In 1607, the Virginia Company sends a ship from England to America to stake a claim on the New World and bring back the gold that is rumored to be abundant there. Ambitious Governor Ratcliffe is head of the expedition, but well-known explorer and adventurer John Smith is the natural leader. Well-armed, the men anticipate easily fighting off any one they encounter, but John Smith's first meeting with a native is not at all what he expects. Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas resists taking life seriously, although her father wishes for her to marry and take her place as a leader of her people. As Pocahontas and John Smith fall in love, however, both find that their lives are going in directions they never anticipated.