The Last of the Mohicans: Magua Sets His Ambush

Michael Mann's 1992 historical epic "The Last of the Mohicans" is a lavish reimagining of the classic novel--and it is one of many movies on our bucket list to review. In the meantime, enjoy this clip with some observant words from Magua. Plus, check out this original historical review from 1992: www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-10-ca-753-story.html
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Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform. For host Jared Frederick and producer Andrew Collins, these episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcome. The views expressed are our own and do not necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners. All original commentary and materials produced by this channel are the intellectual property of Reel History, LLC. To reach the Reel History team, email [e-mail].

[@blampfno]

"Magua said 'understand English very well'" I love that line.

[@samfisher2306]

Mine is "I have known you to be a Galant antagonist" 😅

[@timothybarham6374]

The music in this movie is a masterpiece, i love watching it over and over again!!

[@andycraddock7677]

@@timothybarham6374 I couldn’t agree more Sir. I have the entire soundtrack on my various music players. As an added way to enjoy the stirring masterpiece may I respectfully suggest that you search for- and then listen to any of the pieces performed by any of the world’s greatest symphonies. For example, I found performances by the London Philharmonic, the NY Philharmonic and many other great symphonies. I’m by no means an expert on the world’s greatest symphonies, but enjoying this masterpiece by a live orchestra imparts a whole new level of enjoyment and appreciation for this great music. If you have access to high-quality headphones, used with a good quality player only enhances the enjoyment and experience. Some 34 years after the film was released, I never grow tired of watching the film or listening to its awesome soundtrack. BTW, for me, listening to the incomparable Samuel Barber’s haunting, glorious “Adagio for Strings” (First known to me from “Platoon”) provides a very similar experience. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

[@dabears21ful]

"In case your aim's any better than your judgement"- great line ☝️💯

[@EffequalsMA]

Literally one of my favourite movies of all time.

[@pascaldenis506]

Me too !

[@zekesstube]

I've been obsessed with this movie since 1994. I was 11. I've seen it probably over 100 times. Love it so much 🔥 ❤

[@MichaelIto-h7v]

Same.

[@andycraddock7677]

An absolute masterpiece IMHO. Some commentators (who clearly know more than myself) have stated that the uniforms, military kit etc. shown in the film are not correct for a variety of reasons. I have no basis to question the validity of these comments, but for me it doesn’t detract from the film’s greatness. Beginning with the choices made in casting. Mr. Wes Studi as Magua was tremendous. And what else can I state about the epic Daniel Day Lewis that hasn’t already been done? A living legend.

[@bobromphf9644]

Wes Sudi had such a good role fabulous actor.

[@handellmodeste9320]

Daniel day Lewis spent 2 months in the wilderness just to feel like a frontier man.its a brutal master piece. Forever in my top 5 movies of all time.

[@coffeetalk924]

Similiar to the Tutaborg forest incident nearly 2000 years before when the Roman legions were tricked into walking practically single file through the German forests and ambushed by Germanic tribes. In open terrain the Romans were invisible, but they weren't use to the forests and gorilla warfare. The Germanic tribes wipped out 3 powerful elite legions

[@hansi-rl2po]

Magua is not the villain in the film, he just avenges the death of his family

[@tomservo5347]

Yea but as the old chief warned Magua, the hatred has turned his heart black and Magua has dreams of empire.

[@yeildo1492]

I am still mad that Wes Studi did not receive an Oscar for this performance.

[@DanielMcGillis-f3w]

He is a villain. But one of the best villains he is the hero of his own story.

[@seankelly1366]

I absolutely agree....Magua was avenging the death of his family..

[@vincenthammons-kd9du]

hes def a villain, hes just using his family as an excuse to kill innocent people

[@katiecanuk2951]

As a professor of 🇨🇦 and First Nations history, this epic film is one of the greatest historic movies to come to screen. (Tho, shocking to many, when I also observe this is a powerful love story. 😊 The ‘translation’ scene and Duncan’s self sacrifice is masterfully done.

[@ReelHistory]

We'd be happy to hear any of your input before we do a review!

