The next animated film that we feature is 1995's "Pocahontas", the story of an Indian princess who captures the heart of John Smith and brings peace between her people and his. The film's voice cast includes Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, Russell Means, Christian Bale, Linda Hunt, and Billy Connolly.
The story opens in 1607 with a ship from the Virginia Company heading to the New World. On board is Captain John Smith, a man destined for adventure.
In the New World, the Native Americans led by Chief Powhatan are welcoming his return from a successful war. He's happy to be home, but missing one person, his daughter, Pocahontas.
Pocahontas is a free spirit and does what she wishes instead of what's expected. When her father tells her that she should settle down and marry, and he's got an candidate named Kocoum, she shows hesitation.
He tells her she needs to be steady, like the river. She gazes into it and sees her own reflection, along with her raccoon Meeko and hummingbird Flik.
She takes one daring canoe ride as she sings the song "Just Around The Riverbend."
The river leads her to Grandmother Willow. Pocahontas tells her that she doesn't know which path to take. Grandmother Willow tells her to listen with her heart and she will understand.
While there, she feels things beginning to change, especially as the Virginia Company arrives in the New World.
Governor Ratcliffe has claimed the land for the English and named it Virginia. He tells John Smith to go out and search for Indians and see if they're friendly or hostile.
Once Smith leaves, Ratcliffe tells the rest of the men to get digging for gold, his real purpose in coming to the New World. He sings "Mine, Mine, Mine", and shows off his lust for riches.
Meanwhile, John Smith has gone deep into the heart of the forest. He comes to a waterfall and washes. He feels a presence there and quickly hides, drawing his gun.
That presence is Pocahontas. He draws his gun, but disarmed and captivated by her beauty, he puts down his weapon.
When he tries to approach her, she runs away and he follows. As he helps her out of her canoe, their kindred spirits touch and they bond.
As they try to explain each other's ways, Pocahontas finds a great many differences in the way the English think. She tries to explain how everything in life is connected.
She sings "Colors of the Wind", and asks Smith if he's ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon or asked the grinning bobcat why he grins. They also run the hidden pine trails of the forest.
It's an unforgettable song that keeps you smiling. (This song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.)
Pocahontas takes Smith to visit Grandmother Willow, and she wholeheartedly approves.
Meanwhile, the settlers and the Native Americans have been involved in a skirmish already, and reinforcements arrive to help Chief Powhatan in case a war happens.
He tells Pocahontas he doesn't want her to have anything to do with them. She tries to advocate peace, but he's not listening.
Smith has also been given orders not to have any dealings with the Indians. Not being able to stand being apart, Pocahontas goes to him against the advice of her best friend.
She and Smith kiss unaware that Kocoum, the intended fiance of Pocahontas, has followed them and is watching. He jumps into action with Smith in a jealous rage. One of the settlers has followed them as well, and wanting to protect Smith, fires his gun and kills Kocoum. Smith is taken captive by the Indians.
The capture of Smith is just the thing Governor Ratcliffe needs to spur on his dreams of war and gold. The Indians are ready to meet the challenge. They've also sentenced Smith to death.
The two armies have gathered and are waiting to see if Smith is killed. Just as he's about to be executed, Pocahontas throws herself on him, causing her father to stop. She tells him that this is not the way. There needs to be peace.
Powhatan takes to heart everything his daughter said, and he decides not to go ahead with the war. This angers Governor Ratcliffe. None of his men want to fight, so he takes matters into his own hands and grabs a rifle, aiming it at the Indian chief.
Seeing what's happening, Smith jumps between the bullet and Powhatan. He's gravely wounded. The settlers turn on Governor Ratcliffe and arrest him.
The settlers must get John Smith home to England so he can receive medical attention. First, they load up Governor Ratcliffe in chains to be tried for treason.
Smith asks Pocahontas to come with him. She wants to, but sees the need of a peacemaker between her people and his. She decides to stay. Pocahontas and Smith kiss before he is loaded onto the ship.
She runs to the highest point she can find and watches the ship carrying John Smith sail away. Cast rundown:
Mel Gibson.................................John Smith
David Ogden Stiers.....................Governor Ratcliffe/Wiggins
Russell Means.............................Powhatan
Christian Bale.............................Thomas
Linda Hunt.................................Grandmother Willow
Billy Connolly..............................Ben And that's it for Pocahontas. A fun fact: the movie was released on June 23, 1995, the four hundredth anniversary of the real Pocahontas's birth. One of my favorite things in this movie is the relationship between Governor Ratcliffe's dog Percy and Pocahontas's raccoon Meeko. It's hilarious to watch Meeko continuously push Percy out of his comfort zone. By the end of the movie, they're fast friends.
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