Quentin Tarantino Has Avoided Michael Mann’s ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ for Decades
Quentin Tarantino is widely recognized as one of the most passionate filmmakers in the industry. Alongside Roger Avary, he has spent years discussing films on The Video Archives Podcast, often highlighting his favorite directors. Therefore, it comes as a surprise to discover that there is a renowned film he has intentionally steered clear of.
Michael Mann is one of the directors Tarantino admires most. He has described Mann’s debut feature ‘Thief’ as groundbreaking, noting that it introduced a new crime filmmaker with exceptional gritty dialogue and a remarkable visual style. Tarantino has also praised Mann’s crime dramas, including ‘Heat’ and ‘Collateral’.
This makes the latest revelation particularly intriguing.
According to Far Out, Tarantino disclosed on the podcast that he has yet to watch Mann’s adaptation of ‘The Last of the Mohicans’. Despite hearing positive reviews and recommendations from friends, he remains uninterested. His stance is clear: he simply does not want to engage with it.
The reason for his avoidance relates to the era depicted in Mann’s films. Tarantino believes that Mann’s work resonates best when it is set in the 20th century, while ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ takes place in the 1750s, specifically during the French and Indian War.
Tarantino’s perspective on Mann’s historical narratives stems from his criticism of ‘The Keep’, Mann’s second feature from 1983, which he labeled a failure. He concluded that period pieces do not suit Mann as effectively as contemporary stories, although he continues to appreciate Mann’s other works.
‘The Last of the Mohicans’ boasts a strong reputation as a 1992 epic historical drama based on James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel and its 1936 film adaptation. Mann co-wrote the script with Christopher Crowe, and the film features performances by Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, and Jodhi May.
Critics have generally responded positively to the film, which holds an 88% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes from 126 reviews. It also won the Academy Award for Best Sound, marking the only Oscar awarded to a film directed by Mann to date.
Empire has lauded the film, stating that historical adventure filmmaking has rarely been executed with such passion, solemnity, or excitement. Mann has released several cuts of the film since its initial release, though the variations are minimal. Far Out suggests it could be ranked fifth among Mann’s best films, following ‘Thief’, ‘Manhunter’, ‘Heat’, and ‘Collateral’, though Tarantino remains oblivious to this.
This situation highlights Tarantino’s reputation for having strong, unfiltered opinions. His podcast serves as a platform for such film discussions, and his past comments about Mann have often gone viral. It also serves as a reminder that even the most dedicated cinephiles have their blind spots, some of which are intentionally chosen.
Over three decades have passed, and there is no indication that Tarantino intends to change his stance. For fans of both directors, this adds an element of intrigue. One of the most renowned film enthusiasts has opted to bypass a Michael Mann film altogether.
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