"The whole world's on fire, isn't it?"...

…says Cora Munro to her lover Nathaniel in The Last of the Mohicans.  The movie’s powerful theme crescendos in the background, overriding the canon blasts, musket shots and screams of the wounded and dying.  They hold on tight to one another through the bars of the prison cell, Cora pressing her face against Nathaniel’s shoulder as he grasps the back of her neck, tangling his fingers in her dark hair.  The blazing fire outside the fort lights their faces in an orange glow.

This is one of the many quotes—and scenes—of this movie that sends shivers down my spine.  I love The Last of the Mohicans (the theatrical cut, not the director’s cut.  There is a difference, I promise you).  The writing is wonderful.  The directing is well done.  The scenery is beautiful.  The acting is superb.  The music is gorgeous.  I actually grew up with its beautiful soundtrack.  Some of my earliest memories as a child are of being in the car with my mom and listening to the soundtrack on cassette tape.  When I was in middle school I finally watched Mohicans with my parents and instantly fell in love with Nathaniel, Cora, Uncas, Alice, Chingachgook and even Duncan.  I watched with bated breath as the romance between Cora and Nathaniel slowly unfolded (yes, I was even a romantic then!)—and I still watch with bated breath as if I’m watching it for the first time all over again.  I’m the kind of romantic who appreciates the conversation between the man and the woman and how that is far more important than anything physical that happens between them.  I also love when the meaningful looks the lovers share are so charged with raw emotion that they are more significant than a kiss.  This is the kind of romance that exists between Nathaniel and Cora.  Later on in the movie they do kiss, but that is all they do—the physical never overshadows their true love for each other. 

Mohicans is the type of movie that is becoming rarer in today’s world: it promotes the love of freedom, and liberty from tyranny; it promotes intellectual and true love over physical lust; it promotes doing what is right over what is easy; and it promotes morality, strength, courage, honor, selflessness, quiet dignity and integrity in man’s actions.  Nathaniel is the kind of man I’m very much attracted to.  I know he’s a fictional character but the rules of honor and integrity and strength he lives by are not fabricated, and I know that there are men out there who do embody those qualities I admire and want in a husband.  Nathaniel’s love for Cora really does take my breath away when I’m watching the movie.  He respects her as much as she respects him and it is from this respect that their love grows and deepens.  It’s truly beautiful to watch.

My family and I watched Mohicans earlier this evening.  It’s one of the only movies that I will lay still and watch all the way through without getting up for any reason.  I won’t even talk during it because any disruption ruins the poignancy of each scene—especially the last 10 minutes of the movie.  That last scene is one of the most powerful of any movie I’ve ever seen.  I don’t think I even breathe during it—those of you who have seen it know why.  For those of you who haven't seen it, it is sort of like Gladiator.  It has that power that keeps you captivated until the very end.  And just like Gladiator, you can’t just get up and leave when it's over—you have to stay and silently watch the credits and appreciate the beautiful music and the feelings the movie leaves you with.  Tonight was no different for us.  After the movie ended and the credits started rolling, my family and I were quiet for a long while, silently watching the credits and listening to the music and allowing our thoughts to linger on the feelings this movie provokes in each of us.

If you haven’t seen this movie you really should watch it—but make sure it’s the theatrical version, not the director’s cut.  You won’t regret it, I promise.

<3