In the great literary pieces of our time, content, depth of character development and uniqueness are the driving forces in creating a classic work; but in Hollywood, sex, famous Hollywood names, and big money making schemes dictate the development of a project. James Fenmore Cooper created the character of Magua as the important antagonist of his novel Last of the Mohicans, portraying him as a strong, violent, cunning, yet extremely seasoned and weathered villain. Director Michael Mann's film version of Cooper's novel was, in many ways, not synonymous with the book's story line and presents Magua as a younger, stronger, and more treacherous character.
             J.F. Cooper's depiction of Magua can best be summed up by the nickname given to the character in the novel "Le Renard Subtil" or "The Sly Fox." Magua indeed is sly, observant, persuasive, and above all, cunning. Cooper writes "with characteristic stoicism...there was a sullen fierceness mingled in the quiet savage"(p. 17). Magua's ferocity and calculative nature could be observed in his own physical appearance simply through his quiet, sullen, and strong sense of presence in the eyes of those around him. With this inner strength comes also the presentation that Magua was no longer the warrior he once was.
             Yet his appearance was not all together that of a warrior...there was an air of neglect about his person...might have proceeded from a recent and great exertion, which he had not yet found leisure to repair...his eye alone glistened like a fiery star amid lowering clouds (p. 18)
             This description given by Cooper leads the reader to believe that Magua is much older, more seasoned, and more weathered of a human being. He projects as a tired warrior who goes against the grain and appears disheveled and exerted, yet still with a glint of the former strength, power and evil he is capable of.
             Cooper details very little abo...