Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World is a 1998 straight-to-video sequel to the 1995 Disney film Pocahontas. The film is inspired by true events in the life of Pocahontas which took place several years after her encounter with John Smith and the founders of Jamestown. While the original film dealt with her romance with John Smith, this film deals with her romance with the Englishman she married in real life, John Rolfe.
All the returning characters from the first film retain their original voice actors with the exception of Captain John Smith who is voiced by Donal Gibson, the younger brother of Mel Gibson who voiced him in the first film.
Plot
Set years after the first film (circa 1610-1614), John Smith (voiced in the sequel by Donal Gibson) has been presumed dead in a plot by [[Governor Ratcliffe (Disney)|Governor Ratcliffe]], the villain from the original film, to declare war against the Powhatan Nation. In order to prevent this, a young diplomat, John Rolfe, is sent to bring Chief Powhatan to King James for negotiations. In the New World, Pocahontas mourns John Smith's death but is eventually able to move on. John Rolfe soon arrives, greeted by English civilians (who by now have settled in Jamestown) and a curious Pocahontas . After an incident with a biased sailor, Pocahontas meets Rolfe, but is disgusted by his need to take charge; Rolfe in turn does not like Pocahontas's independent spirit.
Rolfe later overhears two women talking about Pocahontas preventing a war, and assumes that "Pocahontas" is the name of the Chief of the Powhatans. That night, at a dance, Rolfe intrudes with a gift of a horse for "The Mighty Pocahontas." When Pocahontas steps forward, Rolfe finds himself in an awkward situation: the stubborn Chief will not go to England, but unless an envoy is sent, war will break out. Pocahontas volunteers, despite doubt and concern from others. Later that night, Grandmother Willow, who tells her to "listen to the spirit within." The next day, Pocahontas sets off for England with Meeko, Flit, and Percy stowing away on the ship, and a bodyguard sent by the Chief (known as Uttamatomakkin). While on the ship, Pocahontas is nearly arrested by the captain as a stowaway, but Rolfe saves her. Then Rolfe and Pocahontas come to a truce, and perhaps this is where the first sparks of romance appear.
Upon arriving in England, Pocahontas marvels at this "new world." But Ratcliffe is only to happy to learn that she is there, a "lowly woman" instead of a chief, and hands Rolfe a proclamation signed by King James that says an Armada will sail if he is not pleased with the Powhatan ambassador. Rolfe and Pocahontas set out for his estate outside of London, where Mrs. Jenkins (a housekeeper, or perhaps a relative) happily greets them and puts on tea, her trademark solution to a problem. Rolfe meets with the King, who invites Pocahontas and Rolfe to The Hunt Ball. If Pocahontas can impress the King by appearing "civilized", the armada will not set sail.
Rolfe is doubtful of the plan, but Pocahontas is determined to impress King James. Pocahontas dons a hoop skirt, high heels and a yellow ball dress, and is powdered to look white. Rolfe gives her lessons in dance and local etiquette, as well as a necklace (which she puts on in place of her mother's, abandoning herself to be moulded into somebody she's not). She delights the King with some flattery and pleases the Queen (who had always seemed to be an open-minded person). But during a bear-baiting (arranged by Ratcliffe), Pocahontas cannot stand by and watch the torture, and accuses the King of behaving like a savage. James accuses Pocahontas of the same thing for defending the bear, and angrily orders Pocahontas and Uttamatomakkin's arrest. Rolfe, his hopes of peace having failed, meets a hooded stranger who aids him in breaking Pocahontas out of jail. At a cabin in the woods the hooded man is revealed to be John Smith, who still has feelings for Pocahontas, and wants her to stay hidden, instead of trying to stop the armada. Rolfe wants Pocahontas to listen to her heart. Smith realizes Rolfe also admires her.
Pocahontas remembers her (now married) friend Nakoma's words. Willing to risk her life for her people, she washes the powder from her face, goes before the king and convinces the Queen of the truth. And when John Smith appears, the King, a personal friend of Ratcliffe, realizes that Ratcliffe lied about Smith's death and there being gold in Virginia. Pocahontas, Uttamatomakkin, Smith, and Rolfe then set out to stop the Armada. After the good guys knock most of the sailors overboard and cause the ships to crash together, Smith bests Ratcliffe in a final swordfight. Ratcliffe pulls out a pistol, but Rolfe and Pocahontas stop him. Ratcliffe is met on shore by King James, who has the governor arrested and dragged away despite his pleas.
Pocahontas tells Rolfe that she plans to leave for home (Uttamatomakkin ends up staying), and the two hint at admitting they love each other. Smith interrupts, telling Pocahontas he wants to travel the world with her by his side on his newly-awarded ship. Rolfe leaves, dismayed. Pocahontas gently tells Smith that their time together is over and they must part ways. Smith wishes her well, kisses her hand one last time, and leaves. Sadly, Rolfe has vanished. As her ship leaves port, Rolfe reveals he is on board, and Pocahontas runs to his arms. Pocahontas reminds him about his duty to the King, but Rolfe says states that he has a duty to honor what is in his heart. They kiss as the ship sails into the sunset.
Soundtrack
- Where Do I Go From Here? - Sung by Pocahontas (Judy Kuhn)
- What a Day in London - Sung by Pocahontas (Judy Kuhn)
- Between Two Worlds - Sung by Pocahontas and John Rolfe (Judy Kuhn and Billy Zane)
Cast
Returning Characters
New Characters
Singing voices
Comparisons to real life events
Pocahontas did travel to England in 1616, although at the time of her journey she had already been baptized and taken the Christian name Rebecca. Furthermore, she was already married to John Rolfe at the time, as well as the mother of his son, Thomas. She traveled to England accompanied by Rolfe, her son, Uttamatomakin, and a retinue of Native American women. While in the film she appears to have stayed in England for about a week or two, she actually remained in England until her death in March 1617. John Rolfe was certainly in love with her, as expressed in letters he wrote, but it is unknown whether Pocahontas loved him in return, or if she simply saw their marriage as a political alliance. The return voyage was halted before the ship made it to open sea as Pocahontas was too ill for them to continue; she died soon after and was buried at Gravesend, Kent on the Thames. Her son, Thomas, was also very sick but managed to survive and remained in London while his father continued on to Virginia. Unfortunately, Rolfe died before he saw his son again.
In real life, Ratcliffe died in 1609, three years before Pocahontas came to England. She did encounter John Smith during her stay, but was angry with him for betraying the kin relationship that her father had established with him.
During the "What A Day In London" sequence, a character appears who is evidently intended to be William Shakespeare. Pocahontas arrived in London on 12 June 1616 and Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, so he would not have been very active at the time of her arrival. In the film, Shakespeare is depicted getting the idea for the line "to be, or not to be," but the play Hamlet had already been written by the time Pocahontas came to England.
See also
External links
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Disney's Pocahontas |
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Pocahontas · Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
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