| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Vee |
Posted - April 23 2004 : 4:29:35 PM
...since forever it seems. After I watched LOTM for the first time I did some research on the net and read on the movie's trivia that there had been a love scene between Uncas and Alice that Jodhi May's mother would not allow to be filmed. Soon after, I read the actual script and discovered that a love scene was in fact intended to be filmed. (Pretty hot and heavy from the description).
Upon reading Eric Schweig's interview with Mohican Press, he claimed that a love scene was actually filmed without problems from May's mother, but was then cut out of the final edits.
Soldier number 2's interview also hinted something about a love scene that was filmed in the waterfall caves.
So what happened with this scene?
Eric Schweig insisted that it was nothing hot and heavy as the transcript originally described. He stated that the scene they filmed was a puppy love scene; nothing more than kisses and hugs between Uncas and Alice. He also supports that the director decided not to include the scene so as not to take away from the lead romantic story of Cora and Hawkeye.
To draw a conclusion from all these different bits of information, I assume the following:
Jodhi May's mother objected to the love scene as it was described in the script. (Thus she was wrongly given the rep of being the one that prevented us from seeing more develop between the Uncas and Alice). In reality, however, it seems she was solely opposed to something so explicit portrayed on screen by her young daughter. A compromise was likely reached between the director and May's mother, and something more mild was actually filmed for the purpose of character development.(This being the scene Eric Schweig described as puppy love).
Finally, the director decided not to include said scene at all for his own reasons; which Schweig openly claims were to prevent the scene from interfering with the desired impact the main romantic theme of the lead stars was to have on viewers.
Does this sequence of events sound about right? Can anyone else shed some light on this very popular topic about the movie? I know lots of people (including myself) were always dying to see the deleted scene, but I am also wondering how it is developed differently from the script.
Thanks much,
~Vee
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - April 26 2004 : 1:03:30 PM
One of my ancestors, the youngest son of William Anderson, was born in 1763. William Anderson's oldest son was born in 1740. That's 23 years difference. Seeing that the Munro sisters did not have the same mother, a substantial age difference would not be so ususual. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - April 26 2004 : 12:48:15 PM
I would also like to mention that, setting the mixed-blood/half-sister thing aside, there are many, many full-blooded siblings in this world who look nothing like each other. That is the amazing thing about genetics. You can have redheads, blondes, and brunettes produced by the same parents.
As far as the mentioned age difference... in those days, children died young so frequently. There could have been several children born between Cora and Alice, who didn't make it to adulthood. This would create an age gap. However, I don't think Cora was supposed to be 15 years older than Cora, nor do I think she looked it. My guess would be that the difference was more along the lines of 8 years: Alice about 17 and Cora about 25. |
| Vee |
Posted - April 26 2004 : 09:19:11 AM
Kaya,
the age difference was tremendous, I agree. I don't know what the director was thinking there because it certainly came off a bit odd.
But... the fact that Cora was dark and Alice very fair has to do with the original novel. J.F. Cooper wanted to illustrate the existence of prejudices in the times. In one of the novel's subplots, Duncan expresses his desire to marry Alice, the younger sister, who is of all British decent, while Col Munro tries to convince him that both of his daughters are worthy people; regardless of the fact that Cora's mother is of Caribbean heritage. (Of course in the end, Duncan seems relieved to end up with Alice after Cora is killed by a Huron just before Uncas can get to her).
MM must have been trying to further exhibit the contrast between the two sisters with his casting choices, although, truly a wasted effort since Cora's mixed background is never even mentioned in the film nor is she ever compared to Alice with negative implication as in the novel.
~Vee |
| Scott Bubar |
Posted - April 25 2004 : 5:17:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Kaya
And they should have cast characters playing sisters who had SOME family resemblence....that really bugged me that Cora and Alice looked nothing alike. They also looked like they were 15 years apart in age.
In the book, they were half sisters. Cora was mulatto. |
| Kaya |
Posted - April 25 2004 : 3:27:40 PM
And they should have cast characters playing sisters who had SOME family resemblence....that really bugged me that Cora and Alice looked nothing alike. They also looked like they were 15 years apart in age. |
| Vee |
Posted - April 24 2004 : 2:30:25 PM
You know Kaya, that is true.
I cannot myself say that she was wonderful in the movie, except for the powerful cliffs scene, where she was great; really wonderful in fact!
The rest of her scenes though, maybe a little bit of an older actress could have done better, I do see your point.
~Vee |
| Kaya |
Posted - April 24 2004 : 08:37:37 AM
Jodhi was just 16 when this was filmed and Eric was 25, I think that would freak out any mother. I always felt that Jodhi was miscast in this role, she seemed so stiff in all her scenes. She redeemed herself a little when she took her swan dive off the cliff but I really think another actress - don't know who - would have done a beter job. |
| Vee |
Posted - April 24 2004 : 03:12:28 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LittleOne
maybe one day they will make a "special edition" and include some extra stuff! we can only hope!!
Oh we can only hope. LOL
If it is the case and the love scene is just a sweet exchange of carresses and kisses between Alice and Uncas then I would really love to see it; it would probably tie into the story really well. It would certainly magnify the motive behind Uncas's final sacrifice for Alice. (Although, I feel that it is good as any and quite clear as is now; it leaves something for everyone to interpret).
If the scene is much more graphic as in the script, I don't know how well it would tie into these two characters' development, really... It may be a bit too much to take in and fully appreciate.
I like to think that Eric Schweig is right and that it must be a nice and gentle scene that should have been left in the film.
Thanks,
~Vee |
| LittleOne |
Posted - April 23 2004 : 4:40:16 PM
I think your right..or atleast it sounds right..I really wish they would have included it though..lol I bet alot of others do too..maybe one day they will make a "special edition" and include some extra stuff! we can only hope!!
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