Last of the Mohicans Cool Film Clips

Want a little sample of what the French and Indian War looked like?

This one's not for credit but it's really cool...

Parley During the French and Indian War

Both the British and French used Native American and Colonial allies during the French and Indian War, and their native allies played a crucial role in the war. I found 2 film clips for you to watch from The Last of the Mohicans that demonstrate how unconventional tactics put Europeans at a disadvantage in this war. The first scene depicts one of the few British defeats in the war and begins with the British Commander Lt. Col. Munro surrendering Fort William Henry to the French Commander Marquis de Montcalm. Montcalm offers Munro very generous terms of peace, but what he neglects to tell the Colonel is that the Huron, the Native American allies of the French, are planning an ambush on the retreating British troops as they leave the fort. You can get to the first film clip by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpw9wDi20ng . After this clip is over, click the "Last of the Mohicans Battle" link at the right to see the ambush. This can also be accessed by clicking the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyrPzy6y_IA&feature=related.  Altogether, there is less then seven minutes of film here but it gives you a bit of a flavor for the era and the nature of the French and Indian War.

The British and Americans had two advantages against the French in the French and Indian War, and both were American: The unconventional fighting techniques used by most Native Americans and adopted by the Colonists, and the Kentucky Long Rifle, an American rifle that was much more accurate than the muskets the British used. Natives and Colonials didn't play by the rules as they fought, and American Colonials used long rifles to assassinate French officers as often as they could. As you watch these film clips, especially the battle scene, pay special attention to how out of place European strategies were in the New World. Hope you enjoy and sorry for the violent nature of the second clip!