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Captain John Smith and Pocahontas

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Captain John Smith and Pocahontas
Directed byLew Landers
Screenplay byJack Pollexfen
Aubrey Wisberg
Produced byJack Pollexfen
Aubrey Wisberg
StarringAnthony Dexter
Jody Lawrance
CinematographyEllis W. Carter
Edited byFred R. Feitshans Jr.
Music byAlbert Glasser
Color processPathécolor
Production
company
Edward Small Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • November 20, 1953 (1953-11-20)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Captain John Smith and Pocahontas is a 1953 American historical western film directed by Lew Landers. The distributor was United Artists. It stars Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance and Alan Hale.[1]

While most scenes were filmed in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains region, exteriors were shot around Bronson Canyon. It depicts the foundation of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia by English settlers and the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas. She married John Rolfe in real life. It is also known by the alternative title Burning Arrows.[2] Regarded as a B movie, the film has gained a cult following.

Plot

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Captain John Smith tells the story of Jamestown colony to the court of King James I. In 1607, the colonists have found more hardships than gold in Jamestown and Captain Wingfield is making plans to abandon the settlement. Smith, locked aboard the Godspeed escapes and swims to the river bank. He warns the camp of an Indian attack. The colonists repel the first attack. The Indians fire burning arrows into the camp then Smith orders John Rolfe to swim across the river swim and warn the ships. The settlers take cover during the second Indian attack which is repelled cannon fire from the ships. Smith is elected as leader of the colony and the settlers build a wooden stockade for protection. Rations are running out and it is discovered that the ships have gone. Smith goes on an expedition to make peace with Chief Powhatan where he meets Pocahontas briefly but is later captured by warriors. Before his execution, Pocahontas saves him. She is married to Smith to keep a peace between the settlers. The following day, a settler finds gold and tells Wingfield. He plans to fail the colony so that the gold will not be given to The Virginia Company. Smith returns with Indians who bring supplies and teach them how to grow crops. The next day, Macklin spots Wingfield hiding gold and giving guns to Opechanco's warriors but Turnbull kills him and Nataquas is blamed. Nataquas is lashed and given the blame for his death until Smith arrives. Wingfield tells Opechanco to attack and wipe out the colonists but to spare himself. The colonists repel the attack amid the fight Turnbull is killed by an arrow. Opechanco kills Nataquas, who planned to tell Chief Powhatan, and Pocahontas runs to Jamestown and tells Smith. To avenge Nataquas, Smith decided to fight Opechanco and kills him. Wingfield kills Davis for the gold and sets the gunpowder storehouse on fire. Smith fights him and escapes out of the hut as it explodes. The ships arrive and the doctor sends Smith to rest aboard the ship. Smith leaves Jamestown to sail back to England, leaving Rolfe in charge. After telling his story, Smith leaves the court of King James I, having told his story. The films ends with the statue of Pocahontas in London.

"A great lady - a princess of her people"

Cast

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Release

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The film was issued on a double bill with The Steel Lady.[3]

Reception

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Due to the lower limit budget, the film proved to be unsuccessful both by critics and at the box office. Hal Erickson of AllMovie gave the film his lowest star rating.

References

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  1. ^ Captain John Smith and Pocahontas at Turner Classic Movies
  2. ^ Österberg, Bertil (2000). Colonial America on Film and Television: A Filmography. McFarland. p. 7. ISBN 9780786450589.
  3. ^ "Adventure Keynotes Two-Feature Program". Los Angeles Times. Nov 18, 1953. p. A9.
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