Pocahontas (1995 film)

Pocahontas is the thirty-third animated feature in the Disney animated features canon. It was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and was originally released to theaters on June 16, 1995 to selected cities by Buena Vista Pictures. The film is based loosely on the encounter between the colonists of Jamestown, Virginia and the native Powhatan tribe, and in particular presents a highly emotionally charged and dramatic account of the meeting between Pocahontas and John Smith. A musical with music by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, the film's anthem, Colors of the Wind won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Song. There was a video game based on the movie under the same name, Pocahontas, released for various platforms shortly after the film's theatrical release, and it was followed by a direct-to-video sequel, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World in 1998.

Plot

In 1607, a ship carrying a group of over 100 British settlers sets sail for North America. Also on board is handsome Captain John Smith (voice of Mel Gibson), and the greedy Governor Ratcliffe (voice of David Ogden Stiers). They are going to America in search of gold and other riches (which Ratcliffe wants all to himself), and, quite possibly, to fight Natives (Virginia Company).

When we are introduced to the Powhatan tribe (Steady as the Beating Drum), they are in a celebratory mood, and with good reason. The Powhatan tribe have just conquered a rival tribe. We next see the chief's beautiful daughter, Pocahontas, who is standing on a cliff, the wind blowing leaves around her. Her best friend Nakoma calls here from a canoe in the river below and tells her to come back to the village. Pocahontas, accompanied by her animal friends, Meeko, a racoon, and Flit, a hummingbird, leaps off the cliff, into the river where she overturns the canoe, and has a brief splashing fight with Nakoma before they turn the boat over, and row back to the village.

Upon reaching the village, Pocahontas and Nakoma see Kekata, the village's elder and medicine man, paint two of bear paw prints on the chest of a handsome warrior named Kocoum, who Chief Powhatan says fought much more bravely than the other warriors. Later, in Powhatan's hut, Pocahontas learns that Kocoum has asked for her hand in marriage. She tells her father that Kocoum seems so serious as she looks outside and sees that Kocoum is practically ignoring the children around him. Her father says it's a good choice for her and gives her the necklace that her mother wore on her wedding (Steady as the Beating Drum Reprise). Confused, Pocahontas gets in her canoe with Flit and Meeko, and travels to an enchanted glade that only she knows about (Just Around the Riverbend). We are then introduced to a talking tree called Grandmother Willow, who instantly recognizes the necklace Pocahontas is wearing. Pocahontas tells her about her father wanting her to marry Kocoum, and Grandmother Willow agrees that Kocoum is too serious. She proceeds to tell Grandmother Willow about this dream she's been having: She is running through the woods, and right there in front of her is an arrow. As she looks at it, it starts to spin. It spins faster and faster until suddenly, it stops. Pocahontas suddenly hears the wind, and when she does not understand what it is telling her, Grandmother Willow begins to sing a little song, and tells her to listen with her heart (Listen With Your Heart). Pocahontas climbs to the top of a tree, and sees strange clouds.

The "strange clouds" that Pocahontas has seen are the sails of the settlers ship, on which we see Ratcliffe in his cabin with his assistant, Wiggins, and his spoilt pug dog, Percy. Once ashore, John Smith climbs up some rocks to get a better look at the island. Hiding in the bushes, Pocahontas seems smitten by Smith. Meeko sneaks out, and catches Smith's attention. Smith gives him a biscuit. When he goes to the bush where Pocahontas is, Flit attacks, and Smith drops many more biscuits which Meeko scarfs down.

The tribe is aware of the new arrivals, and Kekata throws some powder onto a fire. The smoke takes on many frightening shapes and sounds, and Powhatan tells Kocoum to take some warriors to observe the strangers.

The settlers start digging (Mine, Mine, Mine), and John Smith walks the land, unaware that he is being followed. Smith comes to a stream. He cups water in his hand, and sees a reflection in the water. Regardless, he washes his face, then hides behind a waterfall. When he sees a figure approach, he leaps out, armed, but lowers his weapon when he notices it's a woman. Pocahontas runs off, but Smith catches up with her. He extends his hand to her and when she takes it, the wind-carried leaves form a bond between the two. When Smith asks her who she is, the wind swirls around Pocahontas, and she hears Grandmother Willow telling her again to listen with her heart, and she tells Smith her name is Pocahontas.

