The New World (2005)

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   Plot

Captain John Smith

The film begins with a ship coming from Europe. Below decks Captain John Smith is in shackles and sentenced to be killed for mutiny. Once on land, Captain Newport pardons him. The colonists begin to build the camp and survey the land.

Malick endeavors to give a picturesque view of what America would have looked like upon first arrival. Much of the movie is pure scenery shot at an eye-level angle.

The colonist’s first encounter with Native Americans is peaceful.  A little later the colony begins to run short on food and supplies, prompting Captain Newport to return to England in order to replenish the camp. John Smith leads an expedition and is captured by Powhatan warriors.

Smith is brought before Chief Powhatan. Powhatan sentences Smith to death and before the execution Pocahontas, the chief’s daughter, intercedes. Smith is spared and lives captive among the Powhatans for some time. The tribe eventually assimilates Captain Smith. He spends much of his time with Pocahontas and eventually the two fall in love.

Chief Powhatan allows Smith to return to the colony on the condition the English will leave his land in the spring. Smith, reluctant to leave Pocahontas, returns to find the colony impoverished and lacking any competent authority. He is given command. During the winter the colony numbers diminish from starvation and disease. Pocahontas leads a rescue party into the camp with food and supplies.

When spring comes and the settlers show no signs of leaving Chief Powhatan stages an attack on the camp. The colonists fight off the attack. Powhatan, angry at his daughter’s involvement with the colonists, banishes her from the tribe. She then comes to Jamestown. The colonists decide to keep her as leverage to stave off any further attacks from the Powhatan. Smith opposes this idea, and loses his command over the camp.  Pocahontas and Captain Smith resume their love affair as she begins to assimilate herself to the colony’s way of life.     

Production