“Michael tends to find what’s honest — even if it’s the most difficult path.”
— Madeleine Stowe (Cora Munro), The Last of the Mohicans
As the years have rolled by, Michael Mann’s 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans has been recognized as a masterpiece. Like Apocalypse Now and a few other films that stand up decades on, it was an ordeal to film, reflecting a certain level of obsessiveness on the part of the director and the actors. It was worth it; all the effort and struggle made for a timeless work of art.
This “making of” doco gives a glimpse of the creation of this fine, fine tale. It’s inspiring to hear genuine artists going deep in the effort to create a Story that is mythic, yet true — artifice that is authentic. That quote at the top from the magnificent Madeleine Stowe serves to stoke the fire…
The soundtrack must be considered as an element of the film’s greatness — with the centerpiece being Dougie MacLean’s magnificent The Gael, which is in the repertoire of virtually every Celtic-oriented musical outfit on the planet. (Correction for Mr. Mann — Scottish, not Irish).
David C Wrolson says
Thinking about what other films might fall into the category of a masterpiece that was an ordeal to film. Personally, I would put “The African Queen” there. If nothing else. it was an ordeal to film.
When you have a movie “White Hunter, Black Heart” made about the film, the original film probably has a place in film history.
JimC says
Unquestionably.
Jean says
I love this movie. It was so well done and the filming was beautiful. I agree it is a masterpiece. Great job reminding us of such a good film.
Vinnie says
Among recent films “Revenant” comes to mind. Would also add “Aguirre, the wrath of god”
.lane batot says
GREAT documentary on the making of this film! I finally got around to watching it all, during lunchtimes at work–I really can’t watch any film(or listen to podcasts) on my home laptop, as any such viewing uses up my monthly stipend QUICKLY, of computer time allotted by the system I must use, alas. And though I will most assuredly agree that it is indeed a marvelous and beautiful film, there is ANOTHER story, of course, regarding the filming of this movie, which I have mentioned before on this blog at times, and with another chance to tell some tales of the filming of “Last Of The Mohicans” 1992, I will try and relate yet ANOTHER perspective not broached in this otherwise good documentary! And bear with me, it must be done in increments, since my hunting-and-pecking is not fast enough to accomplish before the blog comment time limit is up! My one pet peeve about this blog……But on to the perspective of a Peripheral Xtra! Indeed, the watching of it dredged up SO MANY memories of that summer back in 1991–I was thinking, hey–these guys have all aged purty darn well, seeing as how that was 20 years ago! Then it dawned on me….SHIT! That was THIRTY years ago!!!!! It HAS been awhile, and though my own hair has grown much grayer, the memories of that strange summer are still very fresh in my mind whenever dredged up….to be continued….
.lane batot says
…..One thing about the documentary I felt in watching it, was that at times, this upper echelon of the film crew hierarchy, had to struggle a bit to only say positive things about the filming. I’m sure they had other thoughts and feelings that they either politely kept quiet about, or that were edited out! The interviewees were all definitely UPPER echelon–the lower ranks of this epic cast and crew have far different stories to tell, that are not so glowing!…..One person I worked with later on another locally filmed TV series, that had also worked on the LOTM set, said that in over 30 years of working in the business(at that time), it was THE WORST project he had ever been a part of! And this was repeated again and again, by other folks I met with similar backgrounds and experiences. This is quite the shame, because it NEEDN’T have been so bad, but was made so mainly by the behavior of one person, the Director(or perhaps switch a coupla letters around and make it “Dictator”) Michael Mann. As bad as the leadership was(in my opinion and many other’s viewpoints) on this individual film, which DID get completed, at least, and is there for posterity, there MAY have been other similar, equally great films of the period done to be available for our enjoyment and understanding of that amazing time period, but NO ONE involved, or that had heard about the conditions and treatment during the filming, wanted anything to do with further projects of the same sort with Da Furher! I heard that Mister Mann was planning a remake of “Drums Along The Mohawk”, too, but that NO ONE wanted to work with him after the difficulties of LOTM! A REAL shame, that….to be continued…..
