Pocahontas

Plot synopsis:
In 1607, the Susan Constant sails to the New World from London, carrying English settlers. On board are Captain John Smith and the voyage's leader Governor Ratcliffe, who seeks gold to bring him wealth and status. Along the way, the Susan Constant is caught in a North Atlantic storm, and Smith saves a young, inexperienced crewmate named Thomas from drowning. In the Powhatan tribe in Virginia, Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, fears being possibly wed to Kocoum, a brave warrior whom she sees as too serious for her own free-spirited personality. Powhatan gives Pocahontas her mother's necklace as a present. Pocahontas, along with her friends, the raccoon Meeko and hummingbird Flit, visit Grandmother Willow, a spiritual talking willow tree, and speaks of a dream involving a spinning arrow, and her confusion regarding what her path in life should be. Grandmother Willow then alerts Pocahontas to the arriving English.
Ratcliffe has Jamestown built in a wooded clearing and immediately has the crewmen dig for gold. Smith departs to explore the wilderness and encounters Pocahontas. They quickly bond, fascinated by each other's worlds and develop a relationship, despite Powhatan's orders to keep away from the English after Kocoum and other warriors engage them in a fight. Meanwhile, Meeko meets Percy, Ratcliffe's dog, and becomes the bane of his existence. Pocahontas introduces Smith to Grandmother Willow and avoids two other crewmen, but Pocahontas's best friend Nakoma discovers her relationship with Smith and warns Kocoum. Later, Smith and Pocahontas meet with Grandmother Willow and plan to bring peace between the colonists and the tribe. Smith and Pocahontas kiss, while Kocoum and Thomas witness from afar. Enraged, Kocoum attacks and attempts to kill Smith, but Thomas intervenes and kills Kocoum. Smith commands Thomas to leave just before the tribesmen come and capture Smith while Kocoum's body is taken away. Enraged, Powhatan declares war on the English, beginning with Smith's execution at sunrise. Pocahontas tries to convince her father otherwise, but the chief refuses to listen, as he is very angry with Pocahontas for disobeying his orders to remain in the village.
Thomas warns the crewmen of Smith's capture, while Ratcliffe rallies his men to battle, using this as an excuse to annihilate the tribe and find their non-existent gold. A desperate Pocahontas visits Grandmother Willow, where Meeko hands her Smith's compass. Pocahontas realizes Smith's compass was the spinning arrow from her real life encounter, which leads her to her destiny. Just as Powhatan is about to kill Smith, Pocahontas stops him and convinces her father to end the fighting between the two groups. Both parties accept gracefully, except Ratcliffe, who tries to kill Chief Powhatan in anger, but wounds Smith instead when he protects the chief. Ratcliffe is then arrested by his crewmen. In the end, Smith is forced to return home to receive medical treatment, while Ratcliffe is also sent back to England to face justice for his crimes. He asks Pocahontas to come with him, but she chooses to stay with her tribe. Meeko and Percy, now friends, give Pocahontas her mother's necklace completely fixed. Smith leaves without Pocahontas and Powhatan's blessing to return in the future.

Tags: tragedy, romantic

Review:
While Pocahontas didn't have the grand ending that the Lion King had (it was a downer, remember?), the story bucks tradition by making it about people instead of animals, and its' message outweighs the "historically inaccurate" complaint.
This movie is more 'Inspired by' than 'Based on' and since the true story is about a 13-14 year old falling in love with 30-40 year I think we can all appreciate that they took some liberties with a KIDS' MOVIE.All in all, I really don't get why this isn't revered as a classic right along with The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast..
Musically, this movie is on par with Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and just a tick behind "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King".So if all these things are good, why only an 8?
So, honestly, those who are put off by things like "People in the dynasty when Mulan lived weren't praying to ancestors yet" should probably not expect to like this movie.Out-of-context, I give it an 8/10 because everything up till the ending was completely magical, and had some of the best moments in all of Disney history, but the ending fell flat.
The "3-voices song" of "savages", reminds me the "rumbles" of "West Side Story", and the final "goodbye" reminds me the final of Spielberg's "E.T.".I don't know if this movie was done "for children", but I know I cry every time I watch it !
