Capt. John Smith leads a rag-tag band of English sailors & soldiers to the New World to plunder its riches for England (or, more precisely, for Governor Ratcliffe, who comes along for the ride). Meanwhile, in this "New World," Chief Powhatan has pledged his daughter, Pocahontas, to be married to the village's greatest warrior. Pocahontas, however, has other ideas. She has seen a vision of a spinning arrow, a vision she believes tells her change is coming. Her life does indeed change when the English ship lands near her village. Between Ratcliffe, who believes the "savages" are hiding the gold he expected to be plentiful, and Powhatan, who believes these pale newcomers will destroy their land, Smith and Pocahontas have a difficult time preventing all-out war, and saving their love for each other.

A song titled "If I Never Knew You" was cut after children in test audiences found it boring. At the time, it was almost fully animated, with the exception of color. For the film's 10th anniversary DVD release, the animation was completed and the song inserted back into the film, as well as a short reprise in the final scene.

John Smith:
We've improved the lives of savages all over the world.


Pocahontas:
*Savages*?


John Smith:
Uh, not that *you're* a savage.


Pocahontas:
Just my people!


John Smith:
No. Listen. That's not what I meant. Let me explain, uh...


Pocahontas:
Let go!


John Smith:
No, I'm not letting you leave.


Pocahontas:
[jumps up into a tree]


John Smith:
Look, don't do this. Savage is just a word, uh, you know. A term for people who are uncivilized.


Pocahontas:
Like me.


John Smith:
Well, when I say uncivilized, what I mean is, is...


Pocahontas:
What you mean is, "not like you."

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: There are many historical inaccuracies in this story of Pocahontas, however this is (obviously) a highly fictionalized account of her life.

(End Title)
Performed by Vanessa Williams
Produced by Keith Thomas
Arranged by Robbie Buchanan and Keith Thomas