[@ophirbactrius8285]

Idaho, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah; I really loves this Native names on the States of USA.

[@wakeoftheflood2]

I always like the line "My compliments sir, take her and get out "

[@darbyohara]

They’re just called Indians. Quit making up terms the natives didn’t even use

[@johnbaker4246]

I believe the correct term would be "Indian history".

[@samfisher2306]

Michael Mann is actually a great director. This movie, HEAT, ALI, Collateral, The Insider, Hancock, Manhunter, Thief, etc. What a resume!

[@230mps]

He didn’t direct Hancock. That was Peter Berg. I believe he was his protege.

[@samfisher2306]

@230mps you are correct. Mann was one of the producers. Thank you.

[@omnivorous65]

The movie is in the spirit of the book by James Fenimore Cooper, who was painstakingly accurate in his descriptions with a great eye for details. Finally a movie that truly relates to its source.

[@colliric]

It was more an update of the 1936 film adaptation though.

[@thundercliff93]

Rewatched this epic a few days ago. Can't wait for Reel History to analyse it!

[@anthonylim8865]

I like the way how they are fully dressed even when walking through the woods

[@robertlehnert4148]

Duncan's already a combat veteran, and his guard is already raised from Magua's increasing insolence, to just how Magua starts acting when they find themselves in prime ambush ground, Duncan reacts fast, but its still the wrong reaction.

[@AlfiaPennisi]

Love this movie

[@goodman4966]

Man I wish there was more French and Indian wars films since since they play especially the final one of a plays a major role in future events (IE the American revolution).

[@genx7006]

The events in Europe during Seven Years War are mostly glossed over, but quit a bit happened. I wish there were films about that as well.

[@ReelHistory]

There is a tragic shortage of movies on the colonial era.

[@thomasbraden8242]

​​@@ReelHistory have you seen April Morning or Revolution? They are decent and give different perspectives.

[@ReelHistory]

@@thomasbraden8242, yes, we did a review of it already!

[@griz312]

@@genx7006I’m amazed how important the 7 years war was and glossed over considering it was trully the First World War based on its scale and how it influenced many contries leading up to the American Revolution.

[@johnsalunek6249]

Brave men, unburdened by what has been

[@anitacarter9118]

Lol

[@kurtkensson2059]

The significance of the passage of time...

[@kettch777]

Is that Colm Meaney leading the British column when Magua turns back to get to where he started the attack?

[@michaeloneill1648]

Sure, looks like him. I even paused to get a better look, and I am in agreeance that it is Colm Meaney.

[@kettch777]

@@michaeloneill1648 Confirmed. He is listed as having played a British Major in the film.

[@michaeloneill1648]

Cool! Good eye on our part, as we thought it was him.

[@shadowwolf9503]

Love this movie !

[@andrewstravels2096]

British soldiers were trained to fight in line and in the open fields of Europe, not the forests and rugged terrain of North America.

[@filipbuskovic3373]

No one forced them to come

[@darkstarr2321]

@@filipbuskovic3373 The same can be said of the French & Spanish

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@filipbuskovic3373 Johnny Redcoat wasn't there by choice. Most of those men were pressed men, not volunteers.

[@ales811507]

​@@englishciderlover7347no, most of them were german mercernaries

[@ales811507]

where there are no guns and cavalry, it is not a proper battle, it is a mere skirmish

[@kettch777]

During the entire black powder/musket period of warfare, 1400s to mid 1800s, the British sadly never really trained their troops in non conventional tactics or learned how to deal with ambushes in rough terrain. It led to the majority of their losses during the Revolution, the French and Indian War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War and the Berber Wars. They were deadly in an open field or proper battleground, but they simply never could handle ambush by skirmishers, as this shows.

[@robertlehnert4148]

British Rifles, "Are we a joke to you?"

