The New World

Ryan welcomes returning co-host Craig back to The Director’s Chair Network for Terrence Malick’s *The New World* (2005). They talk first viewings in theaters, why Malick belongs on the biggest screen possible, the three existing cuts of the film, Emmanuel Lubezki’s natural-light cinematography, and James Horner’s famously unhappy score experience. The conversation covers Colin Farrell as John Smith, Christian Bale as John Rolfe, Q’orianka Kilcher’s breakout as Pocahontas, Christopher Plummer’s brief but sharp work, and how the movie handles the historical romance without turning it into Disney. Craig previously hosted the Brian De Palma season on the network. Also happening on the channel: Sam Peckinpah coverage from Scott Murphy, plus thanks to Katie (John Hughes), Andy (Edgar Wright), and Sicco (Paul Verhoeven). Ryan and Craig also tease covering Michael Mann’s *Heat 2* when it arrives. A long, immersive sit with one of Malick’s most visually stunning films. 00:00 – Intro, Craig returns, network updates (Peckinpah, De Palma, Hughes, Wright, Verhoeven) 04:00 – Their history with Malick and first seeing *The New World* in theaters 10:00 – Three cuts of the film and the Criterion set 14:00 – James Horner’s score and his public frustration 20:00 – Plot overview: Jamestown, Smith, Pocahontas, Rolfe 28:00 – Look, authenticity, and Lubezki’s cinematography 35:00 – Colin Farrell and the John Smith romance 42:00 – Christian Bale as John Rolfe 48:00 – Q’orianka Kilcher’s casting, age, and performance 58:00 – Christopher Plummer and the fighting sequences 1:05:00 – How Malick actually directs on set 1:12:00 – Final thoughts, box office, and why the film has grown 1:16:00 – Heat 2 tease and wrap-up