Karin Dor (1938-2017)

On 6 November 2017, German leading lady Karin Dor (1938-2017) has passed away. The redheaded actress became popular in the 1960s playing heroines in Edgar Wallace and Karl May films. She was Winnetou’s greatest love but also the first German Bond girl. After appearing in more international films, including one by Alfred Hitchcock, she became a respected stage actress in Germany. Karin Dor was 79.


German postcard by ISV.


German postcard, no. R 30. Photo: publicity still for Winnetou 2. Teil/Winnetou: The Red Gentleman (Harald Reinl, 1964). Caption: Der Friede ist gerettet. Ribanna weiss, dass ihr und Winnetous Opfer nicht umsonst war. (Peace is saved. Ribanna knows that her and Winnetou's sacrifice was not in vain.)


German postcard, no. ED 65. Photo: Constantin. Still from Der Schatz in Silbersee (1962, Harald Reinl) with Götz George.


German postcard, no. R 17. Photo: publicity still for Winnetou 2. Teil/Winnetou: The Red Gentleman (Harald Reinl, 1964) with Pierre Brice. Caption: So werden Ribanna und Winnetou gezwungen, ihre Liebe dem Frieden zu opfern. (Thus Ribanna and Winnetou are forced to sacrifice their love.)


German postcard by WS-Druck, Wanne-Eickel, no. F 31. Photo: Klaus Collignon.

Harald Reinl

Karin Dor was born as Kätherose Derr in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1938. She grew up in a middle-class family. Although she initially wanted to become a fashion designer, she took actor's training and ballet lessons.

At 17, she tried to break into the film industry, starting as an extra in Der letzte Walzer/The Last Waltz (Arthur Maria Rabenalt, 1953). Her director, Arthur Maria Rabenalt recommended her to his upcoming colleague Harald Reinl who gave her small speaking parts in his films Rosen-Resli/Rose-Girl Resli (Harald Reinl, 1954) and Der schweigende Engel/The Silent Angel (Harald Reinl, 1954), both starring Christine Kaufmann.

That same year, Dor married her Austrian director, who was 30 years her elder. She pretended to be two years older (several sources, including the normally well-informed French site Les Gens du Cinéma, still give 1936 as her birth date) to marry without problems.

The young actress made her first major appearances as a high-school graduate in Ihre grosse Prüfung/The Big Test (Rudolf Jugert, 1955) with Luise Ullrich, and as a mayor's daughter during the Spanish Civil War in the melodrama Solange du lebst/As Long As You Live (Harald Reinl, 1955) with Adrian Hoven. Hal Erickson writes at AllMovie that “though the leading lady of this film, Marianne Koch, received several awards for her performance, many male viewers were more interested in her sexier costar Karin Dor”.

A curiosity was the comedy Mit Eva fing die Sünde an/Bellboy and the Playgirls (Fritz Umgelter, 1958), which centres on a bellhop who prepares for his dream job of becoming a detective by spying on half-naked chorines through a keyhole. Just before the film was distributed in the US in 1962, the young Francis Ford Coppola was hired to add additional scenes featuring nude women - shot in 3-D - to spice up the story.


German postcard by Kolibri-Verlag G.m.b.H., Minden/Westf., no. 1014. Photo: Zeyn / Union-Film / Spörr.


German postcard, no. E 80. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Schatz im Silbersee/The Treasure of Silver Lake (Harald Reinl, 1962) with Karin Dor and Jan Sid.


German postcard, no. E 76. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Schatz im Silbersee/The Treasure of Silver Lake (Harald Reinl, 1962) with Götz George and Karin Dor.


German postcard by Rüdel-Verlag. Photo: Rialto / Constantin / Vogelmann. Publicity still for Der Schatz im Silbersee/The Treasure of Silver Lake (Harald Reinl, 1962).


German postcard.

Miss Krimi

According to Filmportal.de, Karin Dor specialised in gentle and naive roles in popular music films and sentimental comedies with a regional background.