[@ThisNameWasntUs3d]

I'm afraid that this just isn't true. They did train to skirmish. They also adapted rapidly the the environment in which they fought, with great success, consistently. Aside from Monogahela, most of the battle the British lost in the French-Indian war were straight-up fights (Carrilon, Sainte-Foy) or running battles between Rangers/Light infantry and Irregular French troops and their allies (Battle on Snowshoes). If you look up the uniform of a British regular on campaign in this conflict, it is cut back, and adapts lots of lessons from native allies. One of the reasons why the British army WAS so successful was its ability to adapt. The terrain in the American War of Independence wasn't much different from what is seen in Europe, in the main.. the East coast was hardly the Ohio valley. Much praise is heaped on the militias of the USA, but in reality it was a pretty conventional war, and was resolved in a conventional manner. Not sure where you're getting your information about British losses in the Napoleonic Wars from, but the French were hardly masters of skirmishing that outmaneuvered Redcoats.. The British were certainly not out-skirmished or ambushed in the Crimean War. In fact, the closest thing to an ambush is probably Inkermann, when they were surprised in Fog (and the British won). I'm not sure what Berber wars you're referring to. British colonial history does have instances of British forces being ambushed, particularly in Afghanistan and the Boer Wars. But the idea that the British army was incapable of skirmishing is nonsense I'm afraid. Be careful not to make assumptions based on a) movie clips, or b) pop history.

[@darbyohara]

Yes they did. The 60th regiment was as formed specifically for American warfare. As were ranger units modeled after Robert Roger’s

[@chuckroberts3873]

Love this film.

[@rickrudd]

Hawkeye and Chingachgook took him to the cleaners.

[@theBlankScroll]

Lincoln's early years were wild.

[@rejanemariaferreira4562]

Por favor, vc poderia subir o filme inteiro? Gostaria muito.

[@johnvallsater4499]

When that trio arrives as rescue it still gives goossehumbs

[@beardaquatics9163]

Look at all of them just living in the moment, not a cell phone in sight

[@soothsayer2406]

They had really clean clothes and washing machines back in the 1700s..their clothes are cleaner then modern peoples. Their uniforms looks brand new..how did they keep so clean???

[@floriankirchmayer3254]

Diesen Film muss man sich anschauen denn das war echt ein Meisterwerk !!!

[@gilbertobertozzi7510]

The best movie of all times !!! 👍❤💪

[@firemasterx23]

3:20 the guy was so happy to see him too ;[

[@rthompson7182]

3:05 Colm Meaney

[@michaeloneill1648]

Indeed!

[@Pizza793]

This whole thing was a holodeck sim!

[@jonmcclane7433]

Duncan was the only Brit that could fight.

[@jeffyoung60]

The British Army of 1745-54 neglected to add hand-to-hand combatives for their soldiers. Some Jujutsu training might have helped. Someone else mentioned this. The Brits should have fixed bayonets. The redcoats were well-trained in using their bayonets like pikes.

[@curlybillbrocius25]

Now this is cinema!

[@spatadia]

I like how in every ambush in this movie, the first hit is always a melee, and then they follow up wwith a musket shot. 3 times they did this.

[@markbergemann1894]

Good for you knowing. Not too worried about it as far as the movie goes though. All time great movie.

[@carlcomo196]

In case your aim is any better then your judgment, That's what she said!!!;)

[@Wildwest89]

Number of problems with this scene. The 60th Royal Americans were formed specifically to fight French and Indians after Braddock’s defeat, they knew you fix bayonets and pair up behind trees by 1758 in a situation like this. Their knapsacks are a much later design, they would have goatskin snap sacks not backpacks in the 1750s. Finally the buttons on their gaitors are metal, in the french and Indian war these were made of horn.

[@Wildwest89]

Still the best French and Indian war movie

[@NielsenDK-1]

Did you really expect a 1 to 1 representation of reality?😂

[@NielsenDK-1]

​@@Wildwest89This is one of the few truly great films😃👍🏼🍻

[@ReelHistory]

These are great material culture observations!

[@NielsenDK-1]

@@ReelHistory They are not great, and they are not problematic. No one has claimed that they are not correct, and they reflect a lot of knowledge about the period. But they are unimportant in relation to the development of the film and its overall impression of authenticity.

