Posted by Rich on February 06, 2001 at 15:24:09:
In Reply to: New DVD-Release of The Last Of The Mohicans ... A Review posted by Rich on February 05, 2001 at 10:33:56:
Oh, I just LOVE it when I respond to my own posts!
The new DVD is WONDERFUL!
Here's the difference ... DTS sound. Widescreen, anamorphic video.
The quality is unmatched. Unfortunately, with the system I have, I am not able to completely appreciate the sound advantage. The picture, however, is a completely different story. You have never seen such deep, rich, vibrant colors in your life. It indeed does look like a painting ... a moving, come-to-life painting. Gorgeous. You cannot appreciate this film fully until you see it. Honest! I just love it. The Burial Ground & the Magua/Montcalm Meeting on Lake George seem like new additions. The detail you can see! As much of an improvement the original DVD was over the VHS, this is to that DVD (no longer available, by the way).
OK, that said, there's nothing new on this release. It is the identical cut to that found on the first DVD release, for better or worse. Except for one little odd thing ... in the Huron Village scene, I could have SWORN the Sachem uttered a few more bits at one point. I never went back to listen again ...
2 things I took note of ... things that have been asked about here before ... One is that Duncan definitely gets shot in the head by Hawkeye. His rifle ball head wound is clearly visible. Another point in question I tried to solve was whether or not you can see Uncas' body next to that of Alice ... I zoomed to the maximum level ... I couldn't see him. In the process, I let the film run in the various zoom levels. Something I hadn't ever done previously. Always it was with a paused picture. I discovered that running the film at the 2nd zoom level gave you, in effect, a pan & scan, full screen image. Pretty intense.
Anyway, as I felt when I saw the first DVD release, this is a superior cut. I don't find the film "butchered" at all. If you can just distance yourself from the familiar, there's an excellent film staring back at you.
In any case, whichever edition you prefer, Expanded Edition or Theatrical Release, this high quality DVD version is well worth owning simply for the richness of the image. You haven't seen the movie till you see this!
And that's that.
: Received my new copy of the DVD ...
: Here's a review, courtesy of another fan at amazon.com. I couldn't agree with it more!
: "I didn't buy the original DVD Director's cut because so many
: reviewers chopped it to pieces. When I saw the DTS version coming I
: had to buy it, and I'm glad I did. I watched it for the first time today,
: and I can honestly say... great movie, great DVD. The filming of this
: movie is just phenominal. The natural setting looks like painted
: pictures. The cinematography is relentless, the soundtrack vibrant, and
: the acting is about as good as it gets. This is a great piece of history,
: literature, and film all in one. Memorable scene after scene is presented
: as this baby clicks on all cylinders. This is truly one of the most
: under-appreciated films of the last 30 years. It works as a romance, an
: action film, and a historical film. I saw no ghost images or other
: problems associated with the last DVd version. I'll leave it to others to
: search frame by frame for problems. This film was noted for it's sound,
: and the DVD dts only enhances it. From the first sequence (tracking
: the deer) to the final, exhilerating action climax (the fight on the hilltop
: trail) you'll watch this again and again. 5 stars!! Daniel Day-lewis is
: just incredible! Some of the action sequences (saving Cora, for
: instance) are examples that should be shown in film school. This is
: certainly one to buy. The aspect ratio is 1:2.35 for the reviewers who
: complained about the previous DVD issue. If you haven't seen this
: excellent film, and you love movies, this is your next film to see."
: Want a copy? See our bookstore!
: If we end up being able & willing to show the DVD at the theater (with the 35mm version ... don't fear!), this is the version that'll be shown.