The New World (2005)

The New World - 2005

Coming up next is 2005's "The New World", a retelling of the familiar story of Pocahontas and John Smith and the founding of the settlement at Jamestown.

The film's cast includes Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, August Schellenberg, David Thewlis, Ben Mendelsohn, Noah Taylor, Janine Duvitski, Irene Bedard, and Jonathan Pryce.

It's 1607, and the settlers from England have made their way to the New World (and what is now Virginia) and found what they believe is the ideal place to land.

The Native Americans (or "Naturals" as the captain calls them) watch with trepidation in their hearts and these strange men come to their shores.

The settlers search the area once they make landfall.  The land seems to be rich in food and natural resources.

While he's out exploring, Captain John Smith comes across a young Indian girl (whom we know as Pocahontas).  They don't speak, but an instant bond is evident between them.

Such things as sickness, shortage of supplies, etc. cause the settlers, led by John Smith, to travel inland and find the group of "Naturals" so they can trade with them.

His companions are killed and John Smith is taken captive by the Native Americans.  He is brought before their leader, Chief Powhatan.

Just as he's about to be executed, the chief's daughter, Pocahontas, throws herself over John and saves his life.

The two spend a lot of time together, learning about each other's language and way of life.

They also fall deeply in love.

Chief Powhatan sends John Smith back to his settlement.  He's told that they will be safe as long as they leave and go back where they came from in the spring.  When Smith returns to Jamestown, he discovers conditions are horrible.  Hunger, disease, and mutiny are afoot.

During a particularly harsh winter, Pocahontas brings the settlers some much needed supplies.  She does this without the knowledge of her father, who would be furious with her for aiding them.

In the spring, Chief Powhatan finds the settlers have no intention of leaving and attacks them, hoping to drive them away.  He's also found out that Pocahontas helped them during the winter, and he exiles her.  She goes to live at the Jamestown settlement.

Though they spend a lot of time together, Smith finds out that the King of England wants him to explore a passage to the East Indies.  Smith doesn't know what he should do: stay with Pocahontas or go in search of glory.

Pocahontas, meanwhile, must learn the ways of the English.  She dresses in their clothes for the first time and takes her first steps in shoes.

After going back and forth on his decision, John Smith decides to leave Virginia and Pocahontas behind and go and search for the East Indies.

Before he goes, he leaves instruction that Pocahontas is to be told that he's died at sea.  When she is so informed, a tidal wave of grief overcomes her.

She goes through the motions of learning to read and write English, but nothing can console her sad heart.

A settler named John Rolfe takes an interest in her, and the two begin spending a lot of time together.  He eventually lifts her from her depression.

Pocahontas even agrees to marry him.  She converts to Christianity and takes the name "Rebecca".

The years and seasons roll by, and Pocahontas has a son named Thomas.

One day in Jamestown, Pocahontas learns the truth that John Smith is alive.  She's shocked, saddened, and dismayed.

She begins to pull away from John Rolfe.  Eventually they take an opportunity to go and visit England.

Upon arrival, Pocahontas is captivated by all she sees in London.  She's treated with much respect as the daughter of a King.  People bow and curtsy to her wherever she goes.  She also shows much kindness to the people she meets.

She's the toast of the town.  She is even summoned to an audience with the King and Queen, where they view wildlife and objects from the New World.

After the excitement of their arrival, Pocahontas and John Rolfe lead a quiet life in the country.

Unexpectedly, John Smith comes to see Pocahontas, and she nervously goes out to meet him.

He tells her that he regrets leaving her.  They share a proper goodbye, and the two never see each other again.

Once her meeting with Smith is passed, Pocahontas sees her husband with a light in her eyes.

She is happy and content with her family at their home.  She joyously rushes about the grounds turning cartwheels and dancing in the rain.

Unfortunately, just as the family is making plans to return to the New World, Pocahontas catches pneumonia and dies.  She is buried in England.

John Rolfe returns with his son to Virginia and the woods and rivers that Pocahontas knew and loved so well.

Cast rundown:

   Colin Farrell..........................................Captain John Smith

   Q'orianka Kilcher....................................Pocahontas

   Christopher Plummer..............................Captain Newport

   Christian Bale........................................John Rolfe

   August Schellenberg...............................Chief Powhatan

   David Thewlis........................................Wingfield

   Ben Mendelsohn.....................................Ben

   Noah Taylor...........................................Selway

   Janine Duvitski......................................Mary

   Irene Bedard.........................................Pocahontas's Mother

   Jonathan Pryce......................................King James

And that's all for The New World.  The film received mixed reviews when it first opened, but it has garnered more and more positive reviews over time.  It's very beautifully filmed.  It's also unique in the dialogue is more voiceover than actual conversation.  Another unique aspect of the film is that Pocahontas's name is never said.  Irene Bedard, who portrayed Pocahontas in the 1995 animated Disney film, portrays Pocahontas's mother in this adaptation.  Christian Bale also appeared as a supporting character in the animated movie.

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