Disneys Pocahontas - History And Entertainment - A Study In Collision - Movie Review Example

Your History 121 17 November 2006 Disney's Pocahontas: History And Entertainment- A Study In Collision Does historical accuracy matter in the making of a movie If yes, How much accuracy is acceptable Should producers stick to the facts all the time When is "historical accuracy" of utmost importance When is it not that big of an issue When "Pocahontas" was released in 1995, viewers or at least majority of them were surprised. Contrary to its trailer, the movie had an adult feel to it. An interracial affair between a Caucasian explorer and an American Indian princess . The movie was quite entertaining in that although it was set in early 17th century, the heroine, Pocahontas herself exhibited traits of independence and psychological strengths. These made Pocahontas attractive to the modern generation of women which might be part of the reason for its success. One more notable thing is the movie's perspectives in terms of its background's design. When Pocahontas took that leap off the cliff, we are taken in awe by the cliff's height. Trees seem to be of gigantic size making a lot of the scenes a feast of, as well as a visual adventure. At some point in the movie, we begin to wonder if such a paradise exists. After some clicks your last name 2 on the net, we realize that although Jamestown does exist, as did the characters and the tribe, the topography was entirely fictional if not a collection of travel brochures. Now the question of whether that matters obviously depends on where the question is coming from. For the producers, in the case of the making of Pocahontas, they cared about two things: making tons of money and garnering awards. Although, "Pocahontas" did not register as well as "Lion King" at the box office, it did win both the Golden Globe and the Oscar for its theme song, "Colors Of The Wind" , it also earned a sizable amount. As it does traditionally, the introduction of cutesy animal characters guaranteed the inclusion of the youngsters' attraction to the this animated film. That these animal characters do not talk at all, made the movie able concentrate on the love-drama between the main characters and the people surrounding them. Plot-wise, Pocahontas was able to nail it. There were minimal loopholes. Story-wise, it was quite tight. We find ourselves smile a little when we see how quite systematic the natives farmed at that time. But then, if someone wants a more realistic film, the recently released, "The New World" starring Colin Farrell would be more befitting. When it comes entertainment, most average "Janes" and "Joes" do not really care about historical accuracy. Except perhaps in cases where the characters are still living or alive, or where the issue is political. In the first place, Disney did not even mention "a true story" or "based on a true story" in any of their posters nor trailers. Your last name 3 Plainly, had the producers stuck to historical accuracy, the whole project would have a totally different treatment- comedy perhaps Who knows That the real "John Smith" was stout, bearded and alleged to be a coward, is not a character suited in a love-drama that sells not only the beauty of this movie's own Jamestown but the physical beauty of its characters as well. This is reality- the reality of marketing and the reality of business. For their part, the filmakers couldn't have gotten critical acclaim for its animation and art direction without all that effort, and it showed! Compared to its predecessors, most animated films appealed the young and the young in us."Pocahontas" strived to be artistically different. The lighting and color were breaths of fresh air. Pocahontas and Mulan are a class on their own. Most of us grew up on the idea that beautiful women are more often than not, fair-skinned. The producers have finally listened to the global village's clamor for characters that look like them. Isn't it about time Listening to John Smith, we instinctively know that he represents the contemporary son of an interracial union- more open-minded and accepting of other cultures. The writers knew that to entertain is to give in to the audience's wish and imagination. Never mind that the real Pocahontas ended up marrying a different man, or another Caucasian somewhere in London. Divorces and and separations We've had more than we can chew around us, the tabloids are always having fun. The average Jane and Joe could be in the middle your last name 4 of a nasty one. Give them a break and let them marvel and forget for an hour and a half. As for the movie's magnificent backdrops, the moviegoers can only be thankful that they didn't base it on the ordinary flatness of the real Jamestown then and now. The tube is bombarded with all sorts of reality- based shows. Movie viewing just like TV viewing, or listening to the radio for that matter, is a personal choice. How one feels at the time is the big question when it comes to choice. If we were seeing a movie about JFK for instance, we might want to check on the veracity of details. Now, that's a totally different issue. Being that the movieworld has a world all its own, and history is all about recorded data, there's little point in sticking to facts, wouldn't you agree As children, how many of us have wondered about why the characters in an animated film or show never seem to have a change of costume/wardrobe If we are able to accept an idiosyncracy such as this, then why bother with a bigger issue () of historical accuracy. Now, History is a favorite subject/ class of many. How many could possibly think of confirming or checking out on actual identities/events/places while or after seeing an animated film at that On the whole, "Pocahontas" reflected early 17th century in terms of the the costumes, the weapons and the ship's design. Now, if someone gives a a violent reaction and says otherwise, we probably wouldn't be surprised at all. As for the effortless flow of communication between John Smith and your last name 5 and Pocahontas, that would have taken precious running movie time and given things a more serious (and not entertaining) atmosphere, wouldn't that The magical swirling leaves and the talking willow tree are some more signs that tell us there is no room for any expectations on historical accuracy. We do know that the Indians then and now have communed with nature. Except for historians, film reviewers and possibly some old residents of Jamestown and descendants of the characters, the rest of those who've seen the movie must have been satisfied in general. Now the critics are as always- just doing their jobs. Interestingly, "Pocahontas" the Disney version hold some records worth mentioning: 1) Disney's first time to show an on-screen of a human pro- tagonist (meaning how and when someone actually died). 2) the biggest movie premiere ever- 100,000 people attended in Central Park, NY. 3) The first Disney animated film to be based on fact, "Mulan" followed after. Your last name 6 Works Cited Slant magazine.com. 2005. 15 November 2006. http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. "Pocahontas". Modified 16 November 2006. 15 November 2006. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas> Rotten tomatoes.com. 3 May 2005. 15 November 2006 < http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1063809-pocahontas/> Read More