There is so much wrong with the film from a historic point of view, but John Smith  was in his 20s.
From the age of 19, he had been a soldier who fought in wars in eastern and western European (as a mercenary), was captured and a slave to the Turks, escaped to travel and sail with pirates, and was an all-around "adventurer" to say the least.  By the time he got to Jamestown, he may have been "old" as far as experience goes, but he was only 27.
Pocahontas was probably 10 or 11-- most likely having a shaved head and wearing little more than a few decorations on her body except in cold weather; Smith never wrote nor claimed any "romance" with Pocahontas.  (As a matter of fact, one noted English historian speculated that, since Smith had been captured by the Turks-- and it was their general practice to castrate their adult, male captives-- and there is no record of Smith having any relationship with any female-- his sexual ability may well have been seriously diminished, if not nonexistent.)
I have seen scenes of the film but haven't seen the whole thing.  I have heard
that it is beautiful to behold (and should help tourism to Virginia) but WAY off the real story. Too bad they didn't cast a heartthrob as John Rolfe so he could have had the steamy scenes with Pocahontas.
-Melinda Skinner (educational writer/researcher, among other things)

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Louise Bernikow <[log in to unmask]>
> In a message dated 1/3/06 1:25:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
> writes:
>
>
> > From the previews, it is a perpetuation of the John Smith-Pocahontas
> > "romance" which never happened...she was a child and there are indications
> > that
> > John Smith made up the story to make himself look like a hero!  I direct
> > interestedJoh
>
> From beginning to end, it's a dumb distortion of everything we know.
> Farrel/smith is in his early 20's! The "naturals" attack j-towne fort with
> pocahontas
> inside. they have bizarre body/face paint, unlike any pics i've ever seen. the
> "maids" who come-glimpsed mostly in the background-are middle-aged.
> pocahontas has a kind of english nanny (not the clergy) turning her into an
> english
> lass. she is received at court by king and queen. and on and on. i can't imagine
> why malick has done this- the history is so much more interesting, the
> story/characters here have no responses we can read (except for the mooning love
> story and I think p. looks polynesian, not native am. ) so there is no insight,
> no
> real emotion, no understanding.
> weren't there people on this list who worked as historical consultants on the
> film? would love to hear from them.
> it does look filmed at the Jamestown restoration. true?
> Louise Bernikow
>
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