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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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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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Christopher M

Great action with great acting. But it feels like its miss something. An enjoyable watch none-the-less.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Fiona H

Loved it!! Excellent acting, and an important history lesson…. Highly recommend

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

Chris H

This is a fascinating subject and a well acted and emotional film, but the pacing is very peculiar in parts; just when things get interesting, we skip ahead several months. Well worth a couple of hours of your time though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Patrick M

I only have one word - Outstanding!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/24

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Rob A

If you don't give a darn about history you should probably skip this one. But it tells a powerful true story few know about, with solid acting, costumes, set design etc. I find the American Civil War under-emphasized by Hollywood (not unlike WW1); the Nazis get most of Tinseltown's attention. 'Free State of Jones' isn't quite Gone With the Wind, but it'll transport you back there, teach you a thing or two and most certainly hold your interest.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

Kevin P

A movie of two halves. Plenty of gritty storytelling in the first half, but then strangely pulls its punches in the second. What could have been a dramatic tale of the realities of the South resisting Emancipation, it waters most of it down into a docu-drama. Still well worth a watch to learn about the history.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

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 1

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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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