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| 329:question:329--week_3_questions_comments-2026 [2026/09/10 06:39] – 104.131.24.154 | 329:question:329--week_3_questions_comments-2026 [2026/09/12 18:43] (current) – 104.131.24.154 |
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| ======How does this movie work as a secondary source about the past? What does the movie get right about history?====== | ======How does this movie work as a secondary source about the past? What does the movie get right about history?====== |
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| In contrast to the recently previewed film, Pocahontas (year), The Last of the Mohicans is a significantly more reputable secondary source, depicting a series of historical events—such as the famed surrender of Fort William Henry—pertaining to the French and Indian War. Most notably, beyond the film's romantic subplot between the fictional Hawkeye and Cora Munro, it displays multiple instances of relatively civil diplomatic relations between the French and the Mohicans. A scene is similarly depicted through correspondence between Christian Frederick Post and Shingas, Tamaquea, and other Delawares, dubbed the Response to the Moravian Ambassador (1758): “It is told to us that you and the French contrived the war, to waste the Indians between you; and that you and the French intend to divide the land between you…Brother, I suppose you know something about it; or has the Governor stopped your mouth, that you cannot tell us?” - Bailee E. | The //Last of the Mohicans// provides a general sense of the French and Indian War, though the role of Native Americans and the war itself is mostly background to the love story between Cora and Hawkeye. Several aspects of the movie are historically correct. The French siege of Fort William Henry is mostly realistic. For example, the French did use thousands of Native Americans to bolster its forces. British Colonel Munro commanded the fort, used colonial militia to help defend the fort, and had to surrender because General Webb refused to send reinforcements. French General Montcalm allowed Munro to depart the fort with honor. Though the movie does correctly portray Native Americans as playing a crucial role in the French and Indian War, it does not fully explore the motivations of certain tribes for allying with either the French or the British. - Charles S. |
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| | In contrast to the recently previewed film, Pocahontas (year), The Last of the Mohicans is a significantly more reputable secondary source, depicting a series of historical events—such as the famed surrender of Fort William Henry—pertaining to the French and Indian War. Most notably, beyond the film's romantic subplot between the fictional Hawkeye and Cora Munro, it displays multiple instances of relatively civil diplomatic relations between the French, British colonialists, and the Mohicans. A scene is similarly depicted through correspondence between Christian Frederick Post and Shingas, Tamaquea, and other Delawares, dubbed the Response to the Moravian Ambassador (1758): “It is told to us that you and the French contrived the war, to waste the Indians between you; and that you and the French intend to divide the land between you…Brother, I suppose you know something about it; or has the Governor stopped your mouth, that you cannot tell us?” - Bailee E. |
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| The Last of the Mohicans depicts the social dynamics between the British military, British colonists, and Native Americans that existed at this point in colonial history. Early on into the movie there's a scene where the colonists are being asked by British military officials to form a militia and/or fight on behalf of the British army, but some of the colonists refuse, voicing that they're concerned for themselves and their families if the French were to attack them, which falls in line with was we learned in class about how at this point colonists were still yes loyal to the British crown, but now they had much more identity as self-interest in their respective colony. I think the depictions Native Americans in this film were much more nuanced compared to Pocahontas (shocker there) and having never seen this film before or knowing much about it, I was surprised to see that they showed the conflicts between the different tribes/groups, the Huron and Mohicans, and their different points of view when it came to the war. -- Grayson D. | The Last of the Mohicans depicts the social dynamics between the British military, British colonists, and Native Americans that existed at this point in colonial history. Early on into the movie there's a scene where the colonists are being asked by British military officials to form a militia and/or fight on behalf of the British army, but some of the colonists refuse, voicing that they're concerned for themselves and their families if the French were to attack them, which falls in line with was we learned in class about how at this point colonists were still yes loyal to the British crown, but now they had much more identity as self-interest in their respective colony. I think the depictions Native Americans in this film were much more nuanced compared to Pocahontas (shocker there) and having never seen this film before or knowing much about it, I was surprised to see that they showed the conflicts between the different tribes/groups, the Huron and Mohicans, and their different points of view when it came to the war. -- Grayson D. |
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| ======Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact?====== | ======Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact?====== |
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| | The movie fictionalizes, dramatizes, and sometimes simplifies certain aspects of the war and the role Native Americans played. Hawkeye, Chingachgook, Uncas, and Magua are fictional characters in the 1826 historical fiction novel by James Fenimore Cooper. While Colonel Munro was a historical figure, he had no children, and the Mohicans were not in danger of becoming extinct. Nonetheless, these inaccuracies are probably minor, especially in comparison to those in //Pocahontas// and other such films. For example, the final scene is one of many artistic licenses the director took in the movie but it is meant to be symbolic and generally works within the story's arc. - Charles S. |
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| A major problem with the films historical accuracy is that it changed or invented many characters and/or events for the dramatic effect the film can have. For example, Colonel Munro didn’t have two daughters (shown in the film), and he did not die during the attack(he died months later). The movie also exaggerated and simplifies the massacre following the surrender of Fort William Henry and portrays the Native American group in a more stereotypical kind of way than in the way the historical records supports. ——— Cait. Edwards. | A major problem with the films historical accuracy is that it changed or invented many characters and/or events for the dramatic effect the film can have. For example, Colonel Munro didn’t have two daughters (shown in the film), and he did not die during the attack(he died months later). The movie also exaggerated and simplifies the massacre following the surrender of Fort William Henry and portrays the Native American group in a more stereotypical kind of way than in the way the historical records supports. ——— Cait. Edwards. |
