Although a subject of controversy among historians, the film plays up the angle of a possible love affair between Smith and Pocahontas, but it accurately records her eventual marriage to John Rolfe (Christian Bale) and the couple’s celebrated trip to London. But The New World’s problems don’t stem from historical accuracy, but rather from the fact that the preceding couple paragraphs comprises a detailed account of everything that happens in a tedious two-hour and 15-minute snoozer. In short, it’s long and boring.
As much as the film fails to live up to expectations, this much can be said for The New World: it accurately portrays the landscape of southeastern Virginia. That alone makes it immensely superior to Disney’s Pocahontas which featured non-indigenous animals and forests peppered with waterfalls. Unfortunately, an entire generation of children gathered their personal knowledge of local geography from that film.
From the perspective of set design, wardrobe, historical underpinnings, and the mere beauty of its images, The New World is a film to behold. However, from the standpoint of dialogue, plot, direction, and performance, The New World is an utter flop. Unless you’re a history buff, and specifically a Jamestown junkie, avoid the film at all costs.
Britt’s Rating: 4.7/10
Article comments
1 - Howard Dratch
When we first saw this film recently we (my wife and I) would have agreed that the film was slow and flawed in spite of excellent cinematography.
As the film went on to England and the story became (perhaps because it was more historically accurate) more sure of itself, I began to disagree with you and with my own first impressions. Looking back on it I found that the characters lived up to their places and many of the seemingly slow and non-essential scenes did carry some weight (however, not all).
My biggest disagreement is that "The New World does manage to summon images of the first European settlers and the hardship they must have faced. From this standpoint, one can say it has some reflective value for those who appreciate human history." I thought it was evocative of the suffering of the invading colonists but was even better at showing the mass dislocation of the native people from the cruel excesses of the Europeans. The scenes of wandering, dazed indigenous people was far more telling than the mythos of the American history we are taught where they just sort of conveniently disappeared.
Overall, however, I agree. It was an ambitious attempt that did not quite succeed.
I disagree with your ending: "However, from the standpoint of dialogue, plot, direction, and performance, The New World is an utter flop. Unless you're a history buff, and specifically a Jamestown junkie, avoid the film at all costs." It isn't as successful as it should have been but it is basically entertaining, pretty if overly slow and long, and worth a viewing.