The New World: Movie Review
The New World
Daniel Patrick
7/29/13
HIST151E31
The New World is a 2006 historical drama set in the early 1600’s, as settlers come from Britain to begin exploring and colonizing the American continents. Written and directed by American director and writer, Terrence Malick, The New World depicts the foundation of Jamestown, the story of John Smith, and their relationships with Pocahontas. The film stars Collin Farrell as John Smith, Q'orianka Kilcher as Pocahontas, Christopher Plummer as Captain Newport, and Christian Bale as John Rolfe. Produced by Sarah Green, the film received strong positive reviews for its cinematography, score, and young 15 year old Q'orianka Kilcher’s performance as Pocahontas. (Boehm 1-5) The movie opens up to three ships of settlers sailing up the James River in Southeastern Virginia, arriving at the soon to be settlement of Jamestown. While establishing the foundations of the first settlement, Captain Newport and a young John Smith make peaceful, first contact with groups of Natives. As time moves on, John Smith is elected to travel further up the James River to become acquainted/ raid local tribes. Unfortunately, the persistent Smith is ambushed and abducted by the Native Americans. While there, his life is spared, thanks to Pocahontas and her curiosity of his kind. We see Smith adapt to the tribes way of life and literally become one of them until he is set free. In that time he has built a romantic relationship with Pocahontas.
Smith arrives back at Jamestown to a starving and sickened settlement. While Smith regains order, thanks to the help of Pocahontas, the Indian Chief is under the impression that the settlers are to leave. When they don’t chaos erupts and the Indians throw a fully fledged attack against the settlers. After the battle is nearly lost, Smith learns that he is summoned back to Britain to begin his own voyage of the north. At this point Pocahontas is banned from her tribe and Smith has formed a strong relationship.
Daniel Patrick
7/29/13
HIST151E31
The New World is a 2006 historical drama set in the early 1600’s, as settlers come from Britain to begin exploring and colonizing the American continents. Written and directed by American director and writer, Terrence Malick, The New World depicts the foundation of Jamestown, the story of John Smith, and their relationships with Pocahontas. The film stars Collin Farrell as John Smith, Q'orianka Kilcher as Pocahontas, Christopher Plummer as Captain Newport, and Christian Bale as John Rolfe. Produced by Sarah Green, the film received strong positive reviews for its cinematography, score, and young 15 year old Q'orianka Kilcher’s performance as Pocahontas. (Boehm 1-5) The movie opens up to three ships of settlers sailing up the James River in Southeastern Virginia, arriving at the soon to be settlement of Jamestown. While establishing the foundations of the first settlement, Captain Newport and a young John Smith make peaceful, first contact with groups of Natives. As time moves on, John Smith is elected to travel further up the James River to become acquainted/ raid local tribes. Unfortunately, the persistent Smith is ambushed and abducted by the Native Americans. While there, his life is spared, thanks to Pocahontas and her curiosity of his kind. We see Smith adapt to the tribes way of life and literally become one of them until he is set free. In that time he has built a romantic relationship with Pocahontas.
Smith arrives back at Jamestown to a starving and sickened settlement. While Smith regains order, thanks to the help of Pocahontas, the Indian Chief is under the impression that the settlers are to leave. When they don’t chaos erupts and the Indians throw a fully fledged attack against the settlers. After the battle is nearly lost, Smith learns that he is summoned back to Britain to begin his own voyage of the north. At this point Pocahontas is banned from her tribe and Smith has formed a strong relationship.
Bibliography: Brinkley, Alan. "Transplantations and Borderlands." The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 28-32. Print. Cavendish, Richard. "Jamestown, Enduring Settlement of English Virginia." History Today 57.5 (2007): 24. Academic Search Elite. Web. 8 July 2013. Cooper, Catherine W. "The Legacies Of Captain John Smith." American Geographical Society 's Focus On Geography 50.1 (2007): 30-36. Academic Search Elite. Web. 8 July 2013. Gleach, Frederic W. "The Ritual World Of Pocahontas." Natural History 115.9 (2006): 40-46. Academic Search Elite. Web. 8 July 2013. Paschke, Jean. "Pocahontas: An Indian Princess In King James ' Court." British Heritage 27.4 (2006): 53-54. Academic Search Elite. Web. 8 July 2013.