Pocahontas (1977)
"Whose idea was it to adapt Pocahontas into a cheery Disney film?" - Vincent Canby of the New York Times
---
In 1962, Walt expressed interest in adapting another tale based off mythology or folklore after "Raya and the Last Dragon". In January 1963, it was revealed that pre-production work had begun on a "Pocahontas" film and story artist Otto Englander had started writting a suitable treatment for said film. Adapting the tale of Pocahontas and John Smith was an extremely risky move. Not only would the Xerox animation and varying story treatments cause the final product to look grittier as Disney's usual output, but the original tale of Pocahontas was an extremely controversial story depicting themes of racism against Native Americans and colonialism. The problems mentioned plus the massive failure of "Raya and the Last Dragon" was enough for Walt to shelve the project for a later date.
During the early 1970s, "Pocahontas" re-entered development as a potential testing ground for new upstarting animators like Don Bluth. The new treatment was a lot less grittier than Englander's original treatment, yet was still a dark film for Disney. For one, Pocahontas was aged up to 18 rather than her original pre-teen age. This new draft was a lot more ambitious, delving into topics such as colonialism and heavy political tones. This version of "Pocahontas" focused more on Ratcliffe and his ambitions to rid Native Americans from the New World while Chief Powhatan wants to rid the colonists of his land, with Pocahontas herself being relugated to a side character. This version was torn apart by storymen and executive Card Walker, there was still a lot to be worked on for "Pocahontas".
By the mid-1970s, several drafts for "Pocahontas" had been written. An animal sidekick in the form of a raccoon named Meeko was added as Pocahontas' potential sidekick, and the new plot focused more on the romance between Pocahontas and John Smith. For voice acting, Jimmy MacDonald came out from retirement to help out, he mainly did the voices of the animal characters as well as other sound effects. Sammy Fain wrote songs and music for "Pocahontas", most ntoably "Tomorrow is Another Day". For the first time since "Atlantis: The Lost Empire", none of the songs were sung by the actual characters, rather they were sung by an unseen choir or singer By late 1976, the film was completed and set for a release next year, it would be one of the most divisive animated films to date.
Set in the 17th Century, a group of English colonists led by Governor Ratcliffe reach America to dig for gold and colonise the new settlement. Meanwhile in the Werowocomoco tribe, Chief Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas is set to wed to Kocoum, who Pocahontas refuses to marry. The two parties soon intertwine with each other when Captain John Smith goes hunting for gold and instead encounters Pocahontas. John Smith is soon captured by Powhatan and set to be executed, it is only due to Pocahontas throwing herself in front of Smith when Powhatan backs down. From there, the romantic relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith develops despite refusal and disapprovement from both the Englishmen and Native Americans. Things get worse when Kocoum is killed by Ratcliffe who intends to commit genocide on the Native Americans and take all the land for himself. Now Pocahontas and John Smith must protect their tribe, convince the Englishmen to turn against Ratcliffe and stop Ratcliffe's plans before it is too late.
"Pocahontas" premiered on March 11st 1977, three months before its nationwide release. Due to attempted genocide being a plot point, the film would become the first Disney film to receive a PG rating. The film, while a financial success that dwarfened its initial $7.5 million budget, was a critical disaster that was even worse than that of "Raya and the Last Dragon". The film's message about racism and colonialism was panned by critics and casual moviegoers, many claimed that they were executed horribly. Colonial historians also tore the film apart, criticising the film's depiction of Egnlish colonists and Ratcliffe's role in the film compared to what actually happened. Nowadays, "Pocahontas" is one of, if not the most divisive film in the WDAC. Some claim "Pocahontas" to be an underrated masterpiece and a progressive film which delves into heavy topics, others absolutely hate it and claim "Pocahontas" to be the most racist and offensive Disney film.
Release Date: March 11th 1977 (premiere), June 22nd 1977 (nationwide release)
Cast:
Sandy Duncan (Pocahontas)
Kurt Russell (Captain John Smith)
Bob Newhart (Kocoum)
Jim Jordan (Chief Powhatan)
Jack Albertson (Governor Ratcliffe)
Notable Songs:
Tomorrow is Another Day (sung during a montage of Pocahontas and John Smith's relationship)
Notes: TTL's treatment of Pocahontas is more akin to OTL's version with a lot more dark elements and tones, which was the reason why TTL's Pocahontas has a PG rating. Here, Pocahontas will be the outright most hated Disney film for some time, dethroning Raya. Maybe it'll have some competition when we get to 1985, we'll see.
