Pocahontas (c. 1595 - bur. March 21, 1617) was a Native American woman who married an Englishman, John Rolfe, and became a celebrity in London in the last year of her life. She was a daughter of Wahunsunacock (also known as Chief or Emperor Powhatan), who ruled an area encompassing almost all of the neighboring tribes in the Tidewater region of Virginia (called Tenakomakah at the time). Her formal names were Matoaka and Amonute; ‘Pocahontas’ was a childhood nickname referring to her frolicsome nature (in the Powhatan language it meant “little wanton”, according to William Strachey). After her baptism, she went by the name Rebecca, becoming Rebecca Rolfe on her marriage.

John Rolfe and Pocahontas being married at Jamestown April 1, 1614

Pocahontas is the thirty-third animated feature in the Disney animated features canon. It was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation with pencil test began in April 15, 1994 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 (though not to the point of marriage).

A musical with songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, Pocahontas’ theme song, “Colors of the Wind”, performed by Vanessa Williams, 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.

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 are 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, due to Kocoum’s serious and stoic demeanor. Pocahontas travels to an enchanted glade to ask advice from the talking tree Grandmother Willow. Grandmother Willow tells Pocahontas to listen with her heart.

     John Smith and Pocahontas from Disney's movie

The settlers land in Virginia and Pocahontas observes from the bushes, unseen. They 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.

Pocahontas statue at Jamestown
Island (copy is in St. Georges
Church yard, England)

A few days later, John decides to revisit Pocahontas. He locates her with her friend Nakoma. Pocahontas asks Nakoma not to say anything. Pocahontas and John sneak off to the enchanted glade where John meets Grandmother Willow and learns that there is no gold. John and Pocahontas agree to meet again that night, despite the danger.

When Pocahontas returns to the village, some brothers of the Powhatan tribe have arrived to help them destroy the white men. Pocahontas tries to convince her father to talk instead of fight. Smith arrives back at the fort, and tells Ratcliffe that a native told him there is no gold. Ratcliffe believes this is a lie. That night, Nakoma catches Pocahontas sneaking off and begs her not to go. Pocahontas says she must. Worried, Nakoma tells Kocoum. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe orders Thomas to follow Smith.

John and Pocahontas meet in the enchanted glade. Grandmother Willow convinces John that he can help bring peace. Pocahontas and John kiss; Thomas and Kocoum both watch from the shadows, astonished. Kocoum attacks John; Thomas fatally shoots Kocoum. Hearing voices approaching, John tells Thomas to run. A group of natives arrive, take

John prisoner, and carry off Kocoum’s body. Powhatan announces that John will be killed at sunrise. Pocahontas visits John and says it would have been better had they never met, but John says he would rather die than not know her.

Back at the fort, Thomas announces John’s capture. Ratcliffe sees this as an opportunity to attack the natives, hoping to gain their gold, and declares that they will attack at dawn. The settlers arrive as John is about to be killed. Pocahontas throws herself over John, telling her father that if he kills John, he will have to kill her as well. Powhatan is persuaded, and John is freed. Ratcliffe orders the settlers to fire anyway, but they refuse as they see that the Powhatans’ release of John as an act of peace. Ratcliffe fires at Chief Powhatan himself, but John pushes the chief aside and is shot instead. The settlers turn on Ratcliffe, and he is stripped of his weapons, chained and gagged.

Luckily, John is only wounded, but he must return to England for medical treatment if he is to survive. Pocahontas and her people arrive at the settlement carrying baskets of corn. After Chief Powhatan thanks him for saving his life, Pocahontas promises John, “No matter what happens, I will always be with you. Forever.” Pocahontas runs to a high cliff to watch as John’s ship sails away.