Pocahontas

Contrasting all those other movies that show special effects and high speed car races, Pocahontas is all about appreciating the natural world and trusting our inner most feelings.

Based on real historical events, Pocahontas depicts a slightly different version of John Smith's expedition to Virginia.

In 1607, a ship carrying British settlers sails for North America in search of gold. The handsome Captain John Smith leads the band of rag-tag English Sailors while Governor Ratcliffe lazily lounges around giving orders.

Meanwhile, in the Powhatan tribe, Pocahontas, the beautiful daughter of Chief Powhatan learns that she is to marry the tribes greatest warrier Kocoum. Pocahontas thinks Kocoum is too serious for her wild natrue and travels to an enchanted glade to ask for advice from the talking tree Grandmother Willow. Pocahontas has had a dream of a spinning arrow that is telling her that change is coming. Grandmother Willow tells Pocahontas to listen with her heart.

When the settlers arrive in Virginia the Powhatans cautiously observe them, hoping they mean no harm and will leave soon. But alas, one of the Powhatan warriors is spotted and a battle ensues. Chief Powhatan declares that the 'pale face' white men are dangerous and no one is to go near them.

While the two groups are busy shooting at each other, Pocahontas and John Smith meet and patiently learn about each other. When John explains that the settlers want to develop houses and teach 'savages' about civilization, Pocahontas sings "Colours of the Wind" to explain the value of the natural world as it is. While the Powhatans are simple, they have valuable wisdom that cannot be taugh by the settlers.

A few days later, John decides to revisit Pocahontas. Pocahontas and John sneak off to the enchanted glade where John meets Grandmother Willow. Governor Radcliffe is convinced the 'savages' are hiding his gold so John decides to ask Pocahontas. The Powhatan's extreme purity and appreciation for the land is evident when John tries to explain what he is talking about by saying it is yellow and very valuable and Pocahontas pulls out a cob of corn. John Smith learns that here is no gold.

On both sides, the settlers and the warriors have decided to fight. A neighbouring tribe has arrived to help the Powhatans destroy the white men and the settlers decide to ambush the Powhatans.

John Smith returns to the settlement and tries to explain that there is no gold but Ratcliffe believes this is a lie. Pocahontas and Smith meet and talk about trying to convince both sides that there is no gold and there is no danger. Unfortunately, events do not always work the way they should. Smith gets mistakenly arrested and sentenced to death. As full out war is nearly waged, and Smith is about to be ended, Pocahontas stops everyone else in their tracks and says, "Look where the path of hatred has brought us!".

While I probably will not go live out in the wild now, this really makes you think about the things wee deem as imortant. We need to see the world in all its beauty, for the highest trees and the greatest star constelations. We needs to see other people and things from different points of view, because what for some might be a dangerous bear, is really just a mama looking after her babies. We need to keep dreaming and aiming for those things our hearts desire, because the things we seek might be 'just around the riverbend'. Appreciate the things around you and keep dreaming.