.lane batot says
……Now, I will say, Michael Mann was EXTREMELY solicitous and accomodating to his upper echelon actors. Just not–NOT AT ALL–to the several hundred other living, breathing creatures that made up the rest of the crew and cast of this filming project of epic proportions! It was an extremely difficult job to pull off, and no doubt incredibly stressful, but the simple fact that this leader could show such concern for a certain part of the hierarchy, makes me believe that he COULD have been more respectful of the rest of his very necessary crew, if he had chosen to do so. And it would have taken so little effort to have done so, and reaped such great rewards. Mr. Mann kept being referred to as a “general” throughout this documentary, but he was a general totally unconcerned(or so it seemed) to the welfare or sensibilities of any but a certain few, which IS NOT being a good “general”! I’m sure some of those upper echelon individuals were often made uncomfortable at the disrespectful treatment and temper tantrums they saw directed(literally!) at others around them, even if they themselves were immune to such treatment. And I observed a textbook case of the old adage “shit rolls downhill”, since the unnecessary negative attitudes were parroted by heads of every department(with a few WONDERFUL exceptions! Like, especially, the LOCAL casting ladies!!!), and had a profound effect on most everyone’s behavior and performance of their duties–I was one of the few exceptions as a very peripheral presence , and a typecast–flippant Coureur De Bois! Very much like a fly-on-the-wall, I could sit back and observe the insane goings on of the crazy Yengeese, and not be in the least affected or inspired by it!…..to be continued….
.lane batot says
…..Yet, despite the many distasteful interactions I saw going on(and was most fortunately NOT a part of!), it was SUCH a GREAT ADVENTURE! Despite the many tedious, BORING hours one had to endure, as well. It was the FIRST film I had ever worked on–the local casting call in the area where I was working(Asheville.N. C.–although my home was 50 miles away across the border in Tennessee–I was used to commuting that far to get work to support myself and my critters, and WAS working in Asheville at the time…) was broad and inescapable, and having a HUGE interest in the time period and it’s peoples, and having read the James Fenimore Cooper novel many times, it would have been odd had I NOT gotten involved! And I had NO IDEA what I was getting involved WITH! I was always very glad I did, and I learned many good lessons from having participated, even if they were not all lessons about good things! So let me pop the Soundtrack of LOTM in,(one of the BEST things about that movie! And one of THE BEST movie soundtracks around, I think!) and tell some more tales, and perspectives of “Zee Grayteest oov awl zee eenveezeeball feelm couruer de bois!”….to be continued….
.lane batot says
…..One of the things that struck me, watching that documentary, was Daniel Day Lewis’s comment on how, in flying over the area where they were to be filming, he was struck himself by the immensity of the forest he was seeing; that he had never seen such a forest, and was contemplating just how things were going to go being SIX MONTHS in that forest! That comment struck home to me, because I had lived in that forest, roaming freely for miles over a vast, wild territory, for over 20 years! It was not something I would ever view with any trepidation or concern, it was my HOME, that was both my escape and sanctuary from the craziness of the modern urban world, and I felt safer and more comfortable there than anywhere! I feel concern and worry whenever I enter any big city, always ill at ease, and more than ready to leave and plunge back into the safety of the woods at the first opportunity! And I DID sometimes slip away from the crazy movie set, with all its quagmire of silly human politics, to bask in the peaceful greenery and dappled sunlight, that was always somewhere close by to the places where we were filming. Truly a nice little reprieve and grasp of sanity that allowed to me to continue tolerating the MADNESS of movie making! That is ANOTHER thing I do love about this movie–it DID do great credit to the mountain forest home I loved and knew intimately for so many years. How I long to roam those densely wooded slopes and hollows yet again…..sigh…..to be continued…..
.lane batot says
…..another comment from none other than Wes Studi(SUCH a nice guy–despite his role as Magua–in fact, all the upper echelon actors were all very nice and polite, that I saw, to us peons–perhaps to try and help balance out the tantrums of Da Furher! Or maybe just BECAUSE they WERE nice folks!) that I could really relate to, was when he described the filming of that massacre as being very REAL! It WAS! I feel so fortunate to have portrayed one of the few french coureur de bois amongst the more than three hundred Indian Xtras(we would likely all be computer animated these days, and therefore have no stories to tell!)–it was rather a bit of type-casting(whether they knew it or not!). I had flatly refused to be a uniformed soldier Xtra drilled and paraded like actual soldiers(in wool uniforms in the August heat no less!), and trying to be politically correct(which can be a good thing, sometimes) they refused to let me be an Indian Xtra–ONLY real or partial Native Americans on this production(well, there were those Mexicans that lied, but that’s another tale…)so I ended up being something in between! Which could not have been more perfect! And we flippant few coureur de bois had more fun, and enjoyed ourselves, better than ANYONE else on the set, I believe! But back to the MASSACRE……
.lane batot says
….We few coureur de bois(maybe 10 or so at the most?), and the three hundred or so Indian Xtras, cast from all over the United States and Canada(SO FANTASTIC getting to hang out with all those guys!) were trained by that Special Forces fellow interviewed in the documentary–he was an INTENSE individual, to say the least! But HE was a “good general”, for sure! He trained us to use the black powder muskets–no balls were distributed, of course–but plenty of gunpowder, and not a few powder burns ensued during the filming! He also organized us like a real war party, and taught us hand signals to direct our movements, so we could move quietly, like wraiths, through the forest. He was part(or maybe full) Creek Indian himself, and was very comfortable in the woods. All that stuff was SUCH FUN! Far better than the actual filming! But the day of filming…..WOW! We were such a menacing presence–those in the little grassy valley only getting glimpses of movement through the trees as we stalked them on both sides–I got to be very near Wes Studi during the process(virtually invisible on film, but that’s a coureur de bois for you!), so got to see him raise the war cry, and we were SET LOOSE! And it WAS a massacre! Sure, we “cut” and did take after take after take, but it was thrilling every time! And SOMEBODY really got hurt just about every take–usually among the poor English soldier or settler Xtras! Lots of powder burns, lots of blows from rubber tomahawkes delivered a bit too hard! I could write a book alone about the filming of this massacre!…..But I’m going to take a little break right now–my right index finger is wore to a nub!….to be continued?….
