Not as bad as I expected....

Rating: 5/10 (8 May 2010)

Disney films such as "The Hunchback" and "Pocahontas" are films I did not want to watch because I already knew--or at least sensed--that the historical context was going to be bent somewhat out of shape. I have not yet seen the Hunchback, but Pocahontas is an attempt to put a new suit of clothes on an old story. An attempt was made by the writers to at least put on the table the differing points of view of the arrival of Whites from both perspectives...the conqueror and the soon to be vanquished. Though conflict in this instance was averted, the Natives were going to ultimately be the big losers and, as if that weren't enough, within several years of the date of this story--1607--Jamestown would become the point of entry for African slaves, brought over as cargo to till the soil and build the new land under the rule of cat-o-nine-tails. But, Pocahontas deals with only a small fraction of time. Despite my mis-givings, I have to say the story-line was not overly bad, and I was amazed at the excellent quality of the film score. However, one cannot help but feel sorry for the Natives because, with the invaders cast as guys that were not all that bad, the indigenous peoples have a hand in bringing about their own downfall by accepting those who had lust for the land and for its riches without regard to the lives and well being of those who were already on the land and who had been there for millenia. If one is able to get past the facts, they may be able to get some enjoyment from this film. And I can only recommend this film to those who can cast aside their feelings for a time in order to watch it.