Pocahontas
Director: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg
Cast: Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, Christian Bale, David Stiers, Linda Hunt.
Falling in the middle of the Disney Renaissance Era, Disney’s 33rd animated feature, Pocahontas, is one of the most unique and culturally diverse films in the Disney animated canon. The story brings to life the incredible journey of a young Native American woman named Pocahontas, who falls in love with John Smith and ultimately plays a vital role in creating peace and understanding between her people and the English settlers.
One element which makes Pocahontas stand out is a relationship which is not often manifested in Disney movies: the connection between mother and daughter. While her mother is never physically present, there is a very powerful connection between mother and daughter that plays a crucial role in Pocahontas’s journey. Pocahontas is a strong woman with an independent spirit and a courageous heart, which surpasses her age and makes her unique from others in her tribe. Her tribe recognizes that Pocahontas has her mother’s spirit. She is her mother’s daughter, and her determination to find her own course, rather than submitting to the path that others choose for her, honors her mother’s legacy to this Disney heroine.
The strongest connection that Pocahontas has to her mother is through Grandmother Willow, (Linda Hunt) a wise tree spirit who Pocahontas communes with when she needs counsel and encouragement. While Pocahontas is the chief’s daughter and could seek advice from her father, her friend, Nakoma, or even her fiancé, she chooses instead to commune with Grandmother Willow. I believe this is significant because, for Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow represents a connection with her mother, in the sense that her mother sought advice from Grandmother Willow, and also because Grandmother Willow is a mother-like figure herself. Grandmother Willow guides Pocahontas not only in finding her own path, but also in creating peace between her people and the invading settlers.
The necklace that Pocahontas is given represents a significant symbol in the movie, as well as a connection between Pocahontas and her mother. In the beginning, her father gives Pocahontas her mother’s necklace to commemorate her marriage to Kokoum, the warrior who has asked for her hand. When Kokoum is killed, the necklace breaks as he falls. Consequently, the smoldering distrust between the Native Americans and the settlers also erupts into an uncontrolled rage, which motivates both sides to go to war. In the aftermath of an underwhelmed battle, Pocahontas says goodbye to John, and the animals present her with the restored necklace. I think the restoration of the necklace symbolizes healing, and the two conflicting factions ultimately coming together as one whole.
Prejudice is one of the most significant themes in Pocahontas, and one that creates extreme dissension between the two opposing cultures. The motivation of both factions is borne from ignorance and fear, which is then cultivated into blind hatred and a gross lack of cultural understanding, leading to the violent outbreak of war. The malignant attitude expressed by both the Native American tribe and the settlers is the most significant example of prejudice that is illustrated in the film. The most troubling thing about this conflict is not that they loathe each other (because they both have legitimate cause to), but because of the illogical rationale which both sides convey to defend their actions. According to Governor Ratcliffe, the leader of the settlers and the dark villain of the story, the motivation for going to war with the Native American’s is simple (albeit narcissistic and saturated in ignorance). As he rallies his men for war, he expresses the sentiment “they’re not like you and me…which means they must be evil.” He doesn’t stop to consider the ramifications of his actions. He simply believes that because the Indians are not a reflection of what he represents, that his only option is to destroy them. Likewise, the Indians express the same predilection that the settlers do.
Also, the animals on both sides of the cultural divide reflect the feelings of their respective cultures. When Meeko the raccoon and Percy the dog initially encounter each other, there is an instantaneous contempt that is established in their characters. While some element of this is perhaps to add comic relief to the movie, there is concurrence between their behavior and that of their human counterparts. In the end, the two finally reconcile their differences and become friends.
Following in the footsteps of previous films in the Disney Renaissance, Pocahontas was recognized by the world as being a truly exceptional film. Pocahontas won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz as well as Best Music, Original Song forAlan Menken (music) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics) for their incredible collaboration on the song "Colors of the Wind". Pocahontas went on to win the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz also for “Colors of the Wind”.
Pocahontas is a film that is either shunned or beloved by followers of Disney animation. While the unique quality of the story casts an exceedingly different tone in comparison to other love stories in the Disney genre, (due to it originating from historical roots rather than from fairy tale), the fundamental messages woven through the film bring to life a unique perspective which both children and adults may relate to. The stunning and creative animation and the exceptional casting add a rich and vibrant texture to the film. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who follows Disney animation.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg
Cast: Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, Christian Bale, David Stiers, Linda Hunt.
