Hawkeye's "American" accent!

Posted by Marcia Meara on June 12, 1997 at 16:48:01:

One of the comments I have heard made about this wonderful film is that Daniel Day-Lewis had a terrible American accent. Here are my personal thoughts on the matter: During the period of our country's history in question, what WAS an American accent? We had not even begun to fight for our independence from England yet, and I would imagine many colonists spoke with a decided English accent. Also, as Hawkeye tells Cora in the glade scene, he and Uncas learned English at Reverend Wheelock's school. I should think it very probable that the good Reverend was, himself, educated somewhere in Great Britain, before coming to the colonies. Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his near-fanatical research when making a film, and for living within character as much as possible. I don't think he would have made such a glaring error as to get the accent wrong, and would like to know if others have an opinion on this. (The webmistress of the DD-L homepage doesn't agree with my assessment, so I'm hoping someone else will back me up here! :o) )

Follow Ups:

• Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! E. Lane 07:17:01 6/14/97 (10)
  • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Tanveer Al Razee 22:20:35 10/29/97 (0)
  • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Mike Zeares 19:20:14 6/15/97 (8)
    • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Marcia Meara 16:05:39 6/16/97 (7)
      • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Norm Schmitt 17:22:51 6/17/97 (6)
        • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Mike Zeares 08:34:57 6/18/97 (5)
          • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Mohican Press 06:21:07 6/20/97 (4)
            • Re: Hawkeye's "American" accent! Mike Zeares 23:13:36 6/20/97 (3)
              • Re: Hawkeye's Susan Houck 18:50:46 6/26/97 (2)
                • American dialects Mike Zeares 00:03:41 6/27/97 (1)
                  • Re: American dialects Leslie Caldwell 16:29:24 12/19/97 (0)

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Comments:
: One of the comments I have heard made about this wonderful film is that Daniel Day-Lewis had a terrible American accent. Here are my personal thoughts on the matter:  During the period of our country's history in question, what WAS an American accent?  We had not even begun to fight for our independence from England yet, and I would imagine many colonists spoke with a decided English accent. Also, as Hawkeye tells Cora in the glade scene, he and Uncas learned English at Reverend Wheelock's school.  I should think it very probable that the good Reverend was, himself, educated somewhere in Great Britain, before coming to the colonies.  Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his near-fanatical research when making a film, and for living within character as much as possible.  I don't think he would have made such a glaring error as to get the accent wrong, and would like to know if others have an opinion on this.  (The webmistress of the DD-L homepage doesn't agree with my assessment, so I'm hoping someone else will back me up here! :o)  )


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