However she managed to successfully transfer her image to the crime film genre in Die Bande des Schreckens/Hand of the Gallows (Harald Reinl, 1960), the third film in the Edgar Wallace series. Dor became popular as ‘Miss Krimi’ and was seen in eleven Wallace films.

She also appeared in the Dr. Mabuse and Fu Manchu horror melodrama series: in Die Unsichtbaren Krallen des Dr. Mabuse/The Invisible Dr. Mabuse (Harald Reinl, 1962) and Ich, Dr. Fu Man Chu/The Face of Fu Manchu (Don Sharp, 1962) starring Christopher Lee.

Karin Dor often played the innocent damsel in distress, who opposed the bad guys bravely till the hero saved her. In that role, she also became a key asset to the Karl May film series, the second huge West-German genre success. First, she appeared in Der Schatz im Silbersee/The Treasure of Silver Lake (Harald Reinl, 1962), the first film with Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand and Pierre Brice as Winnetou. In Winnetou 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (Harald Reinl, 1964), she was Ribanna, Winnetou’s greatest love.

She also appeared in the Eurowesterns Der letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965), Winnetou - 3. Teil/The Desperado Trail (Harald Reinl, 1965) and Winnetou und Shatterhand im Tal der Toten/In the Valley of Death (Harald Reinl, 1968). For these roles, she was awarded the Scharlih-Prize in 1994, the best-known award connected to Karl May.


German postcard, no. R 6. Photo: still from Winnetou - 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (Harald Reinl, 1964) with Karin Dor as Ribanna.


German postcard, no. R 7. Photo: still from Winnetou - 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (Harald Reinl, 1964) with Karin Dor as Ribanna and Pierre Brice as Winnetou.


German postcard, no. R 19. Photo: still from Winnetou - 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (Harald Reinl, 1964) with Karin Dor as Ribanna.


German postcard, no. R 22. Photo: publicity still for Winnetou - 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (Harald Reinl, 1964) with Mario Girotti and Karin Dor. Caption: Auch Ribanna und ihr Mann Leutnant Merrill fallen in die Hände der Bande. Sie werden als Gefangene an einen Felsen gebunden. (Ribanna and her husband Lt. Merrill also fall into the hands of the gang. They are bound as prisoners to a rock.)


German postcard, no. 15 (1-36). Photo: CCC / Constantin. Publicity still for Winnetou und Shatterhand im Tal der Toten/The Valley of Death (Harald Reinl, 1968). Caption: Mabel will den Banditen den Brief übergeben, um Leutnant Cummings zu retten. (Mabel wants to give the letter to the bandits to save Lieutenant Cummings.)

James Bond

A turning point in Karin Dor’s career was her great role as the demonic Brunhild in the two-part Burgundian saga Die Nibelungen/Those whom the Gods wish to destroy (Harald Reinl, 1966). Although the film was not well received by the critics, it became the start of Dor's international film career.

As Germany's ‘star without affairs’ Dor got the part of sexy agent Helga Brandt in the fifth James Bond opus, You Only Live Twice (Lewis Gilbert, 1967) alongside Sean Connery. It enabled her as ‘The first German Bond girl’ to act against her former, rather virtuous role image. She delivered a convincing performance as a red-haired temptress trying to stop the famous undercover agent using her erotic charm.

In 1968, Karin Dor became sick with cancer and she also divorced Harald Reinl. There was a brief halt in her career.

Suddenly she got the unexpected offer to play a Cuban woman in Alfred Hitchcock's spy thriller Topaz (1969). Dor starred as the beautiful and proud Juanita de Cordoba, the leader of an underground movement. She and her lover collaborate with the West.

Her death scenes in both aforementioned films were spectacular. In the Bond film, Helga Brandt is devoured by piranhas; and in Topaz Juanita is shot by her jealous lover (John Vernon), in the style of an opera's finale.