[@IgnacyBobrowski-v8m]

Nikt bowiem nie stworzył do tej pory tak przyjmującego filmu jakim jest Ostatni Mohikanin❤❤❤Pozdrawiam moich Braci z plemienia Mohawkow którzy żyją dziś w rezerwatach💖💖💖✌⚘⚘⚘🙋‍♂️🇮🇩

[@NielsenDK-1]

Magua is the hero in this great film😘

[@helenreidt3315]

Absolutely....and Wes Studi is the best 'baddie' ever. Refer Dances With Wolves...knew he was going to die but made it a 'good' death.

[@simonfarrell6585]

This version is from the director's cut

[@atinyateezhyutck8911]

The music 😢😢

[@podsmpsg1]

Duncan should have given the order to fix bayonets.

[@Bogie0315]

Hated Magua, really like Wes Studi.

[@Twitchguy]

Lots of comments about how the British did much better than this scene in the war. This is partly correct but only when they faced French colonial forces, militia & French regulars or in static defense positions like camps /forts where they were able to use their artillery and defenses to provide cover to reload after volley fire. Against irregular troops & Indians they actually did very poorly for the first few years because the troops in the Americas weren’t their best professional soldiers but raw recruits/ minor colonial regiments and militia as their main army was fighting the French in Europe at the beginning. The British were also not using their Indian allies in the beginning beyond a few guides, trappers, and scouts because they didn’t believe they were effective fighting forces. It was the many losses to French Indian surprise attacks that changed their mind later in the war. The other factor is even nearly 100 years later even USA troops armed with muskets didn’t fare too well Against Indian forces ambush style attacks because the Indians quickly learned to surprise the enemy provoke them into firing at them while they took cover & then attack while they reloaded. It wasn’t until cartridge rounds fast reload /repeating rifles came along that the Indian warriors began to be at a disadvantage. Indian forces were incredibly skilled hand to hand melee combat fighters since they were trained almost as soon as they could talk to use melee weapons which British & even French forces had moved away from by this time in favor of volley and artillery tactics. As long as they were able to get up close in large enough numbers, once the Indian troops made contact with British & French lines they were extremely effective every time. The muskets with bayonets were only effective at repelling charges and charging other lines but in close hand to hand combat its length size became a big hindering faction. This scene demonstrates all this perfectly. Magua attacks killing 2 troops throwing the British off balance and reacting using their rigid formations and then they’re tricked into 2/3 of their line firing and immediately they Indians swarm them up close. The only British troop who fares well is Duncan a officer with a small pistol / club who only shoots when the enemy is close & as a officer / aristocrat trained extensively in the use of a sword a melee weapon for hand to hand combat

[@batesBeckham]

I was hoping this was the ambush at the end of the movie. The MASSIVE one. I also hear that isnt how it actually happened. Infact I do not really know this story at all outside the movie. Can we get a history lesson video about it? Also how is Magua not instantly dead attacking an entire column of soldiers solo point blank. I can believe he gets the first two, but to survive the next 10 seconds..no way!

[@katiecanuk2951]

The movie is based on the the book of the same title penned by American writer James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the 2nd book in his Leatherstocking Tales pentalogy. Set within The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) a global battle between (amongst many European nations) England and France fought across the NA continent. The military leaders, (attack on Fort William Henry are historically based. Lieutenant Colonel George Monro 🇬🇧 garrison commander of Fort William Henry, located on Lake George in the Province of New York. Major General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm 🇫🇷 and 7,000 troops besieged the fort beginning 2 August 1757. Using anglophone tribal names…There is academic debate as to First Nations Peoples or indigenous people in the Americas who were called the 'Mohicans. ' Many scholars believe Cooper confused or combined the 'Mohegans' and the 'Mahicans' into the 'Mohicans (all part of the Algonquin Nations) Tho driven off their land in what would be New Albany NY, through the tragedy under called the federal Indian Removal Act, there is a banded Tribe of ~2000 Muhhekunneuw (which would most closely identify) to mohican in Wisconsin. The novel is categorized as a ‘romantic historic novel’ addressing the conflict of settlers, westward expansion, loss of indigenous lands, and the tapestry of relationships created and cultivated within this region. As the title implies by end of this novel there is only one soul survivor of the mohican people.

[@renevalice3056]

very intense to see that because of the conflict of European empires within America, indian tribes turned against each other for mercenary profit and gain. when indian fought Indian, tragically; and thus continued to the days of Custer's last stand and Wounded Knee.

[@stonefox9124]

Waiting for Mel to jump out from behind a tree and scream

[@domagojgreguric6957]

Frustrating to see the British act and fight so stupidly, but it wasnt far from the truth. In the french-indian war and some other engagements they were totally crushed by the Indians (and the French). Some unfathomable defeats like the Braddock expedition. Against a smaller number of enemy. Not sure how and why they couldnt adapt their tactics. They certainly fought against *savage* enemies before, indigenous people in India or Africa or whatever. War is not a game of gentlemen even though it is shown that way. No mercy.

[@mattmcewan1980]

The battles in this film would've gone much differently if they had bayonets fixed, instead they are swinging their muskets like baseball bats which doesn't get them very far

[@ales811507]

Ambush the ambush is best military stategy agaist ambush.

[@DanielMcGillis-f3w]

No endevor is more likely to suceed that one that is conseiled from the enemy until the moment of its enactment. Mackiavelli

[@ales811507]

@@DanielMcGillis-f3w What ?? :) How meny battles Mackiavelli won ?

[@CountryballsAnimationPemula]

is this that 1800s war

[@davewagner5408]

Do you not know when the French and Indian War was? In the beginning of the movie it tells you.

[@LethologicaGaming]

Was this supposed to have some analysis attached to it? Its just a straight rip of the scene haha.

[@ReelHistory]

Sometimes we just post favorite clips as bigger projects are brewing. Stay tuned!

[@sandyrussomanno-iu3sg]

My ❤...

[@IgnacyBobrowski-v8m]

Kocham Ten film a jego głębię poruszający temat wojny pomiędzy Indianami a bialymi💖💖💖Jest on moją perełką jeżeli chodzi o tego typu produkcje od lat🥰🥰🥰💖💖💖✌✌✌⚘⚘⚘🇮🇩🙋‍♂️

[@davewagner5408]

The movie was supposed to be in 1757

[@robnewman6101]

I Pray for The British Army.

[@barbarossa1780]

Well, that’s not how you scalp someone. Nobody’s gonna pay you for that scalp.

[@James-w6x9v]

In history chief sachem poquaiom uncas of the mohegans .he a real person .we found him

[@АлександрКашапов-ы8ю]

Cool

[@DavidBarton777]

Bloody savages! Great movie

[@luckyluke4435]

My faworite❤

[@porksausage-t1b]

These battles are similar to the conflicts between Celtic tribes of British and roman legions also the roman legions and Germanic tribes in black forest interesting 🤔// hope no white British person or german takes offence to the comparison but thier ancestors fought in a similar way with a fierce tribal spirit against Roman armies who like the British were well organized trained as military disciplined units

[@CorekBleedingHollow]

Fine women

[@ales811507]

Great Brithish army, no one run, soldiers, Duncan, womens, they stey were there are and wait for death.

[@IgnacyBobrowski-v8m]

Bracia Moi Indianie czas ulżyć własnej niedoli zamiast zemsty Pokój ❤❤❤🤝✌💖💖💖

[@FrankMcDonnell-v1o]

This was an entertaining movie, but had absolutely no historical validity to British military tactics. Britain didn't colonize 1/3 of the planet by not adapting to the potential adversaries along the way, most of whom were then absorbed into the British military. Fighting in line served a purpose given the weapons of the time, but special forces troops were employed in the American colonies, notably Rangers, which was a British innovation and light infantry, which became elite units of every regiment from that time onwards. As to close quarters combat, British infantry were 21 year enlistment regulars, hard as nails and drilled and skilled with the bayonet, more than a match for lightly armed natives.

[@masonhancock5350]

Magua respecter +1

[@Pizza793]

magua is funny lol

[@AntonioTesorero-c3u]

Byo hablo castellano

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

44th

[@JuanMarioMartinez-wb9ue]

Yes Netsnyahou USA alliance. You guys were not killing the bads you guys were killing life it self.