POCAHONTAS
US, 1995, 84 minutes, Colour.
Mel Gibson, Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, David Ogden Stiers, John Kassir, Russell Means, Christian Bale, Linda Hunt, Billy Connolly, Gordon Tootoosis.
Directed by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg.
When Pocahontas was released in 1995, it was not the success of the previous Disney animated films: Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King. People were very critical.
However, the film was misunderstood because of its focus on interracial relationships and the lyrics of some of the songs, those sung by the English, labelling the native Americans as savages. However, it is very clear that the message is anti-racism with the presentation of the native Americans strong in comparison with the greed of the colonial English.
In retrospect, Pocahontas probably seems a much better film, loosely based on the history of John Smith and the expedition to and founding of Jamestown, Virginia, and the encounter with the Indians. The film was co-written by Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, In Her Shoes, Charlotte’s Web, The Soloist). It has a musical score by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz who had collaborated for a number of Disney films. The song, Colours of the Wind, received the Oscar for best song.
The film is drawn in the Disney style but has fine backgrounds for the 17th century Virginia countryside. There is also the imaginative talking tree of Grandmother Willow. She is voiced by Linda Hunt. Mel Gibson is John Smith and Irene Bedard Pocahontas. David Ogden Stiers does a very good job as the pompous Governor Ratcliffe as well as the voice of his poodle Wiggins. Christian Bale is the naïve young Thomas. Billy Connolly can be heard as one of the pioneers. Native American actors like Russell Means and Gordon Tootoosis contribute to the film.
Pocahontas is a pleasant way of looking at an aspect of American colonial history.
1.Disney films? Visual style, characters, animation, songs?
2.The relative lack of success of Pocahontas on its first release? Comparisons with other Disney films? Evaluating it in its own right?
3.The animation, the initial creation of London in the 17th century? The Atlantic and the storms? The landings in Virginia, the establishment of Jamestown? The Indians and their life in the villages, in the forests? The confrontations between the settlers and the Indians? The battles? The drawing of the characters, the landscapes?
4.The musical score, the songs and their lyrics, Where the River Bends, Savages, the love songs, Colours of the Wind?
5.Audience knowledge of the British expedition? London, the signing up of the men, their farewells? Governor Ratcliffe and his ambitions? At sea, the storm, Thomas falling overboard, John Smith rescuing him? Governor Ratcliffe and his smooth words – yet in private, his ambitions, his vainglorious songs, wanting gold and honours? Wiggins, his poodle, being pampered?
6.The introduction to the Indians, the native American way of life, life in the forests, hunting? The chief? Pocahontas and her place as the daughter of the chief? Her friend? The suitor? The warrior? The arrival of the English? The Indians watching?
7.Pocahontas, with her friend, in the forest, her animal companion, the warm fuzzy? Singing, the dream with the arrow, talking with Grandmother Willow? Discovering the Americans, seeing John Smith? Being caught by him, the encounter, the transition to her speaking English?
8.John Smith, his reason for going to the Americas? His presence, on the boat, reputation, rescuing Thomas? His going out to survey? The encounter with Pocahontas? Falling in love? The lyrical scenes between them?
9.The governor and his desire for gold, the men having to dig? His suspicions of the Indians, considering them savages? The men and the digging, their criticisms? Their fear of the Indians?
10.Pocahontas, her relationship with her father, his being a warrior and returning? The suitor and her father’s wishes? Her meeting with Smith? Her friend covering for her? Smith going out, Thomas to follow him?
11.The Indians, the hostilities, the governor and his desire for gold? Pocahontas wondering about the gold, saying there wasn’t any, Smith reporting this? Offering the golden corn as food instead?
12.The shooting, wounding? The Indians, councils of war, the decision to attack? Pocahontas and her pleading?
13.Pocahontas going to meet John Smith, Thomas following, the orders from the governor? The attack by the warrior, the fight, Thomas shooting? The warrior’s death?
14.Smith taken, imprisoned, the visit of Pocahontas? The love songs between the two? The Colours of the Wind – and the way that it was imaginatively visualised?
15.Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow and the interpretation of the dream, her decision to intervene, Smith to be executed, her getting in the way, preventing the death? The appeal to her father? His agreement?
16.The warriors lined up with their arrows, the British with their muskets? The British and their turning against the governor, interning him?
17.Smith, the firing by the governor at the Indian chief, Smith being wounded? The decision to take him back to England? Pocahontas not following? The expression of love, the transformation of Smith’s life?
18.The comic elements with the animals, the reconciliation between the two animals?
19.The accusations of racism because of the lyrics? The film’s serious look at racist issues, native Americans, the colonial and superior attitudes of the new settlers, the taking of the land?