In the meantime, the warriors are watching the settlers digging. However, when Percy spots one of them, a panic ensues. In the ensuing guns and bullets versus bows and arrows battle, one warrior, Namontack is shot and wounded by Ratcliffe. The Natives retreat, and Powhatan declares, "These white men are dangerous! No one is to go near them!". Meanwhile, John Smith and Pocahontas are getting to know each other. Meeko mistakes John's compass, for a biscuit, and steals it. However, the two encounter a problem when John thinks of Pocahontas and her people as "savages". Pocahontas thinks Smith does not know about the nature of the world. Pocahontas then sings one of the film's most popular songs, "Colors of the Wind". However, their time together is abruptly cut short when Pocahontas hears a distant drumming sound, and runs away.

A few days go by, and John can't seem to get Pocahontas out of his head, and decides to track her down. Ratcliffe sees Smith is gone, and sends two other settlers, Ben and Lon, to find him. Nakoma also finds that Pocahontas is hiding something. Smith locates Pocahontas just as Nakoma tells Pocahontas to trust her with her secret. Pocahontas tells her not to tell anyone, and she and John sneak off. They head to the enchanted glade where John learns that his friends won't find any gold, so they came all this way for nothing. Pocahontas introduces John to Grandmother Willow. John hears the voices of Ben and Lon, and he and Pocahontas hide. As they pass the tree, Grandmother Willow lifts her root, and trips them, and they are sure they see the tree lower its root. Grandmother Willow then snaps her vines, hitting their rear ends, and they run away. John and Pocahontas agree to meet again that night. Pocahontas wants to meet him again, and Grandmother Willow wants to as well, but Pocahontas is afraid it's too dangerous. She gets the idea that the arrow in her dream is pointing to John, and not Kocoum.

When Pocahontas returns to the village, some brothers of the Powhatan tribe have arrived to help them destroy the white men. Pocahontas tries to convince her father to try and talk the men out of fighting. Her plea falls on deaf ears. Smith arrives back at the settlers' fort, and tries to convince Ratcliffe that there is no gold, because a Native told him. Ratcliffe sees this as a lie, and warns Smith that there is a severe penalty for treason: death by hanging.

That night, Nakoma catches Pocahontas sneaking off again, and tries to convince her not to go out there again. Pocahontas tells her best friend she must do this, and runs off through the cornfield. Nakoma finds Kocoum sitting on a rock, sharpening his knife, and tells him that she thinks Pocahontas is in trouble. Meanwhile, a young settler named Thomas (voice of Christian Bale) sees Smith sneaking off. Ratcliffe tells him to follow him, and gives him a rifle to use on any Natives.

John and Pocahontas meet in the enchanted glade, Smith tells her what his men are planning to do. A mysterious creature, which turns out to be Percy stuck in an old bit of tree appears and chases after Meeko, who has become quite a thorn in his side. Upon seeing the face of Grandmother Willow, Percy faints. Grandmother Willow manages to convince John that the both of them can bring peace between their two worlds. Pocahontas and John start kissing, and we see that from a corner of the glade, Thomas is watching, with an astonished look. From another corner we see that Kocoum is also watching, astonished. Kocoum finally snaps and lets out a deafening war cry, and attacks John. Pocahontas tries to pull Kocoum off him, only to be tossed aside. John is saved when Thomas appears and fatally shoots Kocoum, who pulls the necklace from Pocahontas' neck as he falls to the ground dead. Pocahontas, angry at Thomas for killing Kocoum, flies at him in a rage but John manages to hold her back. As voices approach, John tells Thomas to run. Having heard the gunshot, a group of Natives arrive, John is taken prisoner, and Kocoum's dead body is carried off. Percy trembles at this sight, and he follows Meeko and Flit as they follow Pocahontas back to the village. Back at the village, Powhatan announces that Smith will be killed at sunrise, and out of anger, he blames his own daughter's foolishness for Kocoum's death (If I Never Knew You).

