Pocahontas (1995 movie)

Pocahontas was The Walt Disney Company's 33rd animated feature film. The film was first released on June 16, 1995.

Related Topics:
The Walt Disney Company - Animated feature film - June 16 - 1995

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is based loosely on the encounter between the colonists of Jamestown, Virginia with the native Powhatan tribe, and in particular presents a highly romanticized account of the meeting between Pocahontas and John Smith. It is a musical; the songs have music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Related Topics:
Jamestown, Virginia - Powhatan - Pocahontas - John Smith - Musical - Alan Menken - Stephen Schwartz

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The film starred the voice acting of Mel Gibson as John Smith, Irene Bedard and Judy Kuhn as Pocahontas (speaking voice and singing voice, respectively), and David Ogden Stiers as John Ratcliffe as well as his footman Wiggins. Before his death, comedian John Candy had recorded a large amount of material for a turkey character, named Redfeather, who was to be Pocahontas's sidekick. Percy, too, was supposed to talk as well. Executives perceived the character to lighten the tone of the film excessively, and the turkey was replaced with the characters Meeko the raccoon and Flit the hummingbird.

Related Topics:
Mel Gibson - Irene Bedard - Judy Kuhn - David Ogden Stiers - John Ratcliffe - John Candy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many at Disney had high hopes for the movie while it was in production. Then-studio head Jeffrey Katzenberg regarded Pocahontas as a more prestigious project than The Lion King, and even believed that it had a chance of earning an Academy Award nomination for "Best Picture", as Beauty and the Beast had.

Related Topics:
Jeffrey Katzenberg - The Lion King - Academy Award - Beauty and the Beast

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~