The New World: A refreshing take on a famous story

The New World. Could it be the New World for Captain John Smith as he came to America for the first time to establish a new colony for England? Or could a New World also be for the beautiful Indian Princess when she travels to England for the first time? It was a new world for both. It was the birth of America.


Directed by the gifted, Terrence Malick, the director best known for shunning Hollywood and only directing one movie every 10+ or - years or so. Some of his other films include: "The Thin, Red Line" (1998), "Days of Heaven" (1978), and "Badlands" (1973).


Normally I am somewhat lukewarm about actor, Colin Farrell. There is something about that bad boy image of his that I don't find too appealing. It's almost like he tries too hard to be bad. Maybe that's just my impression. I definitely did not care for him in the movie "Alexander." Anyway, my son told me that he really, really liked a Colin Farrell movie from 2005 called "The New World". I said, "let's watch the DVD", knowing absolutely nothing about it. We all sat down to watch it last weekend. I truly had no idea whatsoever what it was going to be about, but since my son said he liked it so much, I had to see it. (He doesn't often say that!) The first few scenes were good and piqued my interest. I generally enjoy period or historical films. This one looked promising because the first scene showed three old world sailing vessels, floating silently down a serene river.


The year is 1607. The British explorers have landed in Virginia. They intend to establish a settlement and to call their colony Jamestown after King James of England. The British explorers are led by Captain Christopher Newport (the excellent actor, Christopher Plummer). They encounter the "naturals," also known as the Native Americans. The two sides are not instantly fond of each other by any means, nor are they instantly at odds. The two are curious about one another, but friction soon develops. Captain John Smith is captured and stays with the tribe for several months. The details of his time living with the Indians actually comes from Smith's own journals.


The young actress playing the favorite of the Chief's 100 children (the Indian Princess) is lovely Q'Orianka Kilcher, a newcomer. I thought she did an excellent job in her performance. Her face and her expressions conveyed so much throughout the movie. She is an innocent young woman, who becomes infatuated and falls in love with this stranger (Captain John Smith) to her world. The casting crew searched for eight months to find just the right actress for the part they had in mind. Ms. Kilcher (a distant cousin, by the way, of singer Jewel Kilcher) was trained in the hand movements, gestures and body language. She was also taught words of the Algonquin language.


Colin Farrell, as Captain John Smith, is enchanted with this young native girl as she is with him. He is enchanted with their entire culture and when he is captured, embraces their lifestyle. He does a voice-over and tells us -- as if he is writing in a diary, that these natural people have no lies, no greed, they are completely trusting, pure and simple.


It was not until 2/3 of the way through the movie that I realized what this story was all about and who these people were. Dense. I just thought it was a very nice story. I had no idea it was based on actual history and Captain John Smith. Pocahontas' name is not actually used, which added to my early confusion. ("Huachipeari" = Pocahontas)


The Indian Princess speaks to her Mother Earth in voice-overs throughout the film, for example, "Mother, I know where you live." She seeks guidance and understanding from Mother Earth. "Come spirits, help us sing the song of our land."


What a contrast when Captain Smith is set free back at his British camp. Even the young English boys there lie and complain. They snivel and fight and are generally disagreeable. The entire settlement looks dirty and gray as do the people. This is in stark contrast to the beautiful green forest with blue skies of the time Smith has spent amongst the Indian tribe.


I loved the stunning shots of the tall trees, the crystal clear streams and blowing grass. Combined with the music score, these seemingly peripheral influences to each scene became central because they show how basic because the Native Americans are one with nature and animals. The commentary, sans Director Terrence Malick, was interesting because of the description of how the Native Americans were chosen. Men who "looked the part" were cast from all over the country. They became the tribe. Most were very slim with long hair, angular features and some native American blood. They were trained in how to move a certain way, how to do battle also in a certain way and how to yell. One of the men spoke of how they (the actors) had to shave one side of their hair. The reason for this is because, in keeping with the tradition, it was done when using bows and arrows for better precision. The atmosphere in this film was everything. This movie was filmed in all natural lighting using 65 mm, a higher quality film. The makers of the film, the entire team under the direction of Terrence Malick, tried to keep as much as possible with the way things were made in 1607. The huts and fences that were constructed were all made as they had been made in that time, using local trees for fencing, mud to cover huts, paints for the skin and so on. The "war paint" of the Native Americans is quite different than anything I have seen in other movies before also. Much of it is black and white and is painted all over faces or scalps and arms. The movie makers showed painstaking attention to detail at their recreations, even down to the "extras" making pottery.

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When we see the changes in the young girl's life, her mood is reflected in her actions. She is sad and her sadness envelops her entire being. When she is happy, her happiness also shines through in her face and her movements. She is valued as one of the most beautiful Indian princesses and shamed by her father. She goes to live with the colonists where she is taught to wear the dresses and shoes of the English woman. I have to admit it did look very odd to see this free spirited young woman, wearing a tightly fitting bodice and healed leather shoes where she had once been barefoot. She wore the clothes and shoes awkwardly at first, but as time went by, grew more used to them.


Soon, a young nobleman observes the beautiful princess. He notices her sadness and begins to follow her and talk with her. The Indian Princess grows up and eventually marries Nobleman John Rolfe (played by Christian Bale with excellence).


When Pocahontas is invited to go to England, she sails there with her husband and young son. She is full of wonder at this strange new land. She is a true princess when she meets King James I (played by the under-used Jonathan Pryce), and Queen Anne, (Terrence Malick's real life girlfriend, Alexanda W.B. Malick).

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Apparently, there are a couple of glitches in the film. One is of some modern equipment during a scene in which the huts burn. Another is, while at Hampton Court, a car is supposedly visible in the scene. I watched it twice but didn't see it.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you're looking for an action-packed film, full of special effects, skip this movie. However, if you want something that is historical, biographical and beautiful, you should enjoy "The New World" as much as we did.


Length: 135 minutes

Rated PG-13 for some battle scenes. This movie was filmed both in Virginia and England.



~thanks for reading~


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