Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

Pocahontas sets of on a journey to England with Meeko, Flit, and Percy. Hearing rumors of John Smith’s death…

• Director: Tom Ellery
• Genre:Adventure / Animation / Family
• Runtime:89 minutes

Cast

Irene Bedard : Pocahontas (voice)
Jim Cummings : King James (voice)
Donal Gibson : John Smith (voice)
Finola Hughes : Additional voices (voice)
Linda Hunt : Grandmother Willow (voice)

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, 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 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 and the laughing aristocrats 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. Read more

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