John Smith In The Film Pocahontas

Many historical events are told through movies, and books. Some are very accurate on the events that happened in the past, and some are not as accurate. The author or producer, sometimes stretches the story, or adds extra detail to make it more interesting for the audience. Even in textbooks the authors are not at all times positive the information is correct because of the fact that not everything was not documented in the past. Many things we learn from history are stories passed down from ancestors. Pocahontas is one of the many people in history whose story was not documented, but it was passed down mostly verbally. Pocahontas is a story of a young Indian girl whose tribe makes peace with English voyagers. Pocahontas marries an Englishman, after being kidnapped and then finds a new life with him in Britain. There are many differences between the 1995 film …show more content…
In the film John Smith wants peace with the Indians. In the real history of Smith he was more aggressive with Indians. In Exploring American Histories Hewit states “he argued that intimidating the Indians was the way to win Powhatan’s respect.”(36) In the movie he jumps in front of a gunshot to save Powhatan’s life and that is how smith gains Powhatan’s respect. In Historical events when Smith comes to negotiate with Powhatan and they do not go well, Powhatan plans on killing Smith and respect is never gained. After this event Powhatan never sees Smith again, but in the film he is never seen again when he is sent back to Britain after being shot and needing medical help. In the movie Pocahontas did not want Kocoum to take her hand in marriage. In the real history of Pocahontas it is said by Stebbins, “ The fact that he was not a chief, and thus not high in status, suggests that Pocahontas may have married for love.” In the movie Pocahontas chooses John Smith over Kocoum before Kocoum is shot and killed by an English