The Last of the Mohicans (1920)
In the National Film Registry
•
1h 11m
1757 war: sisters seek fort, captured by Hurons. Hawkeye & Mohican Uncas help. Who survives?
The 1920 silent film directed by Maurice Tourneur, The Last of the Mohicans, retains a traditional narrative based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel, but Tourneur explores the frontiers of storytelling through innovative visual techniques.
One key element is his use of montage. Tourneur cuts rapidly between scenes, creating a dynamic rhythm and building tension. This technique, uncommon at the time, heightens the film's emotional impact and foreshadows coming events.
Nature itself becomes a character in The Last of the Mohicans. Tourneur uses dramatic lighting and contrasting landscapes to reflect the emotional turmoil of the characters. Lush forests juxtaposed with stark battlefields visually represent the clash between civilization and wilderness.
The Last of the Mohicans stands as a bridge between traditional silent cinema and the emerging artistic possibilities of the form. While maintaining a familiar narrative structure, Tourneur's experimentation with editing and visual language paves the way for a more expressive and subjective style of filmmaking.
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