The Last of the Mohicans (1971 series)

The Last of the Mohicans is a 1971 BBC serial, based on the novel of the same name by James Fenimore Cooper, directed by David Maloney.

It was shown during the Sunday tea time slot on BBC1, which for several years showed fairly faithful adaptations of classic novels aimed at a family audience. In 1972 it was shown in America as part of the Masterpiece Theatre series.

The series consisted of eight 45-minute episodes (at least as originally shown by the BBC).

It is considered by some people to be the most faithful and the best of the various film and TV adaptations of The Last of the Mohicans, as well as one of the best of the BBC's Sunday adaptations. Compared with some other adaptations of the novel it was made on a relatively low budget (much of it was shot in the studio, although there were scenes shot on location in Scotland) and it included some dated elements (the American Indians were all played by white actors in make up). However it was praised for the quality of the acting, particularly the performance as Magua by Philip Madoc, an experienced Welsh TV actor who often played villains, and Richard Warwick as Uncas. Hawkeye was played by Kenneth Ives, Chingachgook was played by John Abineri and Cora was played by Patricia Maynard.

Near the start, Chingachook introduces his son Uncas, saying "Uncas is the last of the Mohicans". After Uncas is killed, the very last line in the series is where Chingachook says in a sad voice "I am the last of the Mohicans".

The series was responsible for popularising the term "Mohican hairstyle" for what is known as a Mohawk hairstyle in the US, although it was actually worn by the Hurons not the Mohicans in the series.

This production was released on DVD, distributed by Acorn Media UK.

In 1973 the BBC made a sequel Hawkeye, the Pathfinder, also with Abineri as Chingachook but with Paul Massie as Hawkeye.

Cast

• Colonel Munro: Andrew Crawford
• Major Duncan Heyward: Tim Goodman
• Hawkeye: Kenneth Ives
• Magua: Philip Madoc
• Chingachgook: John Abineri
• Uncas: Richard Warwick
• Cora Munro: Patricia Maynard
• Alice Munro: Joanna David

External links

• The Last of the Mohicans at the Internet Movie Database