Pocahontas Information

The Story

Meanwhile, in Virginia, a beautiful young Native American girl named Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, ponders her path in life and dreams what lies "just around the river bend". Should she marry Kocoum, the stern warrior her father has selected for her, or does destiny have something else planned for her? Searching for answers, Pocahontas visits the Enchanted Forest where Grandmother Willow, a 400-year-old mystical spirit residing in an ancient tree, provides advice and comfort. She also receives support from her two forest friends--a mischievous raccoon named Meeko and a feisty hummingbird named Flit.

Upon their arrival, the British settlers follow Ratcliffe's orders to dig for gold, creating havoc and devastation in their wake. Charged with protecting the colony, John Smith scouts the area and meets Pocahontas. Despite their initial apprehensions and conflicts, they are attracted to one another and she introduces him to a world unlike any he has ever known before. Pocahontas teaches him that every rock, tree and creature has a living spirit and explains how to "paint with all the colors of the wind".

Contrary to the friendship between Smith and Pocahontas, relations between the British and the Native Americans have reached a crisis point with fear and hatred mounting daily. When Smith is captured by Powhatan and set to be executed, Pocahontas bravely places her own life on the line by declaring that he must kill her first. Smith reciprocates the sacrifice by saving Powhatan's life from a British bullet, but is wounded in the process. In a powerful and moving finale, he and Pocahontas must part, knowing that their spirits will be joined forever on a path that never ends.

The Facts

• Pocahontas is Disney's 33rd full-length animated feature and the studio's first to be inspired by a real-life figure. Combining historical fact with popular folklore and legend, the filmmakers have constructed a compelling and romanticized tale of the famous Native American heroine and her exciting encounters with famed British soldier, Captain John Smith. With its emphasis on realistic human characters and the story's deeply moving dramatic tone, the film presented a unique set of challenges for the animation team and marked a significant departure from the studio's recent efforts.
• The film is directed by Mike Gabriel, a veteran Disney animator who made his directing debut on the 1990 feature The Rescuers Down Under, and Eric Goldberg, a multitalented animator/director who previously operated his own commercial studio in London and joined Disney in 1990 to create and supervise the animation of the Genie in Aladdin. Making his feature debut as producer of the film is James Pentecost, an accomplished stage manager, director and producer with numerous credits on major Broadway productions.
• The look and style of the film was inspired by the filmmaker's numerous visits to Jamestown, Virginia as well as by extensive research into the Colonial period. These historical elements were stylized under the guidance of art director Michael Giaimo, working in collaboration with the directors and the film's other artistic supervisors. The tall, vertical shapes of the Virginian pine forests set against the vast horizontal landscapes provided a critical design element which was incorporated into the layout aspect of the film in its use of strong vertical and horizontal imagery.
• At various stages of the production, the creative team consulted with Native American historians and storytellers to incorporate authentic aspects of the Powhatan culture into the film.
• The release of Pocahontas follows the unprecedented success of Disney's 1994 animated offering, The Lion King, which has already become one of Hollywood's most popular films. The Lion King shattered all previous boxoffice records for the studio and for an animated film and now ranks among the top four films of all time.

The Music

Menken has received six Academy Awards for his contributions to The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin and (with his late partner, lyricist Howard Ashman) is credited with bringing new excitement to the film musical. Menken and Schwartz are following up this assignment by collaborating on Disney's next animated feature -- The Hunchback of Notre Dame -- which is currently in production for a 1996 release.

The seven songs featured in the film run the gamut from the buoyant Just Around the River Bend, in which Pocahontas expresses her dreams for the future, to the captivating ballad, Colors of the Wind, which stands out as one of the high points of the film as the beautiful heroine offers her new acquaintance, John Smith, a musical lesson on the Native American philosophy towards life. Other musical moments in the film include: The Virginia Company, Steady as a Beating Drum, Listen with your Heart, Mine, Mine, Mine and Savages.

The Cast of Characters

• Pocahontas -- Native American actress Irene Bedard, who recently made her film debut in Lakota Woman (on TNT) and also appears in Walt Disney Pictures' family adventure film, Squanto, A Warrior's Tale, provides the spirit, emotion and vitality for the title character through her lively vocal performance. Pocahontas' singing voice is provided by Judy Kuhn (who most recently starred as Betty opposite Glenn Close in the Los Angeles production of Sunset Boulevard). Overseeing the character of Pocahontas is supervising animator Glen Keane, who is widely regarded as one of the top talents working in the field today. His previous work at the studio includes supervision of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, the magnificent Golden Eagle, Marahute, in The Rescuers Down Under, the complex charismatic Beast in Beauty in the Beast and the title character in the film Aladdin.
• Captain John Smith -- The vibrant, virile voice behind this fearless soldier belongs to actor Mel Gibson, who brings great energy and empathy to the role. Returning to the studio to supervise the animation is John Pomeroy, a major talent in the world of animation, who brings great believability and strength to this fascinating character.
• John Ratcliffe -- David Ogden Stiers, who delighted audiences with his vocal "timing" as Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast and doubled as narrator for that film, demonstrates his vocal versatility yet again in this film as the voice of the greedy Governor. Veteran Disney animator, Duncan Marjoribanks (who supervised Sebastian the Crab, Abu the Monkey and the Rescuers' nemesis, McLeach) heads up the team of artists responsible for this character's deliciously nasty performance.
• Chief Powhatan -- Actor Russell Means, a major figure in contemporary Native American affairs and a distinguished performer in his own right, lends dignity and power to the vocalization of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas' father and a mighty leader torn between two cultures. Supervising animator Ruben Aquino (a talented Disney veteran who helped to create Ursula for The Little Mermaid and the performance of Adult Simba in The Lion King) is responsible for overseeing this dynamic personality.
• Meeko -- This masked mischief-maker is Pocahontas' pal who serves as her constant companion through thick and thin. Overseeing the animated antics of this raccoon rascal is supervising animator Nik Ranieri, who previously put the shine in Lumiere's performance in Beauty and the Beast.
• Flit -- Undaunted by his diminutive size, this busy bird serves as Pocahontas' protector and is ready, willing and able to defend his friend. Communicating with buzzes and hums, this happy hummingbird is always there to lend a wing. Supervising animator Dave Pruiksma, who oversaw the performances of Mrs. Potts (Beauty and the Beast) and the Sultan (Aladdin), is the actor-with-a-pencil behind this delightful character.
• Percy -- Ratcliffe's pampered pet pooch is full of distemper towards his New World surroundings but ends up learning a few new tricks about getting along with others by the film's finale. Supervising animator Chris Buck and his team were responsible for putting the snap into this comical canine.
• Grandmother Willow -- This 400-year-old mystical spirit, residing in an ancient, gnarled willow tree located in the Enchanted Glade, provides Pocahontas with comfort and guidance. Academy Award-winning actress Linda Hunt (The Year of Living Dangerously) adds a feisty-but-funny "bark" to this wonderful character, who offers visions of peace and understanding rooted deep in wisdom. Chris Buck does double duty as supervising animator on this character as well.
• Thomas -- Captain Smith's devoted friend is a young working class English soldier who is "unsettled" by the behavior of Ratcliffe and his fellow settlers but caught between opposing worlds. Actor Christian Bale gives this character strength and sincerity as he struggles to look at things differently while Ken Duncan provides the appropriate actions and personality.
• Ben and Lon -- The familiar voices behind two of the Jamestown settlers belong to multitalented Scottish comedian/comic actor Billy Connolly (Ben) and popular English actor/comedian Joe Baker (Lon).