German postcard, no. 35 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Still from Der Lezte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965) with Karin Dor, Marie France and Kurt Grosskurth. Caption: Der Koch hat die kleine Gruppe zum 'Garten der Steinerne Bäume' geführt. Welch ein Freude, als nun auch Captain Hayward unversehrt auftaucht und bald darauf Unkas und Falkenauge mit den Pferden. Nun kann man zu Munroes Farm aufbrechen! (The chef has led the small group to the 'Garden of Stone Trees'. What a joy when Captain Hayward emerges intact and soon after Uncas and Hawk Eye with the horses. Now they can leave for Munroe's Farm !)


German postcard, no. 39 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Still from Der Lezte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965) with Daniel Martin, Anthony Steffen and Karin Dor. Caption: Kurz von der Munroe-Farm, im Schutze der Felsen, macht die kleine Gruppe halt. Sie überzeugt sich davon, dass die Farm von Rogers bande und den Irokesen umzingelt ist. Wie sollen sie nun hinein gelangen? Wiederum verfällt man auf eine Liste. Wie früher der Oberst, wenn er nach Hause zurück kehrte, mit einem Roten Tuch winkte, genauso soll sich Unkas der Farm nähern, damit man seine friedlichen Absichten erkennt. Cora bindet Unkas ihr rotes Halstuch um den Arm. (Near the Munroe farm, in the shelter of the rocks, the small group makes halt. They convinced themselves that the farm of Rogers bande and the Iroquois is surrounded. But how can they get inside? Again, one falls on a list. As before the colonel, when he returned home, Unkas will wave a red cloth when he goes nearer to the farm, so that you can see his peaceful intentions. Cora binds her red scarf around Unkas arm.)


German postcard, no. 5. Photo: CCC / Constantin Film. Publicity still for Die Nibelungen, Teil 1 - Siegfried / Siegfried (Harald Reinl, 1966) with Uwe Beyer as Siegfried and Karin Dor as Brunhild.


German postcard, no. 13. Photo: CCC / Constantin Film. Publicity still for Die Nibelungen, Teil 1 - Siegfried / Siegfried (Harald Reinl, 1967) with Maria Marlow as Kriemhild and Karin Dor as Brunhild. Caption: "Beim Kirchgang begegnen sich die Königinnen Kriemhild und Brunhild. Von Eifersucht geplagt, wirft Kriemhild der Königin von Burgund vor, dass nicht ihr Bruder Gunther, sondern Siegfried Brunhild besiegt hätte. Als Beweis zeigt sie Brunhild deren Zaubergürtel. Die Königinnen trennen sich in Zorn und Hass." (When going to the church, the queens Kriemhild and Brunhild encounter. From jealousy plagued Kriemhild tells the Queen of Burgundy that not her brother Gunther but Siegfried has defeated Brunhild . As proof, she points Brunhild the magic belt. The queens separate in anger and hatred.).


German postcard by Franz Josef Rüdel, Filmpostkartenverlag, Hamburg. Photo: Axel Strencioch.

You Only Live Three Times

Till the early 1970s, Karin Dor featured in more international films like the British pulp thriller Die Screaming, Marianne (Pete Walker, 1970) starring Susan George in her debut, Die Antwort kennt nur der Wind/Only the Wind Knows the Answer (Alfred Vohrer, 1974) with Maurice Ronet, and Warhead (John O'Connor, 1974-1976) with David Janssen.

She also guest-starred in TV series like It Takes a Thief (1969), Ironside (1970) and The F.B.I. (1970). When the film offers dried up, she decided to focus on the German stage. There she appeared in classics as 'Tartuffe', but also in boulevard comedies like 'Der Neurosenkavalier'. In the latter, she performed more than 500 times.

Her TV work in the 1990s included the family series Die große Freiheit/The Big Freedom (1990) where she starred alongside Hans-Joachim Kuhlenkampff as well as the TV film Der Preis der Liebe/The Price of Love (1998), a Rosamunde Pilcher adaptation.

