The Last of the Mohicans

Filmed in the Scottish Highlands, this rendition of LOTM is the most faithful to the Cooper novel of all of them (and there have been many including the popular 1992 Hollywood version which was markedly different from the novel in many places). Perhaps the next most accurate LOTM is the 1920's B&W version - though not nearly as faithful as this Masterpiece Theater piece.

M/T originally presented in in their first year, 1971, as a series of 8 episodes of 45 minutes each and later had a non-M/T version of 13 episodes of about 30 minutes played by a few public TV stations in the mid-'70s. The main difference was the M/T version had an introduction (somewhat flawed as I recall) by Alastair Cooke.

The 13 episode version (same as M/T except for intro) does exist - we are watching it currently on DVD. The double Emmy award-winning producer of this '71 version (John McRae) says that the BBC destroyed the production masters in about the mid-'70s but he feels it was one of his best efforts and also says that it was nominated for the Emmy at the time (but didn't win).

As a kid, I was moved by this version when it first aired in the 70's and again when I viewed it recently. The richness of dialog in the script and the quality of acting make this version my favorite by far. This is one for your bookshelf.

I remember this miniseries on Masterpiece Theater during the early 70's . I was 11 or 12 yrs old. I have never seen it run again. Can someone tell me if it is available on VHS? I have a reel to reel tape of the chase seen where Hawkeye says "Chingachgook, lay an oar on the land and we will double on the dogs". There was a teriffic drum beat to this. I recall the indoor scenes being rather low budget. There was a lot of blood and cleavage.

I have read the Leatherstocking Tales several times over the years. This is my favorite book from that collection. I have seen several versions of this story adapted for film. This is by far the best. It follows the story line better than any other version. I grew up in the Lake George - Glens Falls area of New York where this story is set. I'm also a member of the Boy Scout of America Order of the Arrow. This story is part of my heritage. I first saw this film series in the early 1970's, broadcast on PBS (WMHT). I immediately found it to be enthralling. Unfortunately, it was in a time before home VCR's were available. If I had been able to, I would have saved it to view again in the future. I have been looking for it on VHS for several years. I hope that it will be released on DVD. I would certainly buy it and I would recommend it to everyone that I know.

This is a superb version of this classic story. Well cast and well acted, its exteriors are highly evocative of the story's time and place: colonial-era northern New York. Although not as lush as the 1992 movie version, it is acted with more fidelity to the original Victorian tale. Hawkeye is more articulate, Magua more intelligent, the major and the girls, well... the major and the girls are more BRITISH! You'll enjoy it.

Originally aired in America as part of "Masterpiece Theatre" hosted by Alistair Cooke (sic).