Walt Disney released “Pocahontas” in 1995 to encourage peace and understanding for cultural differences, while also trying to portray a more mature storyline.
The movie takes place in 1607 in Virginia, while English settlers travel to the new world in search of gold. In the beginning of the movie, Pocahontas is being pressured by her father to marry the respected warrior, Kocoum. Although she doesn’t want to betray her father, she also sees something different for her future. She is having dreams of something coming and pictures her life full of adventures while she follows her own path. When the English settlers arrive, Pocahontas meets captain John Smith who is a free-spirited guy who wants to get to know her, despite their differences. The Englishman already has the perception of when seeing Native Americans to kill them on sight. Her dad, Chief Powhatan, disapproves of their relationship as well because he rather her marry native warrior. Pocahontas and John Smith would meet in secret to continue getting to know each other and falling in love. Most of the time they would meet at the talking tree, Grandmother Willow, who guides her to follow her spirit. One night, John Smith snuck out of their camp to meet with Pocahontas and Governor Ratcliffe spotted him leaving. In result, he sent another colonist named Thomas to follow him and then armed him with a gun in case he ran into Native Americans on the way. When John and Pocahontas met at the tree, Kocoum came looking for Pocahontas and then ended up attacking John in a blind jealous rage. As this is happening, Thomas also finds them and ends up shooting and killing Kocoum. John Smith tells Thomas to just go and ends up being captured for the murder of Kocoum despite not being guilty. He is then brought to the chief; that is when he decides to execute him in front of his people. When they are about to start the war by killing John Smith, Pocahontas protects him with the goal to create peace among everyone. Pocahontas’s father hears his daughter out and comes to the conclusion that peace is better than war. John Smith still ends up wounded due to Ratcliffe shooting him and is then forced to return back to England. He wants Pocahontas to go with him, but she decides she is needed in her village to further work for peace and a better life.
“Pocahontas” does so many things beautifully including gorgeous scenery and animations, an amazing soundtrack and promotes peace and understanding when viewing history. The soundtrack includes “Colors of the Wind,” “Just Around the Riverbend” and “Steady as the Beating Drum.” These are some of the most popular songs from the movie. The charming environment adds so much depth to the movie with all of the nature and bright colors. Lastly, yes, the story is romanticized and not completely accurate, but it still helps to expose kids and even adults to the moral of the story.
Another aspect that adds to the story in a positive way is the animals and her Grandmother Willow that help guide her through the journey of finding herself. The two main animals are Meeko the raccoon and Flit the hummingbird. They don’t talk but they are always there for Pocahontas and help her through struggles. Now, her Grandmother Willow is a talking Willow tree that gives her advice, while also helping her learn self-expression and to follow her own path in life.
“Pocahontas” is a great recommendation for anyone looking to learn more about finding their identity and who they are as an individual. This movie deserves an overall 5/5 due to it being well produced and an overall amazing story.
