John Rolfe is the deuteragonist in Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, the sequel to the 1995 film Pocahontas. He was voiced by Billy Zane for his speaking and singing voices.
Background
John Rolfe is a dashing young English diplomat in service to King James. He is sent to Jamestown with the task of bringing the Indian Chief back to England for negotiations in order to prevent a war between the Indians and the English. His character is based on the historical John Rolfe, who was married to the real life Pocahontas. In the film, he and Pocahontas are initially at odds, but he eventually falls strongly in love with her.
At first, John Rolfe is known for his need to be in charge, which Pocahontas is disgusted with. He later shows more class and good manners during the voyage back to England, when he guards Pocahontas from the rough crew.
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
John Rolfe is tasked by King James with bringing Chief Powhatan to London for negotiations in order to avoid another war between the natives and the settlers. He is greeted by the settlers in Jamestown, as well as Pocahontas. However, he is disliked by Pocahontas after he interferes in an incident between several Native Americans and setters, who were ready to attack one another.
Later, Rolfe overhears two women talking about how Pocahontas stopped a war, and falsely assumes that Pocahontas is the name of the chief, rather than of the young woman he met earlier. That night, he brings a horse as a gift for the "chief" but is astonished to learn who Pocahontas really is. The real chief, Powhatan, refuses to go to England, and so Rolfe is forced to take Pocahontas so that war can be avoided. Rolfe and Pocahontas clash on the voyage, but soon reach a truce after Rolfe saves Pocahontas from being arrested as a stowaway on the ship.
In England, Rolfe is given a proclamation by Governor Ratcliffe on behalf of the king, which states that if King James is not impressed by the Powhatan ambassador, an armada will set sail for Jamestown. After resting at his estate, Rolfe meets with King James. At Ratcliffe's suggestion, both Rolfe and Pocahontas are invited to a ball that night. Pocahontas would have to impress the king by appearing "civilized" in order to prevent the armada from sailing, much to the disgust of John Rolfe.
Pocahontas agrees to the plan, despite Rolfe's doubts, and is tutored in dancing and etiquette. Pocahontas dons a dress, and is powdered white, and is able to impress the king at first. However, Pocahontas offends the king by protesting a bear-baiting, which results in her being arrested and Rolfe's hopes for peace being shattered. That night, Rolfe meets a hooded stranger who assists him in breaking Pocahontas out of prison. At a cabin, the stranger reveals himself to be John Smith, who had been assumed dead after Ratcliffe had tried to arrest him. The fact that John Smith is still alive proves that Ratcliffe had been lying to the king in order to avoid his own crimes. While John Smith wishes for Pocahontas to remain hidden, John Rolfe allows Pocahontas to follow her heart. Smith soon realizes that John Rolfe has deeply fallen romantically in love with her.
Pocahontas goes before the king and queen, and, with the help of John Smith and John Rolfe, is able to reveal Ratcliffe as a traitor and liar. John Rolfe and the others then race to stop the armada, which they do so successfully. For his part in revealing the plot, Rolfe is offered a position as the king's adviser. He chooses to stay and Pocahontas chooses to head home alone. On the ship, Rolfe suddenly appears, revealing that he has actually turned down the king's position in favor of staying with her. John Rolfe and Pocahontas passionately embrace and romantically kiss as the ship sails off in the sunset.
Trivia
- John Rolfe cannot be found at the Disney Parks.
- In real life, Rolfe came to America in 1610 to give the English settlers Tobacco in Virginia by making a tobacco plantation after he lost his first wife, Sarah Hacker in Bermuda. In the movie, Rolfe was sent to Virginia by King James and Queen Anne to accompany Chief Powhatan to London.
- In real life, he met Pocahontas during her captivity under Sir Thomas Dale and conversion to Christiaintiy through Reverend Alexander Whitaker in July of 1613 in the settlement of Henricus. In the movie, he met Pocahontas in her village.
- In real life, he married Pocahontas at a church in Virginia on April 5, 1614. The minister of their wedding was Rolfe's long-time friend, Richard Buck. A year after their wedding, the couple had a son named Thomas. In the movie, Rolfe married her while they were in London and do not have child afterwards.
- The real John Rolfe returned to Virginia without Pocahontas because of her death on March 21, 1617. She was buried at Saint George's Church in Gravesend. Rolfe adopted his two year old son, Thomas to his family in Heacham. After that, he sailed to Virginia with Uttamatomakkin. The ship's commander was Samuel Argall who abducted Pocahontas four years earlier.
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