During the French and Indian War, Cora Munro and her sister Alice attempt to reunite with their father, who is a Colonel in the British Army. They are aided by the Mohican Uncas and the scout Hawkeye. But the treacherous Magua whips his Huron tribe into a drunken frenzy, and they commit a massacre on the British. Then Magua sets his sights on Cora, setting up a confrontation atop a cliff.
This one is a close call for me. The action scenes are spectacular, and the massacre sequence is incredibly savage. The exterior shots are beautiful, particularly during the climax.
My main issue is with the characterizations. It's easy to hiss at Beery and root for Roscoe, but I found their performances just adequate. Bedford appears to be in a trance for most of the film, staring blankly at nothing.
Theodore Lorch, as Hawkeye, is given next to nothing to do. The British officers, with their powdered wigs, look so much alike that it is impossible to tell who is who. Still, the film is worth a look, if only for those action scenes. The 1936 version, which is the only other adaptation I've seen, is better.
This one is a close call for me. The action scenes are spectacular, and the massacre sequence is incredibly savage. The exterior shots are beautiful, particularly during the climax.
My main issue is with the characterizations. It's easy to hiss at Beery and root for Roscoe, but I found their performances just adequate. Bedford appears to be in a trance for most of the film, staring blankly at nothing.
Theodore Lorch, as Hawkeye, is given next to nothing to do. The British officers, with their powdered wigs, look so much alike that it is impossible to tell who is who. Still, the film is worth a look, if only for those action scenes. The 1936 version, which is the only other adaptation I've seen, is better.