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Last of the Mohicans...Hate to be picky...but... (1 Viewer)

Eric Bass

Second Unit
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Apr 13, 2000
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308
...but I really didn't care too much for the re-edit that the DVD contains. One or two minor improvements and some changes that I didn't much care for. What were people's thoughts in general on the new cut?
 

David-alexander

Stunt Coordinator
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May 28, 2001
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216
Hi
I also was disappointed by the new Mann's cut. I have this dts dvd but kept my AC3 laserdisc, which I prefer for the theatrical cut it is. especially the last powerful mountin climb-final confrontation part.
That's the whole issue with modified for video cuts: I think people should be offered the original and the modified cuts. It has been done before ( PITCH BLACK for instance but it's much less significant there ).
 

Joe_C

Supporting Actor
Joined
Sep 29, 2000
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710
What exactly did they edit out of that last scene(s)? That is one of the most poweful, moving set of scenes I've ever seen. I really hope it hasn't been adulterated by whatever the new cuts are
frown.gif

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David-alexander

Stunt Coordinator
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The song when they climb the mountain has been suppressed.
there are other small things but I can't remember exactly now.
 

Sam Hatch

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Mar 22, 2000
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Actually it's a post-Enya 'Clannad' song (a full version is available on the album 'Banba'), and I think its removal kills the mood a bit.
Which is why I'll keep the LD around still. Other than that bit, I do enjoy the director's cut. I think both endings work, so I can't decide for sure whether one is better than the other.
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Matt_Stevens

Supporting Actor
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Dec 3, 2000
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747
They changed the graphic nature of what's his name's end, when he get's it with that big, blue axe thing. That took some of the power away. I also HATE the deletion of the line "I think someday you and I are going to have disagreement." That was a great line and really showed the character's distaste for the man.
The additions to the film were all great. It's a shame we cannot have both.
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Mark Kreisberg

Auditioning
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May 17, 1999
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8
Is there any significant difference between the original DVD and the recent re-release in terms of the modifications being discussed. I purchased the re-release to get the DTS soundtrack but have not yet compared it to the original DVD.
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Paul_D

Senior HTF Member
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Jul 28, 2001
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I really thought the original version was one of Michael Mann's weakest films, and I ABSOLTELY LOVE Manhunter/Heat/Insider. I bought the new DTS DVD for the sake of completism, and remember thinking it was worse than the theatrical version. It just fells slightly lacking.
 

Walter Kittel

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Mark - I'm fairly certain that the two DVD releases of Last of the Mohicans contain the same 'cut' of the film.
Chiming in on the topic, I also prefer the theatrical cut. The new dialog at the finale of the film is just too 'talky'. For me, the leaner dialog in the theatrical cut was just right and felt more appropriate for these characters.
- Walter.
 

Gruson

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 20, 2000
Messages
494
Also, when Magua gets killed at the end by the father, this HAS BEEN re-edited for the special edition.
The new cut is not nearly as good as the older one IMO. I confirmed this with my old widescreen VHS tape.
I prefer the Clannad song too, much more emotional.
I cannot stand changes to movies I love (Star Wars Trilogy SE kills me).
 

Eric Bass

Second Unit
Joined
Apr 13, 2000
Messages
308
I felt that the song removal went along with some joke removal to sort of give the movie a bit more of a serious tone. You'll notice there's no 'just dropped in to see how you guys are doin...' or 'do not try do understand them..and do not try and make them understand you, that is because they are a breed apart and make no sense'. I'm not sure whether I mind the movie being a bit more serious or not, but I didn't like is how the new edit seems to state the obvious more than the old. The French General states at one point.
"And if I let them go, which I must, I fear I will only face the same soldiers when I march towards Albany".
And it's left there, a nice and subtle hint to Magua. But in the re-edit they throw on a bit more to be sure everyone gets the point. I also didn't care for the extended scenes during the meeting in front of the fort and for the removal of the line about one British general being afraid to come to the aid of another. It was that statement in my opinion that gave his reason for surrendering the fort. Finally, did anyone approve of the woo-hoo'ing French running into the fort? That just interrupted the building of tension while we are waiting for the British column to be ambushed.
The whole movie seemed to me to be dumbed down a bit and some of the characters (Duncan, French General) lose some of their appeal with the added scenes.
 

David-alexander

Stunt Coordinator
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May 28, 2001
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216
Eric
if you have the laserdisc, keep it. a ld can look awesome with a nice processor or HTPC (ATI Radeon or GForce 2 GTS) and a well calibrated CRT.
very happy to have both (ld and dts dvd)
I don't like when directors modify theatrical versions of films with which the majority where very happy with. The least they could do is offer the consumers, the people who make THEM make money, with options and not force consumers into edited versions though sometimes, it could improve an original cut (PEARL HARBOR might be an example in January ).
 

LDfan

Supporting Actor
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Nov 30, 1998
Messages
724
Real Name
Jeffrey
I thought the fort scenes were a nice bonus. The general tells Major Duncan to provide a diversion but we never saw it in the regular release.
Jeff
 

Carlos Mendoza

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jan 10, 2001
Messages
142
I'm not crazy about the changes either.
I *almost* wish they would've taken out the dialogue where Dude asks Hawkeye "How is it that you are going west?", to which Hawkeye replies "Easy, we just face north, and then real sudden-like, turn left!"
It's a righteous insult, but is way to contemporary to "belong" in this movie.
 

Jim_C

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Feb 6, 2001
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2,058
I liked the fort additions as much as I disliked the stretching of the speech at the end.
As for the Enya/Clannad song being removed, that doesn't bother me too much. I liked it but I can do without it as well.
MM shouldn't have toned down the showdown at the end. I keep my VHS version of this movie just so I can show people how the movie really ends.
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Tim_P_76

Second Unit
Joined
Aug 8, 2001
Messages
271
Real Name
Timothy J. Parkans
I don't see what's missing from the final showdown. It looks for the most part, the same. I was quite blown away by the new monologue. It reminds us of what eventually happened to every Indian tribe, they were wiped out or they were taken off their land. I don't miss the Clanad song at all..it did add atmosphere, but to me it was a poor excuse for a montage; very unecessary. I'm happy to have this in its correct aspect ratio finally. I had the original vhs of this and i dont think they quite understood letterboxing yet.
 

Justin Doring

Screenwriter
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Jun 9, 1999
Messages
1,467
I've only seen the "Director's Cut" once, but here's what I liked and didn't like:
I liked the addition of the British firing line with Major Hayward. It was an awesome show of the effectiveness of eighteenth century European warfare strategy that's often mocked by contemporary people who fail to grasp the "rules" of gentlemanly warfare that the Europeans practiced. (In reality, the massacre would NEVER have been sanctioned by the French.) I'm also glad Mann removed the Clannad song which disrupted the mood and reeked of commercialism.
I didn't, however, like the extended, preachy ending, the removal of some great lines, and the shortening of the final battle.
On the whole, I'd say the "Director's Cut" is a slightly weaker film. Mann's one of my favorite working directors (Heat is a masterpiece), but I really think he made some bad choices here (along with a few good ones).
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[Edited last by Justin Doring on September 01, 2001 at 01:13 AM]
 

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