Pocahontas (1995 - Disney)

Pocahontas is the 1995 Disney feature centered around the arrival of the first permanent English settlers of North America in 1607.  The story focuses on the  culture clash between the English and the Powhatans, a native tribe.

This was the first Disney feature based on the lives of real people and centered around historical events.  The story of Pocahontas is such an odd story to depict as a children's cartoon.   English colonization of North America is obviously controversial.  And the actual history does not go well for either side. 

Disney decided to handle the native/invader conflict by adopting moral equivalence.  The film shows both the natives and the English to be war like and aggressive.  From a scientific perspective this is oddly sound.  There is a growing amount of evidence that when human groups clash the outcome is not based upon cultural superiority but simply the geographical origin of the groups involved.

From an artistic perspective Pocahontas is always well done but never stunning.  The geography depicted all exists somewhere  in the state of Virginia but certainly not at the coast.  The native females run around in very little clothing and the Englishmen are largely interchangeable.  

***spoilers***

The biggest flaw with the story is the plot.  Pocahontas does indeed save John Smith from being executed, per the historical record.  Although not before her beau is murdered on camera, another Disney first.  Despite the violence, you never feel as if Smith is ever in any real danger. 

Pocahontas and Smith then intervene in the growing conflict between their two peoples and stop war from breaking out.  And in the end the English sail off, leaving the natives in peace.  The result is a film that's anti-climatic and leaves the typical viewer confused.  Because we were all taught in history class that Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement.

And yes, the film is a musical.  And yes, the songs are pretty good, if you're into that.  Although I would state that the earlier songs don't flow too well with the plot.  But they sync up by the grand finale.

From a historical perspective, Pocahontas is a whitewash on all sides.  "So, mommy, what happened to everyone after the movie?" was probably a very popular question after kids saw this film. 

Pocahontas was captured by the English, converted to Christianity and married, wait for it, tobacco farmer John Rolfe.   She traveled to England were she died of disease at the age of 21.  Rolfe and Pocahontas had a son who went on to great success.  Their heirs include two First Ladies.

Governor Radcliffe, far from the bad guy shown in the film, is ambushed on a trading mission and is ritually murdered by the natives.

The Powhatan - after her father died, Pocahontas' uncle took charge of the tribe and lead two wars against the English.  By 1646 the tribe had ceased to exist.

The English - within two years almost all of the colonists and their replacements had died

So Disney picked a moment in time, a very brief moment, when everything could be left all perfect and happy.  Right before everyone dies.  It's too bad they skipped showing the plague.  What song would they have written for that?

1.5/4 stars