1953

Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Dir. Lew Landers. Perf. Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance, Alan Hale, Jr. United Artists, 1953. Generally referred to as a "B" movie: "Though encouraged by his fellow settlers to oppress the Native Americans and scour the land for gold, Smith has more long-term goals in mind, attempting to befriend the 'naturals' and teaching his men how to conservatively farm the land. Smith's philosophy raises the ire of his rival, Wingfield, who considers himself 'a gentleman, not an adventurer,' but quickly proves himself to be neither. When the settlers are attacked by the locals (in the style of the Hollywood Injun of the wild West), Smith assumes leadership of the settlement and orders the construction of a stockade, and leads a peace-seeking delegation to meet Chief Powhatan. En route, Smith encounters Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas. She befriends the white settler and later--as every elementary school student remembers--saves Smith from execution by offering to marry him. 'Let the white skin's life be spared!' decrees the chief. Pocahontas's independent streak causes her to butt heads with Smith, but she eventually earns his respect and affection. Wingfield's mistreatment of the naturals stirs up tensions between the Native Americans and the settlers, threatening the tentative peace that Smith had so recently forged. After defending the stockade from a devastating attack, Smith contemplates a return to England, raising the dramatic question of whether he and Pocahontas will live together in the New World in happiness, or separate from one another for the sake of the peace between the two nations."
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