Last of the Mohicans is one of three Michael Mann films that seems to be overlooked. The other two are The Insider, a timeless critique of journalism and special interests, and The Keep, which is getting a bit of a reappraisal thanks to Vinegar Syndrome.

Trevor Jones takes The Gael by Dougie MacLean and rearranges it. The lonely violin expands into a full blown orchestra to form this monstrous, sweeping arrangement. No small feat, as the original score was purely an electronic one. Trevor Jones was a fan of electronic music, and no stranger to orchestral arrangements, as witnessed on his beautiful music for The Dark Crystal and the eerie atmospheres he weaved on Excalibur.

Michael Mann takes enough of the book to keep the film pacy, but never too frantic for its detriment. Like any Mann joint, the action is perfectly choreographed, you have a great spatial awareness of every character and the majestic, lush landscapes are almost another character. Michael Mann loves to make to breathe life into the surroundings, like he did for LA in both Heat and Collateral.

Daniel Day Lewis is on peak form here, but then again, when isn’t he? Crazy that the next two films he did were both underrated 90s classics: Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence and Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father (another Trevor Jones soundtrack!)

Trevor Jones sorta re-used the motif for Cliffhanger, but it matters not, it’s also a great soundtrack and a great 90s actioneer. Perhaps a double feature to test your audio set up?

I’m rambling again. Sorry.

-Sam J. Valdés López