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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 117 min.

- Subtitles: English, Spanish

- Menus: Animated
- Scene selection: Static

- Package: Keep case
- THX Digitally Mastered 
     with THX Optimode

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen

- Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Audio Features:

- English: DTS 5.1

- English: Dolby Digital 5.1

- English: Dolby Surround

- French: Dolby Surround

Bonus Materials:

- Cast listing
- THX Optimode: home theater 
     optimization feature

   
Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:         1992

DVD Release:              01/23/01

Review Date:               01/10/01

List price:                     $ 29.98

On-line price:               $ 20.99

Pre-order price was:    $ 19.99

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe,
   Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Steven Waddington, 
   Wes Studi, Maurice Roëves, and Jodhi May

Directors: Michael Mann

MPAA Rating: R

Genre: Epic - Action - Adventure - Romance

Studio: 20th Century Fox (Fox Home Entertainment)

Movie: A+        Video: A        Audio: A        Extras: D

Summary: "The Last of the Mohicans" is a wonderful period film set in colonial 
   America.  It is a beautifully told story of survival, love, honor, and redemption.  
   This is one of my favorite films of all time.  This DVD re-release as a director's 
   expanded edition comes with additional footage, THX certification, anamorphic 
   widescreen, and DTS 5.1 surround sound.  All these features does justice to the 
   beautiful story, breathtaking cinematography, and engaging soundtrack.

The Story

The year is 1757, a period of war between the British and French for control of the American continent.  The British seeks support of the colonial militia to help them oust the French from North America.  The colonials willingly sign up to serve as members of the colonial militia with the condition that they are free to leave if their colonial homes are threatened. 

Nathaniel Poe or "Hawkeye" (Daniel Day-Lewis) is the white adopted son of Chingachgook (Russell Means).  Together with Chingachgook's blood son, Uncas (Eric Schweig), they head west into the frontier past the Hudson River towards Can-tuc-kee.  Along the way, they rescue the beautiful daughters of Colonel Munro (Maurice Roëves), Cora (Madeleine Stowe) and Alice (Jodhi May), from an ambush by the Huron warriors while traveling to meet their father at Fort William Henry.  They volunteer to escort the sisters and Major Heyward (Steven Waddington) to Fort William Henry.

On their way, they come across the aftermath of cold-blooded murders against their colonial friends.  Realizing it was a Huron war party, "Hawkeye" warns the colonial militia men stationed at Fort William Henry of the impending threat on their colonial homes and helps a few of them escape, after Colonel Munro issues an order against letting the colonial militia men go free.  Along the way, "Hawkeye" and Cora fall for one another.  For going against Colonel Munro's direct orders, "Hawkeye" is imprisoned for sedition.

Meanwhile, the French continues their relentless effort to overtake Fort William Henry.  This awesome and realistic battle sequence is a fine piece of epic movie making.  Eventually, realizing that it is hopeless, Colonel Munro surrenders his troops under the generous conditions of the French.  But it's not that simple since the leader of the Huron warriors, Magua (Wes Studi), vows vengeance on Colonel Munro ("The Grey Hair") and his daughters.  We'll leave it at that so you can enjoy the rest of the movie.

The Extras

There are really no extra material in this re-release.  I wouldn't go as far as calling the "cast listing" a bonus feature.  With the THX certification, there is a THX Optimode feature that is used to calibrate the video and audio settings of your home theater system to match the THX standards to which this DVD was digitally mastered.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this THX digitally mastered anamorphic widescreen DVD is excellent.  The colors are accurate and saturated, while shadow details are well rendered.  The stunning image quality pays tribute to the beautiful cinematography.  

This DVD comes with a number of soundtracks, including both DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1.  Both 5.1-channel surround sound formats are well balanced and effective.  The surround channels were aggressively used during the battle at Fort William Henry (Chapter 11) -- you can hear the battle sound effects all around you.  This film has one of the best sound effects for canon shots and gun shots I have yet heard.  As you may guess, I prefer the DTS soundtrack.  It simply sounds better and does justice to both the wonderful music score and sound effects.  

Recommendation

"The Last of the Mohicans" is a beautifully told story of survival, love, honor, and redemption.  This THX digitally mastered DVD with DTS Digital Surround soundtrack is simply a marvelous treat for the eyes and ears.  This is one movie you should not miss.  While there are no bonus features to speak of, the picture and sound quality makes this a top notch DVD transfer for collectors.

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