CINEMA: PRINCESS OF THE SPIRIT

BEYOND THE P.C. DEBATE ON THE DEPICTION OF AMERICAN INDIANS, POCAHONTAS OFFERS A HAUNTING MORALITY MUSICAL ABOUT LOVE LOST

Ah, innocence! these days, can a movie be made on that subject, or any other, without stepping into a puddle of trouble? With the Christian Right and its political cronies on one side and a gaggle of cultural protectionists on the other, it's now possible for even a G-rated film to annoy somebody, anybody, with a special interest and access to a fax machine.

This week's example: Pocahontas, the handsome, deeply felt, even more deeply reverent animated musical from the Walt Disney Co. In retelling and retooling the 17th century encounter between the Powhatan princess and English Captain John Smith, the...

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