The New World
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

A wonderful retelling of the Pocahontas story, The New World is the latest film by legendary director Terrence Malick ( Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line). Bringing together a distinguished cast including Colin Farrell, Christian Bale and Christopher Plummer, The New World will keep fans of the genre and of Malick’s particular brand of filmmaking gripped right until the very end.

In the 17th Century, America is as it had been for much of the last five thousand years – a largely untouched wilderness populated by animals and tribes of Native American peoples. In 1607, three ships from England arrive in this strange New World with the intention of setting up a colony and a foothold in the Americas.

On board one of the ships is Captain John Smith ( Colin Farrell), a rebellious soldier who has been sentenced to death for insubordination during the long voyage to the New World. Sensing that Smith may prove useful to the colony once ashore, the leader of the exhibition Captain Christopher Newport ( Christopher Plummer), grants the rogue Captain a reprieve and a chance to redeem himself.

Although their intentions were largely honourable when they landed in the Virginia’s, it is not long before a misunderstanding starts a conflict between the English and the native peoples living there. The colony is soon struggling, and before leaving to get supplies from England, Newport gives Smith the job of going to negotiate a peace with the Natives.

“You have a chance to redeem your character, I expect you to take it”

Things initially don’t go well when Smith tries to find the main tribal city and he is taken to the King of the tribe for judgement over trespassing on the tribe’s lands and to answer for the crimes of the English settlers. Just as Smith is about to be put to death, a native Princess puts herself between him and her tribe. The Princess is of course, Pocahontas and she falls in love with Captain Smith.

Smith is eventually allowed back to the struggling English camp, the tribal King gives him permission to go in peace in exchange for a promise that the English will leave in the Spring. When Smith gets back to the camp, he finds that things are even worse than when he left – most of the English have died from malnutrition, the tribe initially donate food in goodwill and Smith takes charge. Unfortunately, it is not long before the Tribe discover that the English have dug in and have no intention to leave their land; the English are soon fighting for their lives against the natives and Pocahontas is torn between her loyalty for her people and her love for Smith.

It is clear from the very beginning that The New World is not merely a retelling of the Pocahontas fairytale – this is a film pulls no punches by using “inner voices” to allow the audience to see the inner turmoil from all sides of this classic story. In addition to this, director Terrence Malick’s legendary eye for detail is very visible – the director used a similar style in his last film – The Thin Red Line where he almost stops time and focuses the audience on a single moment. You get to see his films from everyone’s private perspective.

With amazing performances from all involved, a wonderful score by James ( “Titanic”) Horner, breathtaking cinematography and brilliant direction – The New World is a film that will stay with you long after the final credits have rolled. Highly recommended to rent – a modern classic.

Also Try -
Fans of The New World may also enjoy –
Legends of the Fall
The Thin Red Line
The Last of the Mohicans

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