---
In 1962, Walt expressed interest in adapting another tale based off mythology or folklore after "Raya and the Last Dragon". In January 1963, it was revealed that pre-production work had begun on a "Pocahontas" film and story artist Otto Englander had started writting a suitable treatment for said film. Adapting the tale of Pocahontas and John Smith was an extremely risky move. Not only would the Xerox animation and varying story treatments cause the final product to look grittier as Disney's usual output, but the original tale of Pocahontas was an extremely controversial story depicting themes of racism against Native Americans and colonialism. The problems mentioned plus the massive failure of "Raya and the Last Dragon" was enough for Walt to shelve the project for a later date.
During the early 1970s, "Pocahontas" re-entered development as a potential testing ground for new upstarting animators like Don Bluth. The new treatment was a lot less grittier than Englander's original treatment, yet was still a dark film for Disney. For one, Pocahontas was aged up to 18 rather than her original pre-teen age. This new draft was a lot more ambitious, delving into topics such as colonialism and heavy political tones. This version of "Pocahontas" focused more on Ratcliffe and his ambitions to rid Native Americans from the New World while Chief Powhatan wants to rid the colonists of his land, with Pocahontas herself being relugated to a side character. This version was torn apart by storymen and executive Card Walker, there was still a lot to be worked on for "Pocahontas".
By the mid-1970s, several drafts for "Pocahontas" had been written. An animal sidekick in the form of a raccoon named Meeko was added as Pocahontas' potential sidekick, and the new plot focused more on the romance between Pocahontas and John Smith. For voice acting, Jimmy MacDonald came out from retirement to help out, he mainly did the voices of the animal characters as well as other sound effects. Sammy Fain wrote songs and music for "Pocahontas", most ntoably "Tomorrow is Another Day". For the first time since "Atlantis: The Lost Empire", none of the songs were sung by the actual characters, rather they were sung by an unseen choir or singer By late 1976, the film was completed and set for a release next year, it would be one of the most divisive animated films to date.
Set in the 17th Century, a group of English colonists led by Governor Ratcliffe reach America to dig for gold and colonise the new settlement. Meanwhile in the Werowocomoco tribe, Chief Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas is set to wed to Kocoum, who Pocahontas refuses to marry. The two parties soon intertwine with each other when Captain John Smith goes hunting for gold and instead encounters Pocahontas. John Smith is soon captured by Powhatan and set to be executed, it is only due to Pocahontas throwing herself in front of Smith when Powhatan backs down. From there, the romantic relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith develops despite refusal and disapprovement from both the Englishmen and Native Americans. Things get worse when Kocoum is killed by Ratcliffe who intends to commit genocide on the Native Americans and take all the land for himself. Now Pocahontas and John Smith must protect their tribe, convince the Englishmen to turn against Ratcliffe and stop Ratcliffe's plans before it is too late.
"Pocahontas" premiered on March 11st 1977, three months before its nationwide release. Due to attempted genocide being a plot point, the film would become the first Disney film to receive a PG rating. The film, while a financial success that dwarfened its initial $7.5 million budget, was a critical disaster that was even worse than that of "Raya and the Last Dragon". The film's message about racism and colonialism was panned by critics and casual moviegoers, many claimed that they were executed horribly. Colonial historians also tore the film apart, criticising the film's depiction of Egnlish colonists and Ratcliffe's role in the film compared to what actually happened. Nowadays, "Pocahontas" is one of, if not the most divisive film in the WDAC. Some claim "Pocahontas" to be an underrated masterpiece and a progressive film which delves into heavy topics, others absolutely hate it and claim "Pocahontas" to be the most racist and offensive Disney film.
Release Date: March 11th 1977 (premiere), June 22nd 1977 (nationwide release)
Cast:
Sandy Duncan (Pocahontas)
Kurt Russell (Captain John Smith)
Bob Newhart (Kocoum)
Jim Jordan (Chief Powhatan)
Jack Albertson (Governor Ratcliffe)
Notable Songs:
Tomorrow is Another Day (sung during a montage of Pocahontas and John Smith's relationship)
Notes: TTL's treatment of Pocahontas is more akin to OTL's version with a lot more dark elements and tones, which was the reason why TTL's Pocahontas has a PG rating. Here, Pocahontas will be the outright most hated Disney film for some time, dethroning Raya. Maybe it'll have some competition when we get to 1985, we'll see.
Last edited:
