When I asked the readers a few weeks ago to vote on a 17th-century historical drama to review, The New World 2005 got the most votes.
As it is for many other historical movies that typecast ethnicities, in the year 2025, this movie that gives a cinematic look into that aspect between John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher) also keeps people talking, perhaps because of that disputed history that borders on stunning art.
Personally, I used to get told that this movie is boring before I set myself to watch it. Picture yourself trying to swallow a dry desert without water. But really? It wasn’t all that horrible. It may not be to anyone’s liking that director Malick’s recognized slow shootings, surrealism, and scant dialogue played well with me. I was even doing the Marie Antoinette of Sofia Coppola. Each film is moody and somewhat internal — they’re more about feeling than about following a traditional narrative structure that doesn’t last much past the story’s end. more in apkkami.co
The Good, the Bad, and the Historically Questionable
I watched The New World 2005 with some trepidation, as do many people. Hollywood having had a few successes and failures when it comes to telling Native American stories was no exception here. It was named after John Smith’s highly unreliable account of the events and it is theorized that much of what Smith put to paper was either total fabrication, or sheer propaganda for his own ego.
We also must remember that Pocahontas was only a child of about 10 or 11 when this supposed romance was supossed to have occurred. All these elements overshadows the effort of the film to present a history based narrative. With that in mind though, it must be said that I was able to sit through the two-and-a-quarter hour running time of the movie.
Occasionally dialogue was muttered to the point of inaudibility but was not entirely missed, given subtitles. Compared to other films depicting the English settlers arrival in America the film was complex and for the most part, sensitive. One could easily note that for such a scene Malick hired professionals for things such as language and mimic material culture and even the players’ body language. Again, since I’m not Native American, I don’t know how accurate this aspect of the movie is, but any thoughts from those with more knowledge on the subject would be great.
The Costumes: A Mixed Bag
Ah, the costumes—one of my favorite things to analyze. While I can’t claim expertise on Algonquian attire, I was impressed by the effort to collaborate with cultural experts. The English costumes, however, are a different story. For much of the film, the settlers are dressed in simple, muddy garments that reflect the harsh realities of early Virginia. The silhouettes are mostly accurate, but the details don’t hold up under close scrutiny. Things get more visually interesting when the story moves to England, though it becomes a game of “spot the recycled costume.”
Highlights:
- Pocahontas’ Transformation:
It is not surprising that as she progresses through the changes, so does her outfit. At first, she dresses like an English person, but with a twist: she most often wear nothing but her underclothes. That’s probably her cultural exile, although this is surely a director’s choice to make her seem a girl from the next door for the modern movie-goers. - Court Arrival Gowns:
In the first scene when the lady gets to England she is dressed in black damask gown. Of course, its back-lacing design is undoubtedly exquisite, though being dubious for the period. It is perhaps worth of elaboration that the dress that she wore at the time of presenting the daughter for the ceremony was as close to authentic 17th-century Native American clothing, as any of the public could come: it is a buttoned black underwhelm reminiscent of the depicted Pocahontas.
Lowlights The New World 2005:
- Lacing Mishaps:
The middle part is fastened with shoelaces; why? Some more considerations which could be found useless the density of this element because the spiral lacing was known in the 17th century. - Recycled Costumes:
Spotting costumes from other films became a game. Queen Anne’s gown is straight out of Shakespeare in Love, while several of Pocahontas’ dresses are borrowed from Elizabeth (1998)—a movie set 50 years earlier. Even King James’ outfit might have made a cameo in Shakespeare in Love. Despite the inconsistencies, some pieces shine, like an embroidered jacket reminiscent of the Layton Jacket in the Victoria & Albert Museum. If only the rest of the costumes had been this thoughtful!
Final Thoughts: Why It Still Matters in The New World 2005
The New World 2005ンバ comic layered representations of a historically complex event are shown visually arresting and philosophically. But what it fails to do is under-estimate the clash of civilizations, still it glorifies some elements of the confrontation. This movie look pretty good and culturally sensitive to native Americans although the costumes were English not native American enough for me.
This movie still holds the ability to raise the pulses of fan lovers of moody period plays or those concerned with having a current discussion on history as we approach. The New World 2005. If you have seen it or if you would like to share your view on history display, then let us do so in the comments section.
