Shocking Truth: Disney’s Pocahontas and John Smith Love Story is Completely Made Up!

“To you, I am the ignorant savage. You speak of my difference…” If these words sound familiar, you have likely seen (or revisited) Pocahontas, an Indian legend. Released in 1995 during Disney’s golden age, the film did not achieve the expected success and was overshadowed by the popularity of The Lion King, which premiered just before, and Toy Story, which came right after.

But 30 years later, everyone knows Pocahontas and her romantic tale with John Smith, an English settler who ventured to the New World seeking an exhilarating adventure. Directed by the duo Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg, with music by the talented Alan Menken, Disney promotes several themes in this film: tolerance, prejudice, openness to others, and love that can unify two peoples who are seemingly at odds.

While the story is beautifully presented on screen, the reality was quite different. Indeed, the character of Pocahontas did exist, and she played a significant role in bridging the gap between the Colonists and the Indigenous people of her tribe, though not without conflict. This is what we explore in this new episode of This is a True Story, which uncovers the true but lesser-known stories behind your favorite films and series.

From her childhood to her untimely death at the age of 21, we revisit the events that marked her life and inspired, centuries later, one of Disney’s most famous heroines.

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Find all episodes of This is a True Story on the AlloCiné Podcast channel.