"The Last of the Mohicans" is widely known as a great film, combining a variety of elements to create an in-depth experience for the viewer. What is not so commonly recognized, is the amount of historical truth that is seen throughout the film. Although the characters (with the exception of the higher ranking generals) are generally fictitious, as well as the romance between Hawkeye and Cora Munro, the conflict between the English and French was indeed true. Its portrayal of the Seven Year War in America that really gives "The Last of the Mohicans" its sense of realism, which can be seen through its ability to accurately chronicle the battles of the war, as well as capture the general attitudes and appearances of the soldiers.
             "The Last of the Mohicans" is well-known for its epic battle sequences, but if we look past the aesthetic appeal of these scenes, we can see a genuine effort to accurately recreate the conflict between France and England for control of the American and Canadian colonies. Naturally, some characters and events are embellished to increase the entertainment value, but there is still a remarkable amount of historical accuracy throughout the film. The first example of this is seen during the French siege on Fort William Henry, and the battle that Hawkeye and his companions stumble into. In the film, General Munro speaks of the French "pounding the fort into the ground" with mortar fire from slowly approaching trenches. This is in fact true, as according to several accounts of the battle the persistent French cannon and mortar bombardment eventually lead up to the full surrender of the fort on August 9th, 1757 . The exact circumstances around the final capitulation may have varied slightly from what was displayed in the film, but the main fact remains that the fort was eventually surrendered to the French, and the English soldiers were sent back to Europe (or at least a...