She made a cinema comeback as Katja Riemann’s alcoholic mother in Ich bin die Andere/I Am the Other Woman (Margarethe von Trotta, 2006). In 2008 she was back on the Munich stage in the (non-Bond-related) comedy 'Man lebt nur dreimal' (You Only Live Three Times), which was especially written for her.

Karin Dor has a son from her first husband Harald Reinl, Andreas (1955). In 1972 she married merchant Günther Schmucker, but the pair divorced two years later. Her third husband was American stunt director George Robotham, to whom she was married from 1988 till his death in 2007. In 2015, she returned to the screen in Die abhandene Welt/The Misplaced World (Margaretha von Trotta, 2015) with Barbara Sukowa and Katja Riemann. On 6 November 2017, Karin Dor died in München (Munich), Germany. She was 79


Trailer for Der Fälscher von London/The Forger of London (1961). Source: Rialto Film (YouTube).


Trailer for You Only Live Twice (1967). Source: Movieclips Trailer Vault (YouTube).


Trailer Die screaming Marianne (1971). Source: The Susan George Channel (YouTube).


Trailer for Die abhandene Welt/The Misplaced World(2015). Source: Vipmagazin (YouTube).

Sources: Stephanie D’heil (Steffi-line - German), Hal Erickson (AllMovie), Filmportal.de, Les Gens du Cinéma (French), Wikipedia and IMDb

This post was last updated on 20 January 2024.

Der Letzte Mohikaner (1965)

The Eurowestern Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965) is one of the many film versions of the classic novel 'The Last of the Mohicans' by James Fenimore Cooper. It is a German-Italian-Spanish coproduction with stars like the Germans Joachim Fuchsberger and Karin Dor, Italian Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye and the Spanish actor Dan Martin as his friend Unkas, the last Mohican.


German postcard, no. 1 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas and Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas, the son of the Mohican chief Chingachook, rides over the country in the company of his white friend Hawkeye - known as 'the forest runner'. They do not know that the Iroquois, led by Magua and with the help of a white gang, the Desperados, raided the village of the Mohicans and massacred women and children. Badly injured, Chief Chingachook was still able to get on his horse and escape.


German postcard, no. 2 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas, Mike Brendel as Chingachgook and Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: In the 'Garden of Stone Trees', Unkas and Hawkeye find Chingachook who has been deadly wounded. Dying, he tells his son Unkas about the fate of the Mohican tribe. At Chingachook's request, Hawkeye takes the chief's chain from him and puts on this Unkas, who thereby becomes the chief. Unkas - now the last Mohican - swears to his dying father that he will take revenge on Magua so that the souls of the murdered can enter the eternal hunting grounds. He also vows to take a woman home to revive the Mohicans.


German postcard, no. 3 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Anthony Steffen in Der letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Magua, who has watched Chingachook's escape and does not want a witness for his bloody deed, chases two Iroquois after the wounded Chingachook. With a bold leap, the watchful Hawkeye succeeds in killing one of the pursuers. However, the second can flee at the last moment.


German postcard, no. 4 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Anthony Steffen and Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Hawkeye, the famous ranger, swears to his friend Unkas to help him find Magua. They want to atone for the act of blood. The escaped Iroquois will show them the way to Magua.


German postcard, no. 5 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Stelio Candelli as Roger and Ricardo Rodríguez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Magua celebrates his victory over the Mohicans - very against the will of the leader of the Desperados, Roger. Magua and Roger are by no means friends. They have allied only because they need mutual support for their criminal plans. So Roger now insists on fulfilling Magua's promise to help the gang raid Fort Westerhill. Roger demands the gold and, with a cynical smile, assures Magua of the scalps.


German postcard, no. 6 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: When crossing a ford, the money transport is attacked by Roger's gang and the Iroquois. A short but tough struggle takes victims on both sides. While the ammunition wagon falls into the hands of the gang, the surviving soldiers can save the wagon with the money to the nearby Munroe farm.


German postcard, no. 7 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Scene from Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Colonel Munroe, alarmed by the gunfire, and his men provide immediate assistance so that the soldiers can safely enter the fortified farm. Here he is told what happened.


German postcard, no. 8 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Roger's gang now turns to the farm. A hot fight begins. When Roger realizes that the residents of the Farm are not giving up so quickly, he suggests to Munroe to do a barter: He demands the money and offers the captured ammunition wagon as a counter-solution.


German postcard, no. 9 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Carl Lange as Colonel Munroe in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Colonel Munroe, an old former officer, is outraged by this barter. Nevertheless, he is worried because his daughters Cora and Alice are on their way to the farm. It's a good thing they are under the protection of Captain Hayward, who is repairing a bridge with his troop!


German postcard, no. 10 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: This is Captain Hayward, a newcomer to the west, but a brave soldier. It seems easier for him to tackle rough terrain than to guard two young women like Cora and Alice.


German postcard, no. 11 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The bridge construction progresses under Hayward's command. They expect to be able to leave tomorrow. For this reason, Captain Hayward has already sent a mounted messenger to the farm to announce to Colonel Munroe that they will be arriving soon.


German postcard, no. 12 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: As soon as the riding messenger gets near the farm, he is already surrounded by the Iroquois and Rogers gang. Whichever direction he turns, there is no escape for him!


German postcard, no. 13 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Stelio Candelli as Roger and Ricardo Rodríguez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The soldier sinks from his horse after being shot. Even torture does not make him speak. Then Roger discovers a note in the messenger bag.


German postcard, no. 14 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Stelio Candelli as Roger and Ricardo Rodríguez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: When Roger reads the news about the sisters' coming arrival, a plan matures in him: Magua is told to be a false messenger from Colonel Munroe riding to the bridge and ambushing the trek. Above all, Roger warns Magua to take care of Cora and Alice to get them under his control. He's sure Colonel Munroe will trade the two girls for the gold!


German postcard, no. 17 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Still from Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unter Magua's guidance, the group reaches the canyon of the 'Black Vulture'. No one suspects yet that behind the rocks the Iroquis are lurking, ready to attack the trek. A barrier of stones suddenly blocks the narrow pass road and forces the group to an involuntary halt. There is no road back. With ropes and horses, they try to clear the rocks.


German postcard, no. 19 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger as Captain Hayward in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Captain Hayward realizes too late that he has been trapped. As soon as they reach the boulder, they are attacked by a pack of Indians.


German postcard, no. 20 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger as Captain Hayward and Ricardo Rodriguez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The Iroquois not only fire with burning arrows but also threaten Captain Hayward with a knife and tomahawk.

A New European Film Genre 

Der Letzte Mohikaner, aka El último Mohicano in Spain and La valle delle ombre rosse in Italy, was filmed in 1964 in Almería in Andalucía (Spain), in La Ciudad Encantada, Cuenca (Spain) and in the CCC-Atelier in Berlin-Spandau, Germany.

It was distributed by Constantin, the German company which had produced the Western Der Schatz im Silbersee/Treasure of Silver Lake (Harald Reinl, 1962). This successful Karl May adaptation had lead to a new European film genre, the Eurowestern.

Harald Reinl had also directed the sequels Winnetou - 1. Teil/Apache Gold (1963) and Winnetou - 2. Teil/Last of the Renegades (1964) starring Pierre Brice as Winnetou and Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand, and now he was back to helm Der Letzte Mohikaner (1965).

Co-producers of Der Letzte Mohikaner were International Germania Film in Bonn, Producciones Cinematograficas Balcázar in Barcelona, Procusa Films in Madrid, and Cineproduzioni Associate Srl in Rome, so it was a real trans-European production.

Der Letzte Mohikaner was based on the historical novel 'The Last of the Mohicans' by James Fenimore Cooper Cooper, first published in 1826. It was one of the most popular English-language novels of its time and was the second book of the Leatherstocking Tales pentalogy and the best known. The Pathfinder, published 14 years later in 1840, is its sequel.

Der Letzte Mohikaner was the 13th film version of Fenimore Cooper's novel and there were still eight more film and TV versions to come. The 1920 version directed by Clarence Brown and Maurice Tourneur is well regarded, as is George Brackett Seitz's 1936 version starring Randolph Scott as Hawkeye.

The most recent version was also one of the best adaptations: The Last of the Mohicans (Michael Mann, 1992), starring Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye, Madeleine Stowe as Cora Munro, and Inuit actor Eric Schweig as Uncas. However many of the scenes from the 1992 film did not follow the book.


German postcard, no. 21 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger in Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Although the enemy is superior in number, Captain Hayward fights resolutely and fiercely against the Indians. When taken by hand, many Iroquois find death.


German postcard, no. 22 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: At the same time, more Iroquois rush in from the rocks and attack the remaining trek. Their arrows set the cars on fire. A hard fight man against man arises. It almost looks like this is the end of the command.


German postcard, no. 24 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas emerged so suddenly and unexpectedly that Captain Hayward initially believes he is again facing an enemy. But Unkas' peaceful gesture convinces him that he has rushed in as a friend and helper. While Hawkeye is helping the soldiers, Unka supports Captain Hayward in the fight against the Iroquois.


German postcard, no. 25 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Karin Dor and Ricardo Rodriguez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Now Magua intervenes. The moment has come for him to kidnap Cora. He ruthlessly drives her deeper into the mountains through rough terrain. But Unkas has observed the incident and is following his arch-enemy!


German postcard, no. 26 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Ricardo Rodriguez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: When Magua realizes that Unkas is chasing him, he brings Cora to safety behind a rock and shoots what the iron has to offer. He now hopes to get the last of the Mohicans out of the way.


German postcard, no. 27 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas and Ricardo Rodríguez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas takes cover. Yes, he even manages to stalk so close to his enemy that he comes into a duel. Just to save Cora's life, he refrains from killing Magua.


German postcard, no. 28 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas and Karin Dor as Cora Munroe in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas frees Cora from her bonds. Both immediately gain great trust in one another. When asked about his family, Unkas tells of the sad end of his tribe.


German postcard, no. 29 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin and Karin Dor in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas leads Cora onto a high plateau. This is the place where he wants to meet Hawkeye. He knows that Hawkeye will safely guide the rest of the small group here.


German postcard, no. 30 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas and Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The survivors are already approaching, the wounded supported by the unsecured. The sisters cry for joy in their arms. But there is no rest because the pursuers are on the trail. It is decided to resort to a trick to take possession of the horses that have fallen into the hands of the Iroquois. Here Captain Hayward is said to play a major role. His brave struggle against the Indians earned him the honorary name 'Harder than Iron'.


German postcard, no. 31 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The fight for the Munroe Farm continues. Young Henry wanted to get help and broke out of the farm. Bullets hit him barely a few steps away. Mortally wounded, he can save himself on the farm. Now the besieged know that there is no escape.


German postcard, no. 32 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: It is part of the List's plan that Captain Hayward draws the attention of the Iroquois. Hidden behind rocks, he shoots several rifles one after the other to fake a group of soldiers. In the meantime, the cook leads the small group to 'the garden of the stone trees' to bring the survivors to safety.


German postcard, no. 33 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The Iroquois storm the mountain: they are certain of their final victory, but once they reach the plateau, they become aware of the deception they have fallen victim to! Captain Hayward was able to save himself by jumping off the rock at the last minute.


German postcard, no. 34 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Meanwhile, Unkas and Hawkeye have come to the horses. They catch enough animals and scare the rest off with pistol shots. This gives them a head start on the Iroquois.


German postcard, no. 35 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Marie France, Karin Dor, and Kurt Grosskurth in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The chef has led the small group to the 'Garden of Stone Trees'. What a joy when Captain Hayward emerges intact and soon after Uncas and Hawk-Eye with the horses. Now they can leave for Munroe's Farm!


German postcard, no. 36 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Karin Dor and Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas knows every way in his country from numerous hunts. He leads the small group closer and closer to Munroe Farm on unknown paths.


