Review of Pocahontas

Review of Pocahontas

Pocahontas (1995), a timeless Disney animated film that is named after a real historical figure, whose legendary life story is a household name in America. In this fictionalized animated movie of the Indian princess, Pocahontas saves a British settler, John Smith, and resolves a war between the Englishmen and the Native Americans.

Set in the 17th century, the story illustrates the era of colonial repaid development. In 1607, a ship, carrying a load of Virginian company British settlers, including Captain John Smith and the voyage's leader, Governor Ratcliffe, head to North America, ready to search for gold and other valuable resources. On the way there, the ship encounters a storm, and causes the novice sailor, Thomas, to accidentally fall into the sea. Luckily, Smith saves his life, and they become good friends.

Meanwhile, in the New World, Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, is pledged by her father to marry the greatest warrior of the tribe, Kocoum. However, Pocahontas thinks Kocoum is just too serious comparing with her own highly spirited personality. Pocahontas then goes to the forest to visit Grandmother Willow, a spiritual talking willow tree. Grandmother Willow advises Pocahontas to follow her own heart and warns her about the presence of arriving Englishmen.

Sure enough, the ship lands in Virginia, and Governor Ratcliffe orders his crewmen to build a fortress and to start mining for gold. Smith wanders off into the deep forest and encounters Pocahontas. The two gradually become close friends as Pocahontas teaches Smith about the spirituality of the land. She then asks Smith not to treat her tribe people as barbarians.  Attracted to each other, they end up falling in love.  In the meantime, Wharton's soldiers had a confrontation with the Englishmen in mining sites, and one of the Indian warriors ends up wounded. Aware of the dangerous Englishmen invading, Chief Powhatan decides to call nearby diplomatic tribes together to unite against them and prepare for war.

A few days later, Smith met with Pocahontas again. He has been convinced by Grandmother Willow to talk to Chief Powhatan to avoid the occurrence of the war. Unfortunately, Kicoum interrupts the couples meeting and tries to attack Smith out of jealousy. His attempt fails. Thomas, who also followed Smith here, kills Kicoum before he had the chance to attack Smith. Thus, in great rages for the loss of a great warrior, Chief Powhatan decides to execute Smith at sunrise and declares war on the Englishmen.

The next morning, just before Smith was about to be executed, the governor's troops arrived at the scene. Fortunately, during the last moment of war breaking out, Pocahontas shows up and successfully prevents the execution. Her courageous acts ceased the hostilities between Indians and Englishmen.  All parties peacefully agreed except for Governor Ratcliffe, who tries to shoot Chief Powhatan in anger.  Sacrificially, Smith jumps in front of Chief Powhatan and takes the bullet instead.

Fortunately, Smith lives, but is seriously injured and must return to the British for medical treatment. He asks Pocahontas to go with him but Pocahontas ultimately decides to stay with her own people. In the end, Pocahontas runs up the highest cliff to watch Smith’s ship sail off the river and head towards the ocean with each others’ blessing.