The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

bitefilmreview BIG SCREEN FILM CLASSICS TheNewWorld T errence Malick did not disappoint with his remake of the legendary story of Pocahontas. The New World is a meditation on different kinds of paradise lost, found in the 2005 historical romantic drama. Emmanuel Lubezki was nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography at the 2006 Academy Awards, and Q’orianka Kilcher received the ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. Malick, who wrote and directed the film, proves that a beautifully done remake story can never bore an audience. The story explores the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia, settlement and is inspired by historical figures Captain John Smith, Englishman John Rolfe and Pocahontas of the Powhatan tribe. It is both ancient and modern; cinema at its purest. In 1607, Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher), the adven- turous daughter of Chief Powhatan (August Schellen- berg), and others from her tribe witnessed the arrival of three ships sent by the English royal charter to find a colony in the New World. Aboard one ship is Cap- tain John Smith (Colin Farell), sentenced to death for mutinous remarks but once ashore, is pardoned by Captain Christopher Newport (Christopher Plum- mer), leader of the expedition. Living as the Native Americans’ prisoner, Smith is treated well, earning the tribe’s friendship and respect. Admiring this new way of life, Smith and Pocahontas fall in love, to the mutual dismay of the Native Amer- icans and the British. Smith is sent away and reported dead. An unhappy and depressed Pocahontas meets new settler John Rolfe (Christian Bale), who helps her adapt to the English way of life. She is baptised, educated, and eventually married to Rolfe and gives birth to a son, Thomas. She later learns Captain Smith is still alive and has a violent reaction to the news. Pocahontas is willing to reject Rolfe and retreat her loyalty to Smith, thinking fate spared his life and they are to be reunited. Images provided by BFI