German postcard, no. 38 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still in Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The fight for the farm continues. With horror, the besieged have to realise that the Iroquois army has now returned. Will they be able to withstand another rush? How long will the ammunition supply last?


German postcard, no. 39 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin, Anthony Steffen and Karin Dor in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Near the Munroe farm, in the shelter of the rocks, the small group makes a halt. They convinced themselves that the farm of Rogers band and the Iroquois is surrounded. But how can they get inside? Again, one falls on a list. As before the colonel, when he returned home, Unkas will wave a red cloth when he goes nearer to the farm so that you can see his peaceful intentions. Cora binds her red scarf around Unkas' arm.


German postcard, no. 40 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas in Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas rides through the ranks of the Iroquois undetected. Then he gallops towards the Monroe Farmgate. Only now do the Indians recognise their enemy and pursue him.

Story of the Novel versus the story of the film

The story of the novel takes place in 1757 during the Seven Years' War (known in America as the French and Indian War) when France and the United Kingdom battled for control of the American and Canadian colonies. During this war, the French often allied themselves with Native American tribes in order to gain an advantage over the British, with unpredictable and often tragic results.

The story is set in the British province of New York and concerns a Huron massacre (with passive French acquiescence) of from 500 to 1,500 Anglo-American troops, who had honorably surrendered at Fort William Henry, plus some women and servants; the kidnapping of two sisters, daughters of the British commander; and their rescue by the last two Mohicans, and others.

In the film version Der Letzte Mohikaner, Alice (Marie-France) and Cora Munro (Karin Dor) attempt to find their father (Carl Lange), a British officer in the French and Indian War. They are set upon by French soldiers and their cohorts, Huron tribesmen led by the evil Magua (Ricardo Rodriquez).

Fighting to rescue the women are chief Chingachgook and his son Unkas (Daniel Martín aka Dan Martin), the last of the Mohican tribe, and their white ally, the frontiersman Natty Bumppo, known as Falkenauge/Hawkeye (Anthony Steffen).

The other hero of the film is Captain Hayward, played by German actor Joachim Fuchsberger.

Ma Cortes at IMDb reviews the film: "This is an exciting film, plenty of action, thrills, fights, love and breathtaking outdoors from Almeria. Acceptable action sequences with rousing attacks and spectacularly realistic battles. Charismatic performance for all casting. The notorious Spaghetti actor, Anthony Steffen is good as Hawkeye and Karin Dor, director's wife is wonderful. Special mention to Daniel Martín as honorable Unkas and Ricardo Rodriguez as Magua as an appropriately villainous in a powerful performance. Look for secondary actors usual of Spaghetti Western as Frank Braña, Rafael Hernandez, and Chris Huerta, among others. Colorful cinematography by Francisco Marin reflecting splendidly the sunny exteriors from the haunted city of Cuenca and Almeria wherein the '60s and '70s were shot hundreds of Spaghetti Westerns." (Why Steffen would be 'notorious' is not clear to me.)

The film was not a huge success though, but the novel stayed popular. The phrase 'the last of the Mohicans' has now been used often proverbially to refer to the sole survivor of a noble race or type. In 2011, The Last of the Mohicans was parodied as The Last of the Meheecans in the popular animated series South Park. In this episode, the character of Butters, who has become lost in the woods after playing Border Patrol with the other boys, finds himself to be the 'last of the Meheecans' (meaning Mexicans on his team).


German postcard, no. 41 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye in Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: But Hawkeye already intervenes as agreed! He deliberately draws attention to distract the Iroquois and bandits from Unkas. The trick works. Initially unnoticed by the Iroquois, Hawkeye directs its pursuers in the opposite direction of the Munroe Farm. The way to the farm is clear.


German postcard, no. 42 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Colonel Munroe, recognising the red cloth, opens the gate. Unkas storms into the farm, closely followed by Cora, Alice, and the soldiers. Colonel Munroe happily embraces his daughters.


