MUBI

It’s August 1757 and the British are trying to defend their colonies from the French; the French have allies in the Huron while the British have allies in the colonialists and the Iroquois, but poor governing practices and colonialist frustration are building and planting the seeds for future insurrection. Michael Mann’s adaptation of Cooper’s controversial American standard is heavy with politics, dividing up this crucial period in American history like a three or four way game of Chinese Checkers, with the Indians and their furs and trading posts as the catalyst to larger international game. The recreation is beautiful and authentic, especially the Huron sneak attack on the retreating British, and the lyrical, haunting Celtic finale, and Daniel Day-Lewis (always superb) and Madeleine Stowe find time for a melodramatic, sexy romance in between all of the heated debates and retreats.