The LAST OF THE MOHICANS ... the Final Scene

[FADE IN

EXTERIOR - MOUNTAIN TOP - WIDE REAR SHOT - NEXT DAY

Chingachgook's at the edge, facing the endless rolling forests to the west. A haze of sunlight illuminates silver and lead clouds. Hawkeye is a little apart, watching his father.

HAWKEYE'S POV: CHINGACHGOOK

speaks to the sky.]

CHINGACHGOOK: [Mohican] Great Spirit and the Maker of all Life ...

[ON HAWKEYE & CHINGACHGOOK

We HEAR Hawkeye's English translation in VOICE OVER:]

CHINGACHGOOK/HAWKEYE (V.O.): [in English] ... a warrior goes to you swift and straight as an arrow shot into the sun. Welcome him and let him take his place at the council fire of my people. [pause] He is Uncas, my son. [pause] Bid them patience and ask death for speed; for they are all there but one - I, Chingachgook - Last of the Mohicans.

[Chingachgook's hands drop to his sides. He lets out his breath with a weariness. His eyes seek Hawkeye's. They hold ...

CORA

is standing, her back to us, in front of a rock-covered grave with a wooden cross. Next to it is Uncas' burial platform. Cora [says a] silent prayer. Then she pauses, crosses herself. Her emotions are spent. She moves next to Hawkeye. He takes her hand.

HAWKEYE & CORA]

HAWKEYE: Will you go back to England?

CORA: I have nothing to go back for.

[Long pause.]

HAWKEYE: Then will you stay in America?

[She turns to face him.]

HAWKEYE: And will you be my wife?

[Pause.]

CORA: Yes.

[They hold each other's eyes. She searches his face.]

CORA: Where will we go?

HAWKEYE: Winter with the Delaware, my father's cousins. And in the spring, cross the Ohio and look for land to settle with my father in a new place called Can-tuck-ee.

[They move next to Chingachgook. He senses they're beside him. Hawkeye's arm is around her shoulders.]

CHINGACHGOOK: The frontier moves with the sun and pushes the red man of the wilderness forests in front of it. Until one day there will be nowhere left. Then our race will be no more, or be not us ... The frontier place is for people like my white son and his woman and their children.

HAWKEYE: That's my father's sadness talking.

[Hawkeye puts a hand on his shoulder.]

CHINGACHGOOK: No. It is true ... One day ... there will be no more frontier. Then men like you will go, too. Like the Mohicans. [pause] And new people will come. Work. Struggle to make their light ... One mystery remains.

HAWKEYE: What is that?

[Cora, listening to Chingachgook, takes Hawkeye's hand.]

CHINGACHGOOK: Will there be anything left to show the world that we ever did exist?

[REAR SHOT

Cora stands next to her man. Hawkeye puts his arm around his father. They stare out over the wilderness.]

THE END

Note: We suspect this scene was shot pretty much as described here, though it greatly differs from the final result. If you watch closely, it appears the characters are speaking to one another. Good use of rear shots & film cuts makes it difficult to discern. What do you think?

MOVE ON TO:

MOHICAN MUSINGS INDEX

HISTORY & THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS ... Seeing Through the Distant Haze

MOHICANLAND LINKS ... To Other Sites

HOW TO PURCHASE THE BOOK ... Ordering Information