German postcard, no. 43 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger as Captain Hayward in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Captain Hayward gives the final cover to the riders. However, before he can get to safety, an arrow hits him; because the Iroquois watched the diversion. They let go of Hawkeye and turn furiously to the Munroe Farm. Captain Hayward reached the palisade wall at the last minute in the fire protection of the farm dwellers.


German postcard, no. 44 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Joachim Fuchsberger as Captain Hayward and Marie France as Alice in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Captain Hayward's iron nature quickly overcomes the serious injury. Alice is particularly happy about his rescue and early recovery.


German postcard, no. 45 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Ricardo Rodríguez as Magua and Stelio Candelli as Roger in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Roger is furious when he realises that he has been outwitted. He makes the bitterest reproaches against Magua for his failure. Since the residents of the farm do not give up, Roger makes a devilish plan: he wants to blow up the rock towering over the Munroe farm in order to destroy the farm and its inhabitants. Then finally the way to gold is clear!


German postcard, no. 47 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Karin Dor and Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last of the Mohicans (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The silence around Munroe Farm worries Unkas. But his natural instinct helps him recognise the plan. Cora, clarified by Unkas about the trickery of Roger's gang, watches the hustle and bustle.


German postcard, no. 50 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Publicity still for Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The Iroquois and Roger's gang are already storming the farm. A bitter struggle ensues. It looks like this is the end of the farm dwellers.


German postcard, no. 52 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Ricardo Rodriquez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Despite the tough fight, Magua was on the post. Taking advantage of the effects, he kidnaps Cora a second time.


German postcard, no. 53 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Despite the battle tumult, Unkas did not fail to notice the actions of his enemy Magua. He fights his way free and takes Maguas track.


German postcard, no. 54 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin as Unkas and Anthony Steffen as Hawkeye in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Hawkeye followed his friend Unkas. Both know that they are now facing a difficult path and will make an important decision.


German postcard, no. 55 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Scene from Der Letze Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas and Hawkeye watch the fleeing Iroquois as they ride into an Indian village. Magua and Cora are also there. Unkas decides to present his request to the chief, and Falkenauge is ready to stand by his friend Unkas.


German postcard, no. 56 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Unkas asks the old and wise Chief for advice: he does not want hatred, because he believes that white and red can live side by side undisturbed in the same country.


German postcard, no. 57 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Ricardo Rodríquez as Magua in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Magua also expressed his point of view. He hates the white people who have taken the country from him and his brothers. In every Indian who fraternises with the whites, he sees a traitor. That is why Unkas is an enemy for him.


German postcard, no. 58 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1964). Caption: The wise chief has heard both. He asked the great Manitou. The judgment of God is: a duel will decide about life and death.


German postcard, no. 60 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin and Ricardo Rodríguez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: The two arch-enemies face each other in a ritual duel. The guns hit the shields hard. Who will be the winner?


German postcard, no. 63 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin and Ricardo Rodríquez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Both, already wounded, continue to fight fiercely. Unkas succeeds in forcing Magua onto her back. He could kill him with a spear but his hatred has evaporated. Leaving the vanquished on the ground, he turns to the young man. Magua cannot overcome his defeat. He kills Unkas from behind by throwing a javelin. The last Mohawk collapses dead.


German postcard, no. 63 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Ricardo Rodríguez in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: Magua knows that his end is here. The old chief speaks to him from the tribal honor and grants him three drum roll lead to flee. But Magua does not move. After the third drum roll, the arrows of the archers knit him down. Besides Uncas he finds death.


German postcard, no. 64 of 64. Photo: Constantin. Dan Martin in Der Letzte Mohikaner/The Last Tomahawk (Harald Reinl, 1965). Caption: That was Unkas, the last Mohican. He won and still lost his life. The death of his brothers has avenged: the way to the Eternal Hunting Grounds is free for the Mohicans!

Sources: Filmportal.de (German), AllMovie, Wikipedia (German and English), and IMDb.

This post was last updated on 13 August 2020.