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| During the meeting when it's being discussed where to send Duncan, the comment is made about the British being "American subjects", at the time, the people hadn't been called that, they still saw themselves as British citizens. It also depicts the alliances as something that was just a quick and easy decision but in reality, then were much more in depth and complicated than first appeared. -- Shelby Hawley | During the meeting when it's being discussed where to send Duncan, the comment is made about the British being "American subjects", at the time, the people hadn't been called that, they still saw themselves as British citizens. It also depicts the alliances as something that was just a quick and easy decision but in reality, then were much more in depth and complicated than first appeared. -- Shelby Hawley |
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| | Throughout the film, Magua is deliberately depicted as the “savage” in stark contrast to Hawkeye’s “noble” characterization. Although I do appreciate the centering of Native American (specifically Mohican and Heron) power dynamics in this narrative, it is obvious that the film’s central and compelling conflict relied heavily on the concept of there being a “good native” versus a “bad native.” Truthfully, Magua’s alliance with the French isn't inherently "bad," nor is Chingachgook, Uncas, and Hawkeye’s alignment with the British inherently "good." In reality, both nations (along with numerous others) were choosing their paths strategically to maintain their respective interests and hold leverage against the growing existential threats before them. — Izabella M |
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| ======How does the film’s overall interpretation(s) deviate from scholarly historical sources (as presented in class)?====== | ======How does the film’s overall interpretation(s) deviate from scholarly historical sources (as presented in class)?====== |
| The Last of the Mohicans works as a primary source because it shows what people in the early 1990s wanted history to feel like—dramatic, emotional, and centered on a rugged, individual hero. The movie reflects the era’s interest in big romantic storylines and “authentic” Native representation, even though it still leans on familiar stereotypes. In that way, it tells you a lot about 1990s attitudes toward identity, heroism, and nostalgia, more than it tells you about the actual 1750s. -Alyssa Gomez | The Last of the Mohicans works as a primary source because it shows what people in the early 1990s wanted history to feel like—dramatic, emotional, and centered on a rugged, individual hero. The movie reflects the era’s interest in big romantic storylines and “authentic” Native representation, even though it still leans on familiar stereotypes. In that way, it tells you a lot about 1990s attitudes toward identity, heroism, and nostalgia, more than it tells you about the actual 1750s. -Alyssa Gomez |
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| To me, the film reflects the post-Cold War interest in the romanticization of the “American spirit.” The film’s high-production value, cinematography, and dramatic storytelling places a romantic “love against all odds” story right at the forefront and rolls out a film centered around classic American unity and resilience. While the film’s portrayal of Native American tensions and alliances during the French and Indian war is no doubt lacking, particularly in its reliance on the “noble savage” trope as a storytelling device for the political motivations of an entire group of peoples, there was obviously a conscious effort to shift towards more nuanced portrayals of Indigenous characters and their involvement in history. -- Izabella M | To me, the film reflects the post-Cold War interest in the romanticization of the “American spirit.” The film’s high-production value, cinematography, and dramatic storytelling places a romantic “love against all odds” story right at the forefront and rolls out a film centered around classic American unity and resilience. While the film’s portrayal of Native American tensions and alliances during the French and Indian war is no doubt lacking, particularly in its reliance on the “noble savage” trope as a storytelling device for the political motivations of an entire group of peoples, there was obviously a conscious effort to shift towards more nuanced portrayals of Indigenous characters and their involvement in history. Although, I think there is something to be said about the characterization of Hawkeye, being a fully white man played by a young Daniel Day-Lewis, and how that narrative decision came off as a bit "white savior-esque" to me, even though he's obviously not being played as such. -- Izabella M |
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| ======The "So What" Question -- Why should we care about the movie and its version of history?====== | ======The "So What" Question -- Why should we care about the movie and its version of history?====== |
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| | The movie explores epic frontier themes that run deep in America's identity and that have contributed to quintessential American values such individualism and self-reliance. It also nods to the French and Indian War as a seed to the American Revolution. You see this with the colonists anger at British officials for refusing to allow them to leave the fort to defend their homes. The film also relies on longstanding good and evil stereotypes of Native Americans (i.e. the noble vs. dishonorable savage). For example, Magua is portrayed as blood-thirsty and evil, though his actions were likely driven by the injustice of his interaction with the British and other colonists. He explains at one point in the film that the British destroyed his village and his wife, believing he was dead, married another, humiliating this proud man. - Charles S. |
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| Not only does The Last of the Mohicans garner interest in historical media as a source of information, but as an enjoyable genre, it simultaneously brings to light the French and Indian War as a whole through a digestible lens, engaging a general audience through its musical score—a score that I was particularly fond of while watching this film—compelling characters across both warring factions, and stunning visualizations. If we get to the particulars, this film alters the stereotypical perception of Native Americans portrayed previously in Hollywood media, as it emphasizes the grisly external and internal conflict occurring on both sides of the war. - Bailee E. | Not only does The Last of the Mohicans garner interest in historical media as a source of information, but as an enjoyable genre, it simultaneously brings to light the French and Indian War as a whole through a digestible lens, engaging a general audience through its musical score—a score that I was particularly fond of while watching this film—compelling characters across both warring factions, and stunning visualizations. If we get to the particulars, this film alters the stereotypical perception of Native Americans portrayed previously in Hollywood media, as it emphasizes the grisly external and internal conflict occurring on both sides of the war. - Bailee E. |