Falling in the middle of the Disney Renaissance Era, Disney’s 33rd animated feature, Pocahontas, is one of the most unique and culturally diverse films in the Disney animated canon. The story brings to life the incredible journey of a young Native American woman named Pocahontas, who falls in love with John Smith and ultimately plays a vital role in creating peace and understanding between her people and the English settlers.
One element which makes Pocahontas stand out is a relationship which is not often manifested in Disney movies: the connection between mother and daughter. While her mother is never physically present, there is a very powerful connection between mother and daughter that plays a crucial role in Pocahontas’s journey. Pocahontas is a strong woman with an independent spirit and a courageous heart, which surpasses her age and makes her unique from others in her tribe. Her tribe recognizes that Pocahontas has her mother’s spirit. She is her mother’s daughter, and her determination to find her own course, rather than submitting to the path that others choose for her, honors her mother’s legacy to this Disney heroine.
The strongest connection that Pocahontas has to her mother is through Grandmother Willow, (Linda Hunt) a wise tree spirit who Pocahontas communes with when she needs counsel and encouragement. While Pocahontas is the chief’s daughter and could seek advice from her father, her friend, Nakoma, or even her fiancé, she chooses instead to commune with Grandmother Willow. I believe this is significant because, for Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow represents a connection with her mother, in the sense that her mother sought advice from Grandmother Willow, and also because Grandmother Willow is a mother-like figure herself. Grandmother Willow guides Pocahontas not only in finding her own path, but also in creating peace between her people and the invading settlers.
The necklace that Pocahontas is given represents a significant symbol in the movie, as well as a connection between Pocahontas and her mother. In the beginning, her father gives Pocahontas her mother’s necklace to commemorate her marriage to Kokoum, the warrior who has asked for her hand. When Kokoum is killed, the necklace breaks as he falls. Consequently, the smoldering distrust between the Native Americans and the settlers also erupts into an uncontrolled rage, which motivates both sides to go to war. In the aftermath of an underwhelmed battle, Pocahontas says goodbye to John, and the animals present her with the restored necklace. I think the restoration of the necklace symbolizes healing, and the two conflicting factions ultimately coming together as one whole.
Prejudice is one of the most significant themes in Pocahontas, and one that creates extreme dissension between the two opposing cultures. The motivation of both factions is borne from ignorance and fear, which is then cultivated into blind hatred and a gross lack of cultural understanding, leading to the violent outbreak of war. The malignant attitude expressed by both the Native American tribe and the settlers is the most significant example of prejudice that is illustrated in the film. The most troubling thing about this conflict is not that they loathe each other (because they both have legitimate cause to), but because of the illogical rationale which both sides convey to defend their actions. According to Governor Ratcliffe, the leader of the settlers and the dark villain of the story, the motivation for going to war with the Native American’s is simple (albeit narcissistic and saturated in ignorance). As he rallies his men for war, he expresses the sentiment “they’re not like you and me…which means they must be evil.” He doesn’t stop to consider the ramifications of his actions. He simply believes that because the Indians are not a reflection of what he represents, that his only option is to destroy them. Likewise, the Indians express the same predilection that the settlers do.
Also, the animals on both sides of the cultural divide reflect the feelings of their respective cultures. When Meeko the raccoon and Percy the dog initially encounter each other, there is an instantaneous contempt that is established in their characters. While some element of this is perhaps to add comic relief to the movie, there is concurrence between their behavior and that of their human counterparts. In the end, the two finally reconcile their differences and become friends.
Following in the footsteps of previous films in the Disney Renaissance, Pocahontas was recognized by the world as being a truly exceptional film. Pocahontas won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz as well as Best Music, Original Song forAlan Menken (music) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics) for their incredible collaboration on the song "Colors of the Wind". Pocahontas went on to win the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz also for “Colors of the Wind”.
Pocahontas is a film that is either shunned or beloved by followers of Disney animation. While the unique quality of the story casts an exceedingly different tone in comparison to other love stories in the Disney genre, (due to it originating from historical roots rather than from fairy tale), the fundamental messages woven through the film bring to life a unique perspective which both children and adults may relate to. The stunning and creative animation and the exceptional casting add a rich and vibrant texture to the film. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who follows Disney animation.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.