Pocahontas **** (1995, voices of Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers) Classic Movie Review 2222

Directors Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg’s double-Oscar-winning 1995 Walt Disney animated feature tells the feminist cartoon tale of the Native American young woman Pocahontas (voice of Irene Bedard; singing voice of Judy Kuhn), whose life changes radically when English colonists invade 17th-century Virginia. It is interesting as another departure for the studio as the first Disney animated film to be based on a real historic character, as well as the known history, folklore and legend surrounding her and her era.

Algonquin chief Powhatan (voice of Russell Means) has promised Pocahontas as bride to his village’s greatest warrior. But she falls for British soldier plunderer Captain John Smith (Mel Gibson, in his voice acting debut) after he arrives by a ship that lands near her village from England for a spot of pilfering from the Native Americans, intending to plunder its riches for Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers).

The 33rd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, it was made in the Disney renaissance era that lasted a decade from 1989 to 1999. And, though this is a fairly good movie, nevertheless it is a step down from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Aladdin and The Lion King, and was the first sign that the 90s Disney cartoon bubble was, though not about to burst, but at least slightly losing its bounce. The film was the only one in the Disney renaissance era to receive mixed reviews, but it was a financial success, taking over $346 million at the box office.

In a glum story that romanticises, embroiders on and fictionalises the real one from history, everything’s too squeaky clean, right-on and just not much fun. And some British audiences found Hollywood’s usual English-bashing irritating, if not actually alienating. It’s a film by committee. Based on an idea by Mike Gabriel,  the screenplay is by Carl Binder, Susannah Grant and Philip LaZebnik. Tom Sito is story supervisor, artistic. Twelve other people are credited for the story and another 11 for additional story development.

In addition, most of the songs and animation are pretty indifferent, with the animal comedy characters rather annoying and out-of-place in the historical feminist story. It’s a story that really doesn’t need cosy, sentimental ‘funny’ animals. It just doesn’t suit it, it’s not a comfortable fit for Disney’s usual stuff. The love theme If I Never Knew You, The Virginia Company, Steady as the Beating Drum, Just Around the Riverbend, Listen with Your Heart I II III, Mine Mine Mine and Savages are all only moderate songs.

And, though some of the voices are attractive, Mel Gibson sings rather feebly. Some kids in the multi-media preview audience were mystified by the story and seemed bored. Still, the score and Alan Menken-Stephen Schwartz’s song Colors of the Wind won Best Original Score and Best Original Oscars. The song also won a Golden Globe. Again there were no Bafta awards.

Also in the voice cast are Christian Bale, Linda Hunt, Billy Connolly, John Kassir and Frank Welker.

A video game based on the film was released shortly after the film’s theatrical release, and the film was followed by a direct-to-video sequel entitled Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World in 1998.

The real Pocahontas is said to have saved John Smith’s life in 1607 by placing her head on his own when her father raised his war club to execute him but most historians believe this story, as told by Smith, is untrue.

Pocahontas was captured by the English during Anglo-Indian hostilities in 1613 and held for ransom. She chose to remain with the English and in April 1614 married tobacco planter John Rolfe and in January 1615 had a son, Thomas. In 1616, the Rolfes travelled to London where Pocahontas became a society celebrity, but died at Gravesend in 1617 on the way back to Virginia.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2222

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