On this day 25 years ago, Disney released the classic Pocahontas – a story based on a native American girl who falls in love with the dashing English sailor, John Smith.
Pocahontas is a tale of how two differentiating worlds come together. Captain John Smith (voiced by Mel Gibson) – an English Sailor and the rest of his crew journey to the “New World” to own the land and begin their new lives.
On this land, Chief Powhatan rules and by his side is his beloved daughter Pocahontas – whom he has promised in marriage to the bravest warrior Kocoum. However, Pocahontas meets John Smith and they instantly fall in love. It is a relationship that is forbidden, but when these two are together the chemistry is undeniable.
However, the evil Governor Ratcliffe sets out to take the land for himself and deprive the natives of their home. With some tragedy along the way, will love conquer?
Even all these years later, Pocahontas is one of those Disney classics with a powerful and triumphant soundtrack with some stand out songs, a gripping story line and a strong and empowering protagonist. The soundtrack is one of the main successes of this cinematic piece.
The tracks “Colours of the Wind” and “Just around the riverbend” are the most powerful performances – sung by Irene Bedard. Not only are they sung with depth and pure emotion, but both these songs provide a message to John Smith and the viewers to notice their surroundings and be at one with nature.
What makes this film even better is that it is based on a real-life figure. Like many Disney films – such as the fairy tales – they take the original and put their unique Disney spin on it to capture the imagination and love of audiences. Pocahontas does just this as the film showcases the strong women this cultural figure was.
Although this may be a cartoon (and we do not see the actors in reality and only hear their voices) the chemistry Irene Bedard and Mel Gibson create between Pocahontas and John Smith is undeniable and is a pairing that will go down in Disney history. It is one of those loves that changes each other for the better and makes each other realise what they have both been missing.
This is why it is hard to pitfall this film because again it is a Disney classic and offers all that you would want from a Disney cinematic experience.
Ultimately, Pocahontas is an astounding love story that captures audiences, even all these years later as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
By Katie Green
Feature image credit: The Mary Sue