You know, the way all Disney films were back then-there were commercials, songs on the radio, stuffed animals, etc....until the NEXT Disney movie came to dwarf it until a lame sequel or TV series came out.
Between the music and the animation Pocahontas is a classic Disney film that should be included in every video collection.
I found it to be very charming, with wonderful characters, fantastic animation, stunning visuals, sweet chemistry between the lovers, lovely songs (Colours of the Wind is breathtaking), and simple Disney entertainment.
I liked the way it ended, somewhat differently from other Disney films.My only complaint is that I didn't like it when one of the Indians got killed and how Pocahontas was more concerned about never seeing John.
Perhaps the unconventional ending (quite non-Disney) was too much to take for some people.However, except for the flaws I mentioned, I think it's a great film and one can really enjoy it especially because of the visual beauty and the beautiful songs and I loved the characters Percy, Meeko and Flit.
NEVER was it intended to be a 100% accurate documentation of the Historical events that happened (or MAY have happened) in the earliest days of "Jamestown".What was attempted, and what was achieved in rapturous beauty, was the most naturalistic and richly detailed Animated interpretation of nature, human figures, and a multi dimensional star crossed romance that rings true Emotionally if not historically.I very much hope that anyone interested in the art of animation will take another look, or see the superb 10th anniversary edition...which gives the lead characters the love theme that they were so rudely denied.This is a breathtaking, intelligent film that stands up well against the sublime "The New World" (another, even LESS appreciated film treatise of the Pocahontas tale...that was largely overlooked in 2005).It is to be treasured for it's superb songs, bewitching beauty, and unappreciated insights into Native American culture....and for being the most Dazzling Animated Film this side of "Fantasia".I am writing this as the Re-birth of Disney "traditional" "Line Drawn" animation is marked by the release of "Enchanted".It would be so wonderful to celebrate by acknowledging this film as the ultimate peak reached by the art (so far!!)..
Pocahontas wasn't a young woman when John Smith met her, but rather a young girl; she never fell in love with Captain Smith (there are some scholars who speculate on whether or not he actually tried to *rape* her); Pocahontas wasn't her real name, but a Hebrew nickname meaning "playful one," given to her by the English (her real name was Matoaka); and I could go on and on about the history they got wrong in this movie.
Pocahontas and John SMith came from two very different worlds, ones that would fight for hundreds of years over the ownership of the "New World." I am glad, actually, that the ending isn't stereotypical Disney, but rather bittersweet and unforgettable.
least i don't remember it being.But recently, I've been watching all my Disney films again (a way to get away from GCSEs meh!) and Pocahontas just got me!!
This film is also the first Disney film to be based on a real historic character; although there are no suggestions in any of the historical records that Smith and Pocahontas were ever lovers, this romantic version of the story appears only in fictionalized versions of their relationship.
My first reaction was..."wow" I understand that Disney is well loved and when I was 5, this was just another favourite film, now I can safely say that it is my ultimate favourite film, there is so much depth that is just not obvious to a typical 5 year old.Like "To Kill A Mockingbird" it shows serious in-depth prejudice, the British settlers do not want to associate with the Native Americans and vice-versa.
Both works very well, with loving little gags and without any tendency to crude jokes, that often seen in modern Disney-films, i.e. the stupid fart-joke in "The Lion King", which, in my opinion, disturbing this good movie too much.
He was actually known to be very cruel and strict with his men.I realize that this is a children's movie and Disney is more out to entertain than educate, but I thought it was a bit insulting to the history of the story.
It is not merely because of the not-so-happy ending (actually I applaud a break from the 'formula', a bold move) but the fact remains that, after all, Pocahontas and John Smith were historical characters, and it is hard to put that out of my head while seeing this straightforward 'Romeo-and Juliet'story 'inspired by' actual events.
I remember watching this in the cinema as a child and only enjoyed the swirling winds animation when Pocahontas sings "Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?", otherwise the animation lacks shading which makes everything appear flat.For some reason, all the good characters just end up very bland and boring.
I appreciate that it's 'just for kids' but where a proper love story is unfolding, two bumbling animals in the shape of Meeko (Pocahontas' racoon) and Percy (The English governor's dog whom he doesn't even realise is missing towards the end) attempt to ruin what it is that's going on around them.
I feel the film would've worked better had this character been a really elderly native American whom Pocahontas could've trusted but again, the prospect of a talking tree in a Disney film gets the kids in.Even if I was a little let down by the climatic battle scene since I didn't really 'feel' anything (when I felt I was supposed to have many emotions raging at once), the film sticks to its roots and has the ending that many of us probably wouldn't have liked to have happened.
Pocahontas suffers from a dated depiction of native American tribes and the fact that it came out the same year as Disney's masterpiece The Lion King, but it's so much better than the Princess Movies that get more attention.
Pocahontas feels like a real person with hopes and dreams and fears, the score is breathtaking and the animation is absolutely lovely.
The romance comes across as an obligatory, "make-the-film-complete" romance that many people feel has to be in every major Disney movie.
I think that that's one of the greatest animations made by Desney...That love, so impossible at the time, between an Indian woman and an English man, is described in a very beautiful way...I really adore it!!!If you've not seen it, see it, you will understand a lot of new things about life.My sister loves too very much this movie, I think that every girl would love it, because it's, we could say it, a film about the woman heart.I felt (I just thought it, without knowing why) that their separation was just a new beginning, and that their love became stronger:))).Just see it:))).
When Englishmen come to her land in search of gold, Pocahontas finds love in the arms of John Smith.This Oscar winning romantic drama from Walt Disney is one of the warmest and adult themed animations in the genre, and has a heart warming story and some beautifully crafted songs.The narrative centres around the beautiful independent Pocahontas, who we first see diving off a hill into a gorgeous river, and viewers are instantly thrust into her life as we see what's on her mind.
Her thoughts and feelings are well executed and are inspirational to women of all ages and is one of the strongest Disney characters ever created, right up there with Snow White.With ideologies of love and war, this is one of the most mature Disney pictures to date with plenty of adult themes and a strong sense of realism.The concept of love is excellently observed by director Mike Gabriel as we see the central character in many close shots, and a careful approach is used when she sees John Smith for the first time.The idea of loving the wrong person has been covered in many films before, and here Pocahontas falls in love with the enemy, a man who has come over with a group of men in search of gold and wish to take over her people's land.
This battle of minds is also a fight over culture and humanity a very strong and issue driven drama which really makes you think come the end of the film.Slight disappointment as the narrative lacks at points and the ending feels rushed but thankfully isn't as daft as some other animations which rush into clichés.This film is also memorable for the fantastic soundtrack, and particularly the Oscar winning Colours of the Wind, which is the best part of the film by a mile, a really strong sentimental moment in the character's lives, and dives deep into the romantic genre and will make the weak at heart shed a tear or two.Not the most entertaining Disney, but the different approach and the strong adult focused themes of love and war are strong and engaging..
Up there with the other Disney classics, Pocahontas deserves to be cherished by generations to come.It's amazing how they pick the perfect people to voice the characters; Mel Gibson (along with the others) did a great job.
I first saw the movie Pocahontas when I was about 12, I believe, and I loved it then - the music, the animation, the storyline...it was all so beautiful and engrossing.
There were a few good films during the post lion king years(Hercules, Toy story, Tarzan) but this film started the decline to where Disney animation is today.
It wasn't just "Gay Days" at the theme park: it was Liberal revisionist "history" movies like this.Instead of the real story of Pocahontas, who became famous by being the first Native American converted to Christianity, we get ridiculous New Age mumbo- jumbo here.
The Disney empire is so strong on its heavy-handed left-wing agenda that it can't even remotely tell the truth about a story in an animated film.At the very least, since they abhor Christianity,they should have just stuck with a pretty animated movie (which this is) and centered it around romance and young America...but Liberals can't stop being in your face all the time, pushing their secular agendas on the rest of us.
The rest of the family hated it, too, which was odd considering we've always loved Disney animated films since forever.It was a bunch of things that made this movie sour.
I think the thing that confused most of the folks was how Pocahontas magically spoke English all of a sudden; one moment, she couldn't understand John Smith, and the next, she could suddenly converse with him.And the ending was awful.I'd say this ranks as one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
I loved Pocahontas and I thought it was a great animated film based on history of the real Indian Pocahontas!
In the movie Captain John Smith (Mel Gibson) sails to the New World of Jamestown Virginia with a group of settlers and falls in love with Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) but the settlers led by Govenor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) and the Native Americans led by Pocahontas' father Chief Powatahn (Russell Means) wish to fight each other to protect eachothers' land so it's up to Pocahontas and her forest friends Meeko, Grandmother Willow, and Flit and John Smith and his dog Percy to bring peace between their people!
Alright, yes this isn't the true story of Pocahontas, but why would Disney make a movie about what really happened?
The songs were beautiful and the connection between John Smith and Pocahontas is far more stronger than any other leading characters in a Disney movie.
"Colors of the Wind" is perhaps one of the most poetic songs used in a Disney movie, it stays in the ear with great ease and the animation used during the music is excellent.
Disney take on the story of Pocahontas and John Smith.
The emotional stuff is where the movie really knocks it out of the park, whether it be the romance between Pocahontas and Smith or little brilliant scenes such as when Powhatan feels his wife's spirit in the wind.The cause for much criticism and complaints about the film come, of course, from the history police.
I really can't describe this movie in words.At first I just really liked the film, but after I've watched it over ten times over I just can't hold my tears back whenever I watch it.I can't understand that Pocahontas has such a low score on IMDb, I just can't.
But that is surface level aspects of a movie, and if a story isn't very engaging or exciting it ends up lackluster.The list goes on, because aside from a couple of beautiful songs and eye-popping animation, Pocahontas has remarkable problems which makes it fall into the category of wasted potential..
But there are 2 that stand out to me as truly terrible films, films bad enough to begrudge the time spent watching them, and this was the first in that sad little category.First let me say that I'm a history lover and I've always really loved the true story of Pocahontas as I've known it since I was a very young child.
What is worse, is knowing so many children walk away from this film believing Pocahontas saved John Smith's life, that she was in love with him, that he was some wonderful English man.
It'd be ordeal of a film experience for children and here we have a beautiful love story symbolizing the triumph of peace over war; plus brilliant songs, a haunting music score, lush animation and well-selected voice talents.As it is based on a true story, there is some drama here that could never be taken away, even from a Disney adaptation.
Pocahuntas is a 1995 Disney movie based on true life events about a Native American Princess who falls in love with a handsome English sailor named John Smith.
The music is brilliant Alan Menkin & Stephen Schwartz(Enchanted,HBOND),the characters are great,the chemistry between John Smith and Pocahuntas is so romantic and very sweet I liked them in this movie,the story is very well put together as it centers on Pocahuntas who is the heroine of this film.I truly enjoyed this film but if you never seen the sequel then avoid as it isn't as magical or fun as the original masterpiece from Walt Disney pictures.Another thing is that I love the song If I never knew you as its so romantic and I never realized that Mel Gibson was a great singer.
i haven't seen this for a long long time, and i can tell you for sure that this is one of the best animations of all time, because this is full of teachings, a true love tale, and above all they leave us with a big expectation of what happens next, because, you see, it doesn't matter if there is a sequel, for me Pocahontas 2 is like it has never existed, because every time we see this movie we will think of how great the human spirit can be, how great this movie makes us feel.
The songs, composed by Alan Menken, are incredible especially that song, "Colors of the Wind." The animation is lavish and it provides some beautiful sights in the Virginia Territory.This film tells the tale of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith and the romance that sprung up between two cultures, thus creating a clash.
We also get good supporting voice acting from the likes of Christian Bale and David Ogden Stiers.Overall, Pocahontas is a good movie with beautiful animation and wonderful music.
Unfortunately, not only does this tale have little to no historical accuracy (anyone who doesn't know history can even see that), but it seems that this marks one of the few times in which (dare I say it) I was bored watching a Disney film.
Also, Pocahontas is seen near a waterfall in the film, but Jamestown did not have waterfalls like the one in the movie.
One of the biggest historical inaccuracy in the Disney animated film, Pocahontas, is the romantic relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith.
All we got was the cute little raccoon, Meeko.Overall, "Pocahontas", is a great animated film that's worth watching.
One of my least favorite Disney animated films, Pocahontas suffers from a weak story, weak characters, and only mediocre animation.
Pocahontas has good characters, but I do not like the animals.