Free State of Jones

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Free State of Jones

R

Released Jun 24, 2016

2h 19m

History

Drama

Biography

War

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Popcornmeter

48%

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192 Reviews

64%

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10,000+ Ratings

In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newt Knight serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history.

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Critics Consensus

Free State of Jones has the noblest of intentions, but they aren't enough to make up for its stilted treatment of a fascinating real-life story.

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Soraya Nadia McDonald

Andscape

Because Free State of Jones concentrates so singularly on making [Matthew] McConaughey the hero of the film, it ends up being a series of missed opportunities.

Sep 26, 2017

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

While all the performances are solid, there's too much of a distance from the setting of the story to truly create an immersive experience between the audience and the film.

Rated: C

Mar 21, 2017

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

A surprisingly enlightening film.

Nov 8, 2016

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The more unforgivable flaws center on narrative choices and misplaced emotion.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

...a well-made film that’s both gripping and informative.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

No matter what's happening in the story, Ross finds a way to formally detach his audience from the drama to a frustrating degree.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 11, 2022

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Daniel N

This movie seems to get better every time I watch it. I wasn't impressed the first time through, as it's quite a slow burn, but once you watch it again you begin to appreciate just how powerful it is.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

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MG_Claymore C

Glad to see a true and grim representation of war. Not as bad as the reviews suggest.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Ben C

Much better than the reviews suggest. Informative and it makes you believe you are experiencing the time period without going too much over the top. As well as excellent acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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T D

Soooooooooooo boring.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

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HMF B

I enjoyed the movie and learned things about the Civil War and early days of emancipation that I did not know. I realize it is too centered on McConaughey's character but I still recommend the movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

Full Review

J F

I've taught history for 20+ years, with a MA in American History. Ask Eric Foner - the least understood period of US History and a missed opportunity that cannot be quantified, is Reconstruction. When McConaughey walks up to Moses after he's been castrated and hanged, his eyes tell the whole story of that missed opportunity that we are still fighting today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

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Gary Ross

Director

Matthew McConaughey

Newt Knight

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Rachel

Mahershala Ali

Moses

Keri Russell

Serena Knight

Brendan Gleeson

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Free State of Jones: Trailer 2

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Synopsis

In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newt Knight serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history.

Director: Gary Ross
Producer: Scott Stuber, Jon Kilik, Gary Ross
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Leonard Hartman
Distributor: STX Entertainment
Production Co: Huayi Brothers, Route One Films, Larger Than Life, IM Global, Bluegrass Films, Vendian Entertainment
Rating: R (Disturbing Graphic Images|Brutal Battle Scenes)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Runtime: 2h 19m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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