Rick Schwertfeger says
Fantastic, Lane! Great insights. The massacre scenes seem to have been thrilling to portray. Bravo!
.lane batot says
….The conversation over on Jim Cornelius’ Facebook page sparked another memory–regarding The Mann’s notorious tendency to not accept advice from others unless it had somehow been transformed into his own idea, something I was witness to repeatedly as a fly-on-the-wall coureur de bois Xtra. People had to grovel to get the simplest things across, which to me WAS NOT something that defined a good “general”. I tried to get a bit across on one subject myself, but failed, and was not surprised, at the late stage I attempted it, that it did fail, after having witnessed so many similar interactions between Da Fuhrer and his underlings. It began when I first went to the open casting call they kept in the Asheville, N. C. offices rented for the duration of the film-making. I went, NOT to get in the film myself, but to try and get a couple of MY DOGS in! If you know me at all, you know EVERYTHING is about MY DOGS! I was rather like one of those pushy parents trying to get their kids in film–I would have been so thrilled had a coupla of my dogs ended up in the background of some scene! A particular scene I had in mind was the Indian Village scene, which I knew from rereading the Fenimore Cooper books for years. And what Indian village does not have lots of dogs skulking about? I had two(a brother/sister pair of littermates) that were PERFECT for the part–they were 3/4 Siberian Husky, and 1/4 wolf, and they had the stereotype look of what most people perceive as Native American dogs. I had photosof them, and presented my idea to the local casting ladies(and I emphasize LOCAL in this description, the bigtime casting lady–Bonnie Timmerman–probably would not have given me the time of day! Not that I would have needed it, never being one wedded much to clocks….)…to be continued….
.lane batot says
…The LOCAL casting ladies(Teresa and Shirley–SUCH kind, wonderful, funny ladies!!!) rolled their eyes when I made my canine proposal and said that, unless it was something Michael Mann thought of himself, there was little chance of it happening. Still new to this odd way of doing things, I didn’t fully understand, and so did not give up immediately. HOWEVER–the local casting ladies very bluntly said they wanted ME as an Xtra! Seems they were having to scramble and scrape the pot trying to get enough soldier and other extras. I told them I’d LOVE to be an Indian Xtra–slap some war paint on me, put me in the background–who’d know? But NO, they were being very politically correct on this film, and only Native Americans were being cast–even as Xtras–as Native Americans. Which I could fully understand and endorse. But I had heard about the soldier Xtras already–how they had to wear uniforms and literally be drilled constantly like real soldiers–and I flat out REFUSED that offer! Definitely NOT within my temperament tolerance! They took my name and number and said they might call me back if something else came up. I DID get a call a bit later–I was hoping it was about my dogs, but alas, it was not. The first thing they said after identifying themselves was “Do you know what a coureur de bois is?” I responded with a ridiculously accented Monty Python quote, and the rest is history–I became ZEE GRAYTEEST OOV AWL ZEE EENVEEZUHBALL FEELM Coueur De Bois!….to be continued…..
.lane batot says
….And with more practice, perhaps, I will eventually learn to spell “coureur de bois” more consistently! Anyhoo–I was initiated into the Bidness as an Xtra(THE BEST Xtra to be in that film!), and started my observations and learning process of just how this crazy business operated. Before it was over, marvelous an adventure as it was, I never had any desire to EVER be involved in any film-making again! Luckily, those wonderful local casting ladies continued to call me up and got me involved in other things, emphasizing that LOTM was the WORST project they had ever worked on themselves, and to not judge the whole business by THAT! And so I learned, after doing a few other projects(2 films and a TV series) that indeed, show business is like everything else–there’s good and there’s…..AWFUL! As for getting my dogs in, I bided my time and plotted–it would all culminate at the Indian Village scene, to be filmed much later than the seige of the fort, and the massacre scenes, which I was involved in(but virtually invisible) as a coureur de bois….to be continued….
