' ' Cinema Romantico: One Man's Journey to Mohicanland: Photographic Evidence

Thursday, July 10, 2008

One Man's Journey to Mohicanland: Photographic Evidence

In my nearly three years of blogging adventures I have neglected to post photos, mainly because 1.) I believe far too much in the power of the written word and 2.) What photos am I gonna' post? I'm not a big picture-takin' kinda' guy. But since this week is all about celebrating "Last of the Mohicans" I would be remorse in not at long last quenching your photographic thirst.

As mentioned I made a pilgrimmage to North Carolina (i.e. The Tar Heel State) two years ago to see the filming sites but the bounty of photos from said voyage have remained tucked away from the general public. Today that will be remedied. I offer up a few of the more memorable pictures I snapped and, yes, feel free to match them up with images from your "Last of the Mohicans" DVD (since you sure as hell better own one).

This would be the image that accompanies the film's opening credits (I would recommend playing your "Last of the Mohicans" soundtrack, which I just assume you own along with the DVD, as you look at it.)



Remember when the British troops and our heroines Cora and Alice are ambushed only to have "The Last of the Mohicans" swoop in and save the day? This is the road (which is actually a foot path) where it took place.



Our intrepid gang - Hawkeye, Uncas, Chingachcook, Cora, Alice, and ever-whiny Duncan - strode across these rocks. And yes, I strode across them several times in the same manner as Hawkeye.



The waterfall where we first glean Uncas's attraction for Alice.



This is Lake James (representing Lake George) where a life-size replica of Fort William Henry once stood but, of course, stands no longer. Much of the film was shot on this location. The island you see in the lake is the same island the camera picks up as we see cannonfire light up the night sky and that is seen in the background of the parlay between Colonel Munro and General Montcalm.



After the big action setpiece at the end of the 2nd act our heroes flee in canoes and this is the spot from where they push off. Interestingly, if you face the spot and turn 180 degrees you will see a parking lot. Musket smoke in the film cleverly conceals this fact.



The two canoes in which our heroes have fled dramatically go over this very waterfall as they escape their pursuers.



Chimney Rock Park, where the greatest 20 minutes in cinematic history was filmed. This picture was taken from the park's Skyline Trail. The waterfall you see is glimpsed several times in the film and is the one at the top of which Magua meets his deserved fate.



Chingachcook, Hawkeye and Cora emerge one-by-one from behind this rock to see, first, Uncas merge with the infinite and then Alice do likewise.



The place where Hawkeye, cradling a musket in each arm, shoots down two enemies at the same time. (Boo yah!)



The rock upon which Uncas meets his fate at the hands of Magua.



The Spot. As in, The Spot from where Alice jumps. My personal Mecca.

2 comments:

Wretched Genius said...

Last of the Mohicans? That's the one with Kevin Costner, right?

Nick Prigge said...

You're thinking of "The Postman". I plan on visiting those locations next.