Independent Films, Film Profiles

The New World
by Terrence_Malick

The New World is a 2005 drama/romance film directed by Terrence Malick. It is a historical adventure set during the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement and inspired by the historical figures Captain John Smith and Pocahontas.The New World is Malick's fourth feature film, and was written by him. The cast includes Colin Farrell, Q'Orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, August Schellenberg, Wes Studi, David Thewlis and Yorick van Wageningen. The production team includes director of photography Emmanuel Lubezki, production designer Jack Fisk, costume designer Jacqueline West and film editor Richard Chew. The film had an estimated budget of $30 million and was produced by Sarah Green.The film begins with a young Native American woman offering a prayer to the Earth Mother. While never referred to by name, she is understood to be Pocahontas. The woman and others from her tribe witness the arrival of three ships. It is Virginia, the year 1607, and the ships are part of the Jamestown Expedition, sent by English royal charter to found a colony in the “New World.” Aboard one of the ships we see a man, later identified as Captain John Smith, below decks, in chains. While initially sentenced to death by hanging for his mutinous remarks, once ashore, Smith is pardoned by Captain Christopher Newport, the leader of the expedition.While the prospects for the settlement are initially bright, disease, poor discipline, supply shortages, and tensions with the local Native Americans (who Newport calls "the naturals") place the expedition in jeopardy. Smith is given the opportunity to restore his reputation by taking a small group of men up river to seek trade while Newport returns to England for supplies. While on this mission, Smith is captured by a group of Native Americans and brought before their chief. After being questioned, the captain is nearly executed but is spared when one of the chief’s daughters (the same young woman from the beginning of the film) throws herself across his body, saving his life.Living among the Native Americans as a prisoner for an extended period, Smith is treated well, earning the friendship and respect of the tribe. Coming to admire this new way of life, he falls deeply in love with Pocahontas, who is greatly intrigued by the Englishman and his ways. Slowly Smith begins to question the validity of his earlier life. The chief, however, eventually returns Smith to Jamestown with the understanding that the English are to leave the following spring once their boats have returned.Upon his return Smith encounters a settlement in turmoil. Pressed into accepting the governorship he finds the peace and happiness he had experienced in the wilderness replaced by privation, death, and the difficult responsibilities that come with his new position. Smith wishes to return to his love but dismisses such action, labeling his time among the Native Americans as “a dream” that he has now awoken from. As their numbers dwindle throughout the brutal winter the settlers are only saved when Pocahontas and a rescue party arrives with food, clothing, and supplies.As spring arrives it becomes clear to Chief Powhatan that the English did not intend to leave. Discovering his daughter’s actions, he orders an attack on Jamestown and exiles Pocahontas. Repulsing the attack, the settlers learn of Pocahontas’ banishment and organize a trade so that the young woman can be taken captive and used as leverage to avoid further assaults. Smith strongly opposes the plan and as a result is removed as Governor and despoiled by the new leadership.With Pocahontas now living in Jamestown she and Smith renew their love affair. However, with the return of Captain Newport, complications arise. Newport informs Smith that the king has offered him the opportunity to lead a new expedition of his own which will seek an elusive new passage to the West Indies. Torn between his love and the promise of his career, the captain eventually makes the difficult decision to return to England. Before he departs, however, he leaves instructions with a trusted settler who later informs Pocahontas that Smith has died in the crossing.Devastated, Pocahontas sinks into a deep depression. Continuing to live in Jamestown, she is eventually comforted by a new settler, John Rolfe, who helps her better adapt to the English way of life. She is subsequently baptized, receives education, and eventually marries Rolfe and gives birth to a son. While she is happy with her new life she soon learns that Captain Smith is still alive. Realizing that she is still in love with him, her relationship with her husband is complicated.Ultimately, Rolfe and his family are given an opportunity to travel to England. Arriving in London and sharing an audience with the king and queen, Pocahontas is overwhelmed by the wonders of this “New World.” While there a private meeting is arranged between Pocahontas and Smith. Rolfe supports the meeting believing that his wife still loves Smith and that she will not be at peace until she sees him again.The reunion is uncomfortable at times as the love the two shared years before reminds them of the happiness they once felt while the state of their present lives exposes how much they each have changed. Smith admits that he may have made a mistake in choosing his career over his love for Pocahontas, stating that what they experienced in the wilderness was not a dream but instead “the only truth.” The two depart, never to meet again.Embracing her husband, Pocahontas and Rolfe make arrangements to return to Virginia. However, on the outward passage, she falls ill and suddenly dies. The film ends with images of Pocahontas and her young son playing in the gardens of their English estate as Rolfe, in a voiceover, reads a letter, addressed to their son about his deceased mother. In the film's closing moments, Pocahontas says "Mother, now I know where you live", having found peace through her strength to grow past her wounds, the film ends with images of nature.Malick's film selectively blends recorded history with popular lore. It broadly follows the known life of Pocahontas, from her youth in the Powhatan village, to a period spent with the English settlers in Jamestown, her marriage to John Rolfe, her journey to London and early death; however, Malick diverges from available evidence in favor of the literary tradition that Pocahontas fell in love with John Smith. However, the film depicts Smith leaving Jamestown on orders from the king. Smith then has the settlers tell Pocahontas that he drowned. Smith actually left Jamestown because of an injury when his powder horn exploded and almost blew off his leg. Pocahontas was told he died on the trip to England. Pocahontas is shown being kidnapped by the settlers when Smith is still in Jamestown. In reality, Smith had to leave from a gunpowder injury in 1609. Pocahontas was kidnapped in 1613. Wingfield is also shown being shot by the settlers, but in reality he lived until 1630 and even wrote several books on Jamestown.