.lane batot says
….So my part in the filming was over–I had to return my well worn rubber tomahawke, and neato black powder musket for the last time. But I really wanted to just SEE the Indian village set for myself, and thought that perhaps that might be a good time to get my dogs SEEN themselves! I had a hand-painted(by moi) zebra-striped pickup truck at the time, with a camper on the back for canine transport, so I loaded the two prospects up, and drove to the set in Chimney Rock Park south of Asheville(where MANY of those most splendid background mountain scenery shots in the movie were filmed). One thing about my crazy zebra truck–I could park that thing ANYWHERE, and no one ever begged to question it–it looked so, so–I don’t know the exact word, just weird enough to best not question! Nobody ever did, all the years I had it and parked illegally in so many places! I brazenly parked right in some VIP parking, planning to say I was there to show The Mann some dogs, which was not a lie, it’s just that I really had no official permission to do so! But then, that is typically uppity behavior for a coureur de bois, and I was still very much in character(still am, in fact!). So I leashed my two wolf dogs(they WERE highly socialized animals, with official Obedience Degrees, and were sled/cart/pack trained to boot), and headed up that steep, steep mountain to the Indian village site…to be continued…
.lane batot says
….Almost from the moment I arrived at the Indian village, I was approached by all manner of people–animals have that sort of attraction, of course. And the two large, beautiful wolfish-looking dogs I had with me certainly drew attention(as I had hoped–photos are not nearly as effective as the real thing….) One of the first people to approach was none other than the very congenial Italian Director of Photography, Dante Spinotti! “I WANT those dogs!!!” he nearly shouted! Well, AT LAST, there were some folks who understood the value and accuracy of having some dogs in the background! “Let me talk to the Director–will you wait around?” I told him that’s the reason I was there! Plus, that gave me time to check out the Indian village, which I had wanted to do. Turns out, I had LOTS of time to look around. Hours and hours passed, no one came back with any decisions made by Da Fuhrer. He left, in fact, to go back down the mountain for something to eat. Meanwhile, I still had an interesting time checking things out. I WAS rather disappointed when I discovered the bark longhouses, though truly made of bark(rather smaller strips than the Indians had access to in the old days, alas) were merely fronts–the backsides of which were just 2″x 4″ frameworks. I was mobbed by the Indian actors and Xtras, who LOVED my dogs, and all wanted to pet them, many saying they had similar dogs back home on their reservations. Being so well socialized, my dogs enjoyed all the attention very much! At one point, though, my female felt the call of Nature, and pooped a huge poop right in the middle of the Indian village street! I quickly kicked a hole in the dirt with my heel, and shoved to poo unobtrusively into it, and covered it back up, hoping none of the Big Stars would step right in that spot during the upcoming filming. It was a bit squishy there….to be continued…
.lane batot says
….Well, after many hours(virtually all day) waiting, it was getting dark, and I had to go; lots of dogs and other livestock to feed, along with the two I had with me. I just figured Mister Spinotti made the mistake of asking about the dogs without trying to make it His Highness’s idea–a losing proposition to be sure. Mister Spinotti, by the way, was the SECOND Director of Photography The Mann had hired. The first(forget his name–although I think he still got credit film) quit in frustration after fighting so much with you-know-who. Anyway, as I was wending my way down the mountain, guess who we bumped into? Yup, none other than Da Fuhrer himself, coming back up to the set after having had his meal. Just us, alone in the darkening mountains! OF COURSE he saw us–we almost had to stumble over each otherin passing on the narrow road . Did he acknowledge my presence, and say anything slightly civil like–“sorry I kept you waiting, but I’ve decided not to use your dogs.” or even a nod of the head or perhaps rude, curt reply regarding my unofficial presence there? NADA. He looked AWAY as if we were not even there. I felt my dogs stiffen somewhat, which I thought was telling. I had experienced this before, once again meeting him alone on trails going back and forth from the mess tents during the filming of the massacre, when I was dressed as a coureur de bois. I nodded and said “howdy” in a non-committal way in passing–he did not even acknowledge my presence. Now maybe I’m just Southern bred and raised, and grew up with stories like Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby, but that’s just plain RUDE! I realized that with THAT response,that I was witnessing again, I was wasting both his(not much) and my time, so I and the dogs continued down the mountain, never to return. Later, in the film, I DID hear, in the background noises of the Indian village, the sounds of dogs barking. And I wondered, had I given the detail obsessed Director an idea? I’m sure no one will ever know the truth to that…..