Western Wednesdays: The Last of the Mohicans (1936)

     The Last of the Mohicans was released on September 4th, 1936. Directed by George B. Seitz it is an adaptation of the novel by James Fenimore Cooper and was adapted for the screen by writers Philip Dunne and John L. Balderston. In it, Alice and Cora Munro (Binnie Barnes and Heather Angel respectively), the daughters of Colonel George Munro (Hugh Buckler), commander of British Fort William Henry, set out to join their father in the midst of the French and Indian War. Escorting them are Major Duncan Hayward (Henry Wilcoxon) and a group of Huron braves lead by the treacherous Magua (Bruce Cabot). When Magua betrays them they are rescued by a pair of Mohican Indians, Robert Barrat's Chingachgook and his son Uncas (Phillip Reed), along with the white companion Hawkeye (Randolph Scott).

     While the plot of The Last of the Mohicans mostly follows that of the novel the characters are quite different and many significant details are changed. Alice and Cora's personalities have been switched around, with the former being more assertive and protective then she was in the book. In addition, a romantic relationship between Alice and Hawkeye is added which, in my view, takes away from Hawkeye's character. It also means that Duncan is made out to be kind of a pompous ass. In the book he is naive at times (which makes sense given the unfamiliar situation he finds himself in) but is generally quick to learn, and he and Hawkeye share a relationship of mutual respect, whereas here they are constantly at each others throats.

     Many of these changes were carried over into the Micheal Mann remake, which I reviewed some years back. This makes sense given that Mann has cited this film as being the main basis for his, as he didn't like Cooper's novel, seeing it as a glorification of white seizure of Indian lands. There, of course, Duncan and Hawkeye's affections are transferred to Cora (who retains her characterization from the novel) while Alice is now the one who is killed. Unlike the remake, this film stay closer to the source material's original ending, and includes the shooting match between Hawkeye and Duncan (who tries to claim the hunter's identity in order to save his life). 

     The film is well cast, particularly Randolph Scott as Hawkeye, even if I wish he was less of a romantic lead. Bruce Cabot is also good as the villainous Magua, though I definitely prefer Wes Studi in the role. Henry Wilcoxon does the best he can in his thankless role as Duncan Hayward. Binnie Barnes is excellent as Alice as is Heather Angel as her more subdued sister. Phillip Reed and Robert Barrat are somewhat underutilized as Uncas and Chingachgook while Frank McGlynn Sr. is a great choice to play the pious Gamut, whose role is significantly reduced here. George Seitz's direction is unremarkable but competent, and he handles the big battle really well. Cinematographer Robert H. Planck captures the action well but ultimately leavers the film feeling a little confined and lacking in scale.

     In the end this is a completely respectable adaption of The Last of the Mohicans, if ultimately a little lightweight. 

Score: 8/10