The Deerslayer (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews

OK adaptation of Cooper's classic novel of Indian problems in upstate NY

[weezeralfalfa · 7/10 · 6 February 2018]

A film adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's classic tale of hostilities between British settlers plus Delaware Indians against the French and their Huron allies. There have been several other film adaptations of this work, each no doubt with some details that differ from the book.....This one begins with a Huron attack on a Delaware village, where Chingachgook,(Ned Romero) the last of the Mohicans, has been residing recently. The Huron abduct the chief's beautiful daughter: Wa Tak Wa(Betty Ann Carr), hoping to make her a wife of Chief Rivenoak(Victor Mohica) or ransom her. Wandering British frontiersman Hawkeye(Steve Forrest), happens to show up at this village soon after, looking for his blood brother Chingachgook, whom he finds. Periodically, there are a number of small skirmishes between Huron and Hawkeye plus his supporters, culminating in an all out attack on the Huron village on Lake Otsego. ......Hawkeye decides to try to retrieve Wa Tah Wa, picking up several accomplices along the way, including a British lieutenant(Brian Davies) whom they saved from drowning after his Indian allies deserted him. After visiting Fort Niagara, decimated by Hurons, they head for Lake Otsego, where they hope to find the Huron who abducted Wa Tah Wa. At this lake, they find a cabin housing Mr. Hutter(John Anderson) and his 2 beautiful marriageable daughters, Judith(Joan Prather) and Hetty(Madeleine Stowe). As well, a Harry March. is temporarily living there. Later, the Hutters would sometimes accompany Hawkeye in his raids on the nearby Huron village. Hetty, a 'child of nature' brazenly entered the Huron village on her own twice. The Huron left her alone, and even said she could leave when she wanted! The second time, she helped Hawkeye escape form being tied to a tree, after the Huron had shot bullets, and arrows and thrown axes at him, as a preliminary to burning him. Interestingly, the Frenchman Beaujeur, who sometimes led the Huron, helped to cut the rope that bound Hawkeye, saying his didn't approve of this treatment......A novel feature of this adaptation is that Hutter is revealed as an ex-pirate, and has a chest filled with booty, as well as a chest filled with naval hand grenades (Yes, pirates, especially, made crude hand grenades in the early 17th century, the Chinese having made such long before that.)_ These grenades came in handy during the final assault on the Huron.....There is a superficial romance between Judith and Hawkeye, she essentially proposing marriage. However, unlike her dead sister, she preferred living in settled towns, whereas Hawkeye wasn't willing to give up his wandering in the wilderness lifestyle.....I can recommend this film to those who like stories of frontiersmen interacting with Native Americans. It does have some cheesy scenes and some believability issues. But, don't all these types of films? See it at YouTube

Deerslayer is one of Schick Sunn Classics and ranks high to me

[ABomb · 29 March 2003]

I strongly believe that Sunn Schick Productions did posterity a great service. This film and Legend of Sleepy Hollow are only two of the many films they did in the 1970's. Do you remember the Life & Times of Grizzly Adams ? They made that too.

This film mantains it's accuracy by the fact that you learn and not just see SDFX hype. This is truly a classic movie about the early America era and I would recommend anyone watch it. I would rank this and all the Sunn Schick films a 10++ See it whenever you can get a copy.

Backs away from its source to its disadvantage

[rsoonsa · 2/10 · 10 January 2001]

Adding details far from James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name, this film fails on its own, as well as an adaptation, to stir interest in a viewer. Sinking in a morass of silliness (hand grenades during the French and Indian War!), the script produces inane dialogue and inconsistent development. Much of the acting is painfully poor with woeful miscasting, including a panoply of obviously non-Indian Indians. The direction surrenders to the vagaries of the scenario. One pleasant surprise is that the film captures an early performance by an ethereal Madeleine Stowe.

Fascinating TV sequel to The Last of the Mohicans

[elcoat · 8/10 · 20 January 2021]

One of the things that strikes me right off in this was the saving of the blundering, pompous British officer from the rushing creek. Having survived getting across its mountains alone, I was nearly drowned in a creek not much larger and no faster on the east coast of Aristazabal Island, B.C.! What did Steve Forrest get paid for his "stunt work" in this? :-)

Madeleine Stowe being licked by a bear! LUCKY bear. Amazing. In 1978 she was a slim&pretty - beautiful - 20 years old.

It could have been simplified, but it was excellent nonetheless.

And John Anderson was great as usual. :-)