| Pocahontas: The Legend | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Danièle J. Suissa |
| Written by | Donald Martin Danièle J. Suissa |
| Produced by | Steve Levitan Danièle J. Suissa |
| Starring | Sandrine Holt Miles O'Keeffe Tony Goldwyn |
| Cinematography | Richard Leiterman |
| Edited by | Brett Sullivan |
| Music by | Jack Lenz |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Pocahontas: The Legend is a 1995 Canadian drama film that fictionalizes the young life of the historical figure of Chief Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas and her relationship with Captain John Smith. This film, preceding Disney's animation version,[1] was directed by Danièle J. Suissa[2] and stars Sandrine Holt as the titular heroine. It was entirely shot around Toronto and Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, Canada.
This is the third live-action feature film based on the life of Pocahontas and John Smith, the others being Pocahontas and John Smith (1924) and Captain John Smith and Pocahontas (1953). John Rolfe, the second husband of Pocahontas, does not appear in this motion picture.
Two actors in this film have been involved in other Pocahontas-related projects. Gordon Tootoosis previously voiced Kekata the shaman in Disney's 1995 animated film. Billy Merasty, who acted as Kocoum, would ten years later portray a Kiskiack in The New World.
Plot
Cast
- Sandrine Holt as Pocahontas (Matoaka)
- Miles O'Keeffe as Captain John Smith
- Tony Goldwyn as Sir Edwin Wingfield
- Gordon Tootoosis as Chief Powhatan (Wahunsonacock)
- Billy Merasty as Kocoum
- George Buza as Jules
- Mark J. Richardson as Jeremy
- David Hemblen as Christopher Newport
- Billy Two Rivers as Mochiqus
- Bucky Hill as Japazaws
- Kennetch Charlette as Opachisco
- Michael Stevens as Newport's Guard
Reception
TVGuide found that "This is a classic noble-savage love story, complete with stilted dialogue, easy- reading plot lines, and native American drum thumping. Finally, there are moments, notably a revealing love scene, that seem more mature than this built-for-kids film warrants. "[3]
According to Indigenous Screen Cultures in Canada, the film "falsifies history, reproduces the discredited myth of the romance between Pocahontas and John Smith, introduces viewers to the “court” of Powhatan, “princess” Pocahontas, and “prince” Kocoum"".[4]
References
- ↑ Mee, Laura; Walker, Johnny (2014-10-16). Cinema, Television and History: New Approaches. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4438-6887-7.
- ↑ Hilger, Michael (2015-10-16). Native Americans in the Movies: Portrayals from Silent Films to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-4002-5.
- ↑ "Pocahontas: The Legend". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ↑ Hafsteinsson, Sigurjón Baldur; Bredin, Marian (2010). Indigenous Screen Cultures in Canada. Univ. of Manitoba Press. ISBN 978-0-88755-718-7.
External links