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 meant to tell of the encounter between the colonists of Jamestown, Virginia and its native Powhatan tribe. In particular, it presents a highly emotionally charged and dramatic account of the meeting between Pocahontas and John Smith. Pocahontas is one of the very few Disney films to feature an interracial romance; also, although the actual story of Pocahontas does say that she travels with John Smith to England to meet its royalty, this film version has John Smith leaving and Pocahontas staying behind.
A musical with songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, Pocahontas' theme song, "Colors of the Wind", won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Song. The film's score, also by Menken, won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. A video game based on the film was released across various platforms shortly after the film's theatrical release, and the film itself was followed by a direct-to-video sequel, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, in 1998.
Plot
In 1607, a ship carrying British settlers sails for North America in search of gold and other material riches, prepared for months of stay and with weapons to fight inhabitants that might impede their project. On board is handsome Captain John Smith and the greedy Governor Ratcliffe. A storm erupts, and John saves the life of a young settler named Thomas when Thomas falls overboard.
Meanwhile, the Powhatan tribe has just won a battle, led by warrior Kocoum. Pocahontas, Chief Powhatan's beautiful daughter, learns that her father wants her to marry Kocoum. She is not enthusiastic about this. Pocahontas travels to an enchanted glade to ask advice from the talking tree Grandmother Willow. Grandmother Willow tells Pocahontas to listen with her heart.
The settlers land in Virginia and Pocahontas observes from the bushes, unseen.
The settlers arrive to America, "The New World"
The settlers arrive to America, "The New World"
The settlers dig for gold under Ratcliffe's orders, as John explores the territory; Pocahontas follows him. He spots her and she begins to flee, but she remembers the advice to listen with her heart, and tells him her name. The warriors are also observing the settlers, but when they are seen, a battle ensues. The warriors retreat, and Powhatan declares that the white men are dangerous and that no one should go near them.
John Smith and Pocahontas get into a bit of a misunderstanding when John refers to Pocahontas' people as "savages." She sings "Colors of the Wind" to convince him that her people have a different kind of wisdom, but their time together is cut short when Pocahontas hears distant drumming, and she quickly leaves.
