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Ghosts of Mississippi

Play trailer Poster for Ghosts of Mississippi PG-13 Released Dec 20, 1996 2h 10m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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41% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In this film based on actual events, black activist Medgar Evers (James Pickens Jr.) is murdered in 1963, and much of the evidence points toward white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods). However, after two trials, De La Beckwith is acquitted twice by a jury of whites. Now, decades later in 1989, Evers' widow, Myrlie (Whoopi Goldberg), thinks she has evidence to finally convict him. But no lawyer will touch the case except the young and brash Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin).
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Ghosts of Mississippi

Ghosts of Mississippi

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Critics Consensus

James Woods is convincing as a white supremacist, but everything else rings false in this courtroom drama, which examines a weighty subject from the least interesting perspective.

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Critics Reviews

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David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture I've grown increasingly restive at such films as Mississippi Burning, A Time to Kill, and Ghosts of Mississippi... All three films celebrate the heroism of white law officers in prosecuting racist killers. Dec 5, 2018 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Jan 1, 2011 Full Review Scott Mendelson rec.arts.movies.reviews Rated: C+ Apr 25, 2007 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 2/5 Oct 9, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 1/5 Jun 15, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (235) audience reviews
Lance U Unfortunately the filmmakers behind ‘GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI' didn't feel that this very fascinating, very heartbreaking, very powerful & very true story deserved a very good movie. Such a wasted opportunity. C- Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Michael W This courtroom movie was really good. Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, William H. Macy, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about the murder case of activist Medger Evers that took nearly 30 years to convict the murderer was dramatic, inspirational, and tense. It's about never giving up on a case no matter how long it takes to win. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/02/23 Full Review Michael S James Woods as an evil racist is the only reason to see this underachieving drama. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Jelisije J A movie that is based on a true story and yet has the most cartoonish Hollywood stereotypes to hard to ignore in what could've been an instant classic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/02/23 Full Review Renato D I have seen this film and loved It. Whoppi is a great actress Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/03/23 Full Review Audience Member The Ghosts of Mississippi was a great film. Still is. I do not post much,but, i had to as i am here watching many historic Black Films, from X (Denzel/Spike Lee) to Medgar movie today. I'm loving how Hollywood actress Whoopi was acting in the film. I love how his real life widow, never gave up a fight for what is right. Real women are exactly like Coretta Lovely Scott-King, to Merlie Evers, so many others, during this time, when my parents remember it all. Their younger decades of seeing many innocent people of color just being slained for no reason. I like how the film focus on the trial and Alec Baldwin, was great in it, as POLTERGEIST GUY and he also starred in his own sitcom "COACH." (forgetting his name, Craig something)but, they were on the "good guys team and prosecuted." i love it. Watching it right now. So sad, how this GREAT man was slain, by as usual, a WHITE COWARD with a gun. Nothing more. Same as the WHITE KKK nothