Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Widescreen)

Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround); English (Dolby Digital 2,0 Surround); French Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround). THX Certified.

Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Access; English Captions & Spanish subtitles; Cast & Crew Roster; Expanded Director's Cut

The Movie: Based on James Fenimore Cooper's seminal "The Deerslayer" and adapted from the 1936 movie of the same title, 1992's epic "The Last Of The Mohicans" is a visual treat for the eyes and a cerebral treat for the history buff in us all. Basic story takes place in 1757 along the Hudson River Valley. The English and French are dukin' it out and the various Indian nations on either side-- sometimes double-crossing both armies. In the middle is white warrior Hawkeye (an awesome Daniel Day Lewis), adopted son of Mohican warrior Chingachook (Russel Means) and his brave son Uncas (Eric Schweig). The three come across the beautiful daughters of English Colonel Munro: the strong Cora (Madeline Stowe--always beautiful to look at) and her younger sister Alice (Jodhi May), and uppity British Major Heyward (Steven Waddington), who was escorting the ladies to their father's fort when their escort platoon is slaughtered by the vicious Huron Indians, led by the maniacal Magua (Wes Studi). Naturally, Hawkeye and Cora fall in love. Naturally, Col. Munro is killed by Magua. Many more die in this war, but Hawkeye saves Cora while Chingachook kills Magua (after the Huron has killed Uncas and causes Alice to commit suicide). In the end, the lovers have each other and a new frontier to explore.

Director Michael Mann ("Heat"/"The Insider") has gone back to one of his best films and added 15 scenes to create an even more-intricate and textured story of the American Frontier. Technically speaking, this is one beautifully made movie. Cinematographer Dante ("Heat"/"The Insider") Spinotti's gorgeously-verdant widescreen lensing of the North Carolina locales are top-notch while Trevor Jones/Randy Edelman's beautiful score enhances everything on screen.

The Picture: The "Mohicans" DVD looks maaaaavelousss, dahling! Sharp, clear and clean. This is supposedly one of the last films that Fox will release without the anamorphic enhancement, but I really don't see the big deal if one doesn't have a hi-def TV to view it on.

The Sound: Here is where I had some problems. Mind you, I don't have a fancy audio set-up at home (...yet), but I could detect occasional lapses in quality (especially during dialogue sequences), but the gunshots, explosions, scalpings, impalments, smooches and that awesome score sounded incredibly-audible.

The Extras: Okay, aside from the expanded sequences and a Cast/Crew roster (not a bio or credits roster either, mind you), the disc has nothing. Nada, zip, zilch!! What gives here? It is said that Michael Mann himself decreed that no extras should be put on the disc. Why not, dude? A featurette, trailer and or anything else would've been cool. How about a human scalp? The lack of any extra extras is my only complaint here. But the Director's Cut does take the sting out (well, almost...).

Conclusion: Add this DVD to the library because I have a feeling that this'll be the only "Mohicans" disc around for a looooooooong time. Or at least until the next French And Indian War! Smile.