Director : Terrence Malick

Stars :
Colin Farrell .... Captain John Smith
Christopher Plummer .... Captain Christopher Newport
Christian Bale .... John Rolfe
August Schellenberg .... Powhatan
Wes Studi .... Opechancanough
David Thewlis .... Captain Edward Wingfield
Yorick van Wageningen .... Captain Argall
Q'Orianka Kilcher .... Pocahontas

Preparation :
Read the Roger Ebert and History New Network Review

Historical/Social Significance :
Terrence Malick's The New World strips away all the fancy and lore from the story of Pocahontas and her tribe and the English settlers at Jamestown, and imagines how new and strange these people must have seemed to one another.

Synopsis :
In 1607 two worlds collide as English settlers land in what will come to be called Jamestown, Virginia.

Guided Questions for Viewing :
Assessment questions will be based on the following :
• In his creation myth of America focusing upon the legend of Pocahontas, Malick unfortunately tends to perpetuate the notion that American history began when white Englishmen entered the stage in 1607. (History News Network). Comment on this statement with regard to the movie.
• With reference to the movie, compare and contrast the depiction of the natives and the settlers.
• One of the themes of Terrence Malick's movies is the destruction of nature by man. Discuss how he showed this in The New World