Synopsis:
Based on the story "The Deerslayer" (one of The Leatherstocking Tales) by the American author James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851). In 1740, English troops attempted to seize the French colonial settlements in North America, also involving the local Indian tribes as mercenaries: the Huron on the French side, the Delawareans on the English side. Wahtawah, the daughter of the Delawarean chief, was promised to Chingachgook, who has been accepted into the tribe. However, before the nuptials could take place, the Huron raided the Delawarean camp and ran off with Wahtawah. Together with his friend Deerslayer, Chingachgook sets out to free Wahtawah from her captors. As they approach the Huron camp, an antagonistic party crosses their path: hunter Harry Hurry and settler Tom Hutter, as well as two scalp hunters. Not only does Chingachgook fail to free Wahtawah from the Huron, he is also taken captive himself. Moreover, his attempt to convince the Huron that the war between the whites ought not concern the Indians proves to be futile. Indeed, only after the English have attacked and subsequently destroyed the Huron camp does the wounded Huron chief come to the painful realization that Chingachgook was right and declares peace with all Indian tribes. Chingachgook, Wahtawah and Deerslayer, who manage to survive the English onslaught, return to the lands of the Delawareans.

Press Comments:
"Many of the themes found in this film seem overly histrionic and poorly communicated - indeed, ideology often literally shoots out of every Indian's eyes. However, in contrast to many conventional Indian films, 'Chingachgook, The Great Snake' attempts to present a much more nuanced image of Indians as well as settler behavior - a welcome relief. Because the camerawork, with the exception of a few of the war scenes, abstains from cheap showmanship, an impression of objectivity is enchanced." -- K.U. in the Frankfurter Allgemeine, Frankfurt/Main of 12.11.1976

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