The New World (2005)

The story of the English exploration of Virginia, and of the changing world and loves of Pocahontas.

Director:

Terrence Malick

Writer:

Terrence Malick

Stars:

Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Farrell	...	Captain Smith
Q'orianka Kilcher	...	Pocahontas
Christopher Plummer	...	Captain Newport
Christian Bale	...	John Rolfe
August Schellenberg	...	Powhatan
Wes Studi	...	Opechancanough
David Thewlis	...	Wingfield
Yorick van Wageningen	...	Captain Argall
Raoul Max Trujillo	...	Tomocomo (as Raoul Trujillo)
Michael Greyeyes	...	Rupwew
Kalani Queypo	...	Parahunt
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Ben
Noah Taylor	...	Selway
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Lewes
Ben Chaplin	...	Robinson

Storyline

Captain Smith is spared his mutinous hanging sentence after captain Newport's ship arrives in 1607 to found Jamestown, an English colony in Virginia. The initially friendly natives, who have no personal property concept, turn hostile after a 'theft' is 'punished' violently on the spot. During an armed exploration, Smith is captured, but spared when the chief's favorite daughter Pocahontas pleads for the stranger who soon becomes her lover and learns to love their naive 'savage' way of harmonious life. Ultimately he returns to the grim fort, which would starve hadn't she arranged for Indian generosity. Alas, each side soon brands their own lover a traitor, so she is banished and he flogged as introduction to slavish toiling. Changes turn again, leading Smith to accept a northern-more mission and anglicized Pocahontas, believing him dead, becoming the mother of aristocratic new lover John Rolfe's son. They'll meet again for a finale in England.

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Plot Keywords:

native american | captain | love | fort | trade | 

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Taglines:

Once discovered, it was changed forever

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense battle sequences

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Filmexport [France] New Line Cinema [United States]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Algonquin

Release Date:

20 January 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The New World

Filming Locations:

Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$57,000 (USA) (23 December 2005)

Gross:

$12,712,093 (USA) (31 March 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Sunflower Productions, Sarah Green Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min 172 min (extended cut) 150 min (original cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Average Shot Length = ~6.7 seconds. Median Shot Length = ~6.8 seconds.

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Goofs

In the film John Smith is seen wearing tattoos. The film is set in the early 1600s. The practice of tattooing was abandoned in Europe at that time and was not readopted until the late 18th century.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Pocahontas: Come, spirit, help us sing the story of our land. You are our mother. We, your field of corn. We rise from out of the soul of you.

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Connections

Referenced in A Christmas Tale (2008)

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Soundtracks

Spiral Journey
Written and Performed by R. Carlos Nakai
Courtesy of Celestial Harmonies/Mayflower Music Corp

User Reviews

Staggering.

This film was everything I had hoped for and infinite volumes more. Writer/Director Terrence Malik simply refuses to see film-making as anything short of an art form and handles his brushes (not to mention every frame) with the tender care and command of an artistic master.

The warnings are true... if you're looking for standard Hollywood fare, then run away. However, if you were trying hard to remember what film-making is supposed to be about, then this film is an absolute MUST SEE. While it is not forcefully spiritual in its aural narrative, I found this film to be a deeply religious experience in ways that words fail to express.

True to form, Malik affords the world of this film as much character as the humans themselves possess. Long stretches of nothing but ambient, nat sounds. Stunning snapshots of the peripheral influences to each scene (i.e. blowing grass, running streams, towering trees). Even an ending title sequence that lives beyond the narrative... breathing the last breaths of a tale that has managed to regularly transcends words.

Sharp. Detailed. Purposeful. Bold. Brilliant.

I have not been this happy about a film in a very long time. Well worth the money. Well worth the time. You will leave better for having seen it.

I could not recommend it more!