Thomas runs back to the fort and breaks the news of John's capture. Ratcliffe sees this as a perfect excuse to get his greedy hands on the gold that the Natives don't have, and announces that they will attack at dawn (Savages). Meanwhile, Pocahontas returns to the enchanted glade, and tells Grandmother Willow what's happened. Meeko gives Pocahontas John's compass, and as she stares at it, the needle, which looks like an arrow starts to spin, and Pocahontas recognizes it as the arrow from her dream, and realizes she was right about the arrow pointing at John. As Pocahontas stands up, the sun starts to rise. The needle then stops. It is pointing in the direction of the sun, and Pocahontas races back to the village.

The settlers arrive at the village just as Smith is about to be killed. Pocahontas arrives just in time, and throws herself over John, telling her father that if he kills John, he will have to kill her too. After proclaiming her love for John, she shows her father that this is where the path of hatred has brought them. Powhatan declares: "From this day forward, if there is to be any more killing, it will not start with me". Smith is freed. However, Ratcliffe, who's eager to get rid of the Natives once and for all, orders the settlers to fire, but, seeing that Smith's release is an act of peace, they refuse. Angry, Ratcliffe snatches a rifle, and aims at Powhatan. John pushes the chief aside, and he gets shot instead. The settlers now see Ratcliffe for what he really is, and they gang up on him. Thomas grabs the rifle from Ratcliffe, and orders the settlers to chain and gag him. Later, he is seen being loaded onto a rowboat and taken back to the ship, chained and gagged.

John is only wounded, but must return to England if he is to survive. Pocahontas and her people arrive, carrying baskets of corn. Percy is now dressed like a Native, indicating that he has decided to stay in Virginia. The animals return Pocahontas' mother's necklace, and Pocahontas promises John, "No matter what happens, I will always be with you. Forever". As the boat sails away, Pocahontas comes to the edge of the cliff, and waves her hand goodbye to John, but it doesn't look like she's in pain. She looks like she has hope that he will return someday, back to her again.

Quotes

• Grandmother Willow: "Hello, John Smith."

John Smith: "Pocahontas, that tree is talking to me."

Pocahontas: "Then you should talk back."

• Pocahontas: "No matter what happens, I'll always be with you. Forever."

• Wiggins: (As Ratcliffe is loaded onto the boat, bound and gagged) "And he came so highly recommended."

• Ratcliffe: (After shooting John Smith) "He stepped right...right into it. It's his own fault."

Production

The movie Pocahontas was designed as Disney's first real dramatic animated picture. Screenwriters gave the story of Pocahontas a new treatment, based on Romeo and Juliet. Disney began to experiment with a new, more emotional tone with the film, and hence several unconventional decisions were made during production.

Of note, Pocahontas is the only full-length Disney animated feature except 1981's The Fox and the Hound that does not have a traditional happy ending. There are various parts in the film where dialogue is void, and the emotional score propels the picture and characters forward. Another decision made by Disney executives involved cutting all the dialogue from the secondary animal characters, such as Meeko and Flit, in order to make the film more serious.

During production, the film earned the reputation for being the hardest film for animators to work on ever at Disney. The complex color schemes, angular shapes, and facial expressions caused Pocahontas to be in production for over half a decade. But a result of this hard work was critical acclaim that Pocahontas herself was one of the most beautifully and realistically animated characters Disney had ever made. It could be probably due to some use of rotoscoping, that lead most of the human and animal characters to actually move.

Before his death, comedian John Candy had recorded a large amount of material for a turkey character named Redfeather, who was to be Pocahontas's sidekick. Executives perceived the character to lighten the tone of the film excessively, and the turkey was replaced with the characters Meeko the raccoon and Flit the hummingbird.

A controversial last minute decision involved the cutting of the song "If I Never Knew You" from the film. The song originally was intended to be placed in the scene when Pocahontas comes to visit a captured John Smith, who is due to be executed. She expresses regret at having ever met him because if she hadn't, he wouldn't be at death's door, but Smith replies that he would rather suffer this fate than have never known her, thus seguing into the song. In the final cut of the film, Smith says the line about preferring to have known Pocahontas, and then the film abruptly cuts to Nakoma interrupting the pair, a scene that seems unusually rushed for what is generally a slower-paced Disney film. In hindsight, Disney would later regret the decision, and added it back into the film as part of the 10th Anniversary Special Edition DVD.

