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The Last of the Mohicans

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THE CLASSIC BBC DRAMA, The Last of the Mohicans, was originally broadcast on television in 1971. It is now available as a DVD for the first time is released as a two-disc set with four chapters on each.

Adapted from James Fenimore Cooper's evergreen best-selling novel, the series is well dramatised and thoroughly entertaining. It is considered to be one of the best and most faithful adaptations of the book and has lost none of its appeal over the years as the twists and turns of the story unfold.

The music is atmospheric and there is a certain 'clean' 70s feel about the execution and the acting, but this only adds to the attraction of the series and does not detract from the tension. A minor criticism would be that the first episode was a trifle slow but once it had gained momentum it was well-paced and we were hooked.

With Kenneth Ives (Secret Army) as Hawkeye, John Abineri (Maigret) as Chingachook and Philip Madoc (A Mind to Kill) as Magua, The Last of the Mohicans is set during the North American wars in the mid-18th Century when Native American tribes were caught between the British and the French.

The very different daughters of an English colonel from his two mar-riages — the eldest very sensible and brave; the youngest very vulnerable — make the journey to join their father at his posting. But they are betrayed and captured by the ruthless Huron guide, Magua, who has a vendetta against the colonel. Hawkeye — who scouts for the English — goes to their rescue with his two Mohican friends Chingachook and his son Uncas (Richard Warwick) who are the last of their tribe.

Particularly of note is the psalmist, David (David Leland) — known
to the Native Americans as "The Holy Fool", who plays an extremely important part in the rescue with wit and cunning.

The Last of the Mohicans is an heroic adventure with plenty of action, heroism and villainy. It is suitable for all the family to watch — the violence is mild by today's standards, but there is still plenty of excite-ment. Philip Madoc's Magua is suitably menacing.

A hugely popular and oft requested masterpiece, it is worth a look, whether you saw it the first time around or even if you've already seen the more recent film with Daniel Day Lewis. The Last of the Mohicans never fails to entertain and the plot is magnificent.

• The Last of the Mohicans is on sale now. Running time: 360 minutes | Certificate 12 | RRP £19.99 | Catalogue No: AV9609.

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