that I sat down to re-watch
a favourite from my own childhood.
Did
the series live up to expectations, well yes and no (there's
fence sitting if ever I saw it). On the positive side, once
you get into the story, it does a good job of carrying you
away. Some of the central characters acquit themselves as
well as I remember however there is a down side.
Time
has not been kind to either the print, which is watchable
in a slightly fuzzy, grainy way or to some of the acting styles.
Little effort is made to portray the non-English characters
with much authenticity, but don't forget that this was made
in a period before political correctness, the Black and
White Minstrel Show was still on and still very popular.
Kenneth
Ives portrayal of Hawkeye owes little to a hardened backwoods
man as he comes over more like a suave spy. I kept expecting
him to walk into shot with a dry martini, shaken not stirred.
Richard Warwick (Uncas) who did so well in Lindsay Anderson's
If... (1968) seems permanently depressed, which I suppose
is forgivable if your whole tribe is dead and you're the last
of your kind. The acting laurels have to go to Philip Madoc
as the revenge driven Magua, Joanna David (Alice Munro) and
Patricia Maynard (Cora Munro) for their portrayal of strong
female characters.
As
previously mentioned the print is not great and the staging
rarely allows you to forget that the internal shot are on
a stage. Sound is mono, with optional subtitles, and whilst
there are a few extras they are in text form. So, you get
a seven page look at James Fenimore Cooper, six filmographies
and sixteen pictures in a gallery.
If
like me you remember the show with fondness, then it will
be like visiting an old friend only to think 'what the hell
happened to you'. Although it's most probably the best adaptation
there is, it may just mess a little with your childhood memories.
Charles
Packer
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