The song was also used in the ice skating show, which had a stronger portrayal of Kocoum, the serious brave.

Release

Many at Disney had high hopes for the movie upon initial release. Then-studio head Jeffrey Katzenberg regarded Pocahontas as a more prestigious project than The Lion King, and even believed that it had a chance of earning an Academy Award nomination for "Best Picture," following in the steps of 1991's Beauty and the Beast. However, the movie was less successful commercially than was hoped. Because the film dealt with more adult themes and tones, the film did not appeal to younger children as well as earlier Disney hits. Though the stellar box office performance that The Lion King had previously enjoyed was expected for Pocahontas, it never materialized. Nevertheless, the film was still a box-office success, earning $141,579,773 in the United States and $347,179,773 worldwide. It also has the second highest opening theater weekend average and the second highest of all time[1].

Reaction, praise, and controversy

Upon release, however, Pocahontas was criticized by many for presenting stereotypical images of Native Americans. Some felt, for example, that Pocahontas looked more like the black model Naomi Campbell than a Native American (although Disney claims she was modelled on the voice actor Irene Bedard, who is of Native ethnicity). The film was also criticized for its distortion of history, as John Smith was an explorer and never disposed to staying in one place for an extended period of time. Furthermore, historically Pocahantas was prepubescent when John Smith encountered the Powhatan tribe, and a romantic relationship between the two would have been highly unlikely and irregular. Further, the historical John Smith was a short, bearded man who in no way resembled the ruggedly handsome animated version. He was also said to be a coward, and on one occasion, used a Native American guide as a human shield during battle.

Among many changes are the fanciful topography of Jamestown, which is located in flat terrain but in the film possesses massive cliffs and high ridges, and the love affair between Pocahontas and John Smith. Another criticism came in the form of Kocoum's mistreatment of his wife-to-be, Pocahontas. Her father wanted her to marry him, but Pocahontas did not want to marry him because of his stern face and serious attitude, though her father says that he will make a "fine" husband: he's loyal, strong, would build her a good house with sturdy walls, and that she would be safe from harm with him around. This is an example of an arranged marriage in a Disney film. (see also: Sleeping Beauty and The Lion King)

Another criticism of the movie was its portrayal of the Native Americans as just as, if not more, prejudicial than the Europeans (with the exception of Pocahontas herself, of course), even though they were presented as peaceful and caring people. Though this may not be entirely unfounded it certainly didn't help Disney's troubled relationship with Native American tribes.

The film did receive critical praise for both the animation and art direction. The animation of the film is widely regarded as Disney's best animation to date. The film utilizes very different colors than in previous Disney films, which resulted in a beautiful color palette from the Art Department at Disney. Colors that symbolized different emotions, such as red for anger/hate, blue for love, and pink and purple for nature were purposely used. The animators also decided to be unconventional when they decided to use the "mother spirit in the leaves" motif, which consisted of leaves floating in the wind during significant scenes in the movie that represented passion and beauty.

The film's soundtrack was very successful, reaching #1 in the week of July 22, 1995. It ended up with a triple platinum certification.

The musical score written by Alan Menken received two Academy Awards, including one for the song "Colors of the Wind". The movie's score is widely regarded as one of the most emotional and eloquent scores in an animated feature ever. Several recurring musical themes were written, such as "Colors of the Wind", "Listen with Your Heart", and "If I Never Knew You".

Crew

Goofs

• In the scene at the beginning of the movie with the British settlers and a large storm, their flag is torn up by the wind. The flag is somehow restored later in the scene.

• When Pocahontas first visits Grandmother Willow, Grandmother Willow's glade is all water and is right by the river. In most of the later scenes, the glade is dry ground with a few pools of water and is completely surrounded by forest.

• At a certain point in the movie, Meeko the raccoon hides on top of the head of a moose; however, there are absolutely no moose in Virginia.

• When Ratcliffe is surrounded by the settlers, all of their shadows are facing inwards, which is impossible in natural sunlight.

• Throughout the movie, very large and obviously powerful waterfalls can be seen. In reality, there are no waterfalls like that anywhere in eastern Virginia.

• Right before John Smith and Pocahontas share their first kiss, Flit is shown flying with no wings (this was pointed out in the 10th Anniversary DVD audio commentary). Also, in the scene where Smith first encounters Meeko, there is a second where Flit's wings are missing.

• The character "Grandmother Willow" is portrayed as a large, talking weeping willow tree, but weeping willows are native to Eurasia and were not grown in North America until the late 1700s, over 100 years after the events surrounding Pocahontas.

• Many contend the flag used by the settlers is wrong. However, the 1801 Union Jack (including the St Patrick's Cross) only appears when Ratcliffe plants it upon setting foot in Virginia. The flag on the ship accurately depicts the union flag of 1606.

• The scene where Pocahontas is holding John's compass is another goof, because compasses point north, and the sun doesn't rise in the north.

Trivia

• The first Disney animated film to be based on fact. It was soon followed by Mulan.
• The first Disney film to center on an interracial romance. It was followed immediately by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was the second Disney film ever to do so.
• The on-screen death of a human protagonist (Kocoum) in a Disney film for the first time. There have, however, been off-screen deaths of human antagonists in the past; as well as on-screen deaths since. Kocoum also remains the only human Disney character ever to be killed by gunshot.
• The film's premiere occurred in Central Park in New York City. Over 100,000 people were in attendance; it holds the record for the largest movie premiere ever.
• Numerous attempts have been made to turn Pocahontas into a live-action Disney musical, akin to The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. However, it has been difficult to logistically transfer the film to the stage because of potential technical problems. A stage is limited by size, and several scenes such as "Colors of the Wind" and the final scene where Pocahontas runs after the English ship, would have to be reconceived entirely, which would likely diminish their crucial power on the story.
• The battle scenes between the Natives and the English are dramatised in the hugely popular night time show at the Disney-MGM Studios, Fantasmic!. The relationships between Pocahontas and the Earth, and Pocahontas and John Smith tie into the show's theme of good triumphing over evil. The segment featuring Pocahontas replaced the corresponding segment in the original version of the show performed at Disneyland featuring Peter Pan.
• Pocahontas is the only official Disney Princess who does not make an appearance in any of the Kingdom Hearts games.
• Although the speaking voice of Pocahontas was performed by Irene Bedard, a Native-American, the singing voice was performed by notable Broadway singer Judy Kuhn.

• Figure skating legend Michelle Kwan skated to the songs Just Around the Riverbend, Listen With Your Heart, and the finale score from the film, dressed as Pocahontas is in the film, in the Ladies Ultimate Four of the 1996 World Figure Skating Championships. She won the gold with this performance.[2]
• The wind-carried pink and orange leaves are very important symbolism in the movie. At first, they are surrounding Pocahontas when we first meet her, indicating her spirit. Then, they come again, as a symbol of a path, when she encounters John Smith, and the leaves circle around them. When Pocahontas gets the compass to tell her where John Smith is, it guides her towards John. Then, they come again towards Powhatan, but it seems like the wind is informing him of Pocahontas's and John's love for each other when he is about to kill John. Then, when John is on the boat, leaving, and Pocahontas is on the cliff, the leaves go from her to him, signifying the bond between them will never fade away.
• According to Disney-MGM Studios crew, Meeko the raccoon was originally an abandoned character that was dropped and was replaced with a turkey, but the staff was unsatisfied with this decision, so the turkey was scrapped and Meeko was brought back in.
• Flit the hummingbird is most likely based on the hummingbirds in the 1946 Disney film Song of the South, as they look extremely alike.
• In Aladdin and the King of Thieves, during a brief scene where Genie becomes multiple soldiers jumping out of a plane, the first shouts "Geronimo!" the second yells "Arapaho!" the third yells "Navajo!", and the fourth is Genie transformed into none other than Pocahontas, and says "Pocahontas!".
• A Hidden Mickey can be spotted during the Colors of the Wind segment. When Pocahontas sings the line "...or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?", it can be seen in the upper right of the screen, formed by three stars.
• Pocahontas is parodied in the Dexter's Laboratory episode, Way of the Dee Dee. Dressed similarly to Pocahontas, Dee Dee runs through her backyard with a sunflower background strikingly similar to the one seen in the movie and says to Dexter, "But can you see it? Can you smell it? Can you feel it? Can you sing with all the colors of the rain?", a brief spoof of Colors of the Wind.
• Pocahontas and Kocoum are another example of an arranged marriage in a Disney film, preceded by Aurora and Phillip of Sleeping Beauty and Simba and Nala of The Lion King. Unlike the others, however, Pocahontas and Kocoum's marriage arrangement is never followed through. Aladdin also contained a more loose idea of arranged marriage that was a key factor in the film's story.

Soundtrack Listing

1. The Virginia Company - Chorus
2. Ship At Sea (Instrumental)
3. The Virginia Company (Reprise) - Mel Gibson & Chorus
4. Steady As The Beating Drum (Main Title) - Chorus
5. Steady As The Beating Drum (Reprise) - Jim Cummings
6. Just Around The Riverbend - Judy Kuhn
7. Grandmother Willow (Instrumental)
8. Listen With Your Heart I - Linda Hunt/ Bobbi Page
9. Mine, Mine, Mine - David Ogden Stiers/ Mel Gibson
10. Listen With Your Heart II - Linda Hunt/ Bobbi Page
11. Colors Of The Wind - Judy Kuhn
12. Savages (Part 1) - David Ogden Stiers/ Jim Cummings
13. Savages (Part 2) - Judy Kuhn/ David Ogden Stiers
14. I'll Never See Him Again (Instrumental)
15. Pocahontas (Instrumental)
16. Council Meeting (Instrumental)
17. Percy's Bath (Instrumental)
18. River's Edge (Instrumental)
19. Skirmish (Instrumental)
20. Getting Acquainted (Instrumental)
21. Ratcliffe's Plan (Instrumental)
22. Picking Corn (Instrumental)
23. The Warriors Arrive (Instrumental)
24. John Smith Sneaks Out (Instrumental)
25. Execution (Instrumental)
26. Farewell (Instrumental)
27. Colors Of The Wind (End Title) - Vanessa Williams
28. If I Never Knew You (End Title) - Jon Secada & Shanice

Changes

• The first part of the song Savages received a slight change in lyrics before theatrical release. The original lyrics were:

What can you expect/ from filthy little heathens?/ Their whole disgusting race is like a curse!

After poor testing with the original highly inflammatory lyrics, they were changed to:

What can you expect/ from filthy little heathens?/ Here's what you get when the races are diverse!

As well as a line shouted by Ratcliffe, toward the end of the first portion of the song, originally being:

Lets go kill a few, men!

Was replaced with Ben exclaiming:

Lets go get a few men!

And yet another line at the end of the first chorus:

Dirty redskin devils, now we sound the drums of war!

Was changed to:

Dirty shrieking devils, now we sound the drums of war!

The original lines are retained on the CD soundtrack, however.

• On the 10th Anniversary re-release DVD of the film, new songs were revealed in the deleted scenes, including a reprise of "Just Around the Riverbend" before the song "Savages (Part 2)," alternate versions of "Steady as the Beating Drum (Reprise)" and "Virginia Company (reprise)," and songs called "In the Middle of the River" (sung by Pocahontas and John Smith) and "Dancing to the Wedding Drum" (sung by the Native Americans to Pocahontas). In the film itself, "If I Never Knew You" as sung by Pocahontas and John Smith was included, as well as a reprise.

Credits

Voice cast

Singing voices

Video Game

A video game based on the movie with the same title, Pocahontas, was release on the Sega Genesis/Megadrive on January 1, 1996. It was followed by a later release for the Nintendo Gameboy on June 10, 1996, nearly a year after the film's premiere.

In the game, the player plays as Pocahontas and Meeko, switching between the two frequently to overcome various obstacles, with the help of NPC Flit. Along the way, as Pocahontas, the player gains various new abilities from various animal spirits by helping them. The game, like most film-based games, follows the plot of the movie, but with many variations in situations and events.

See also

• List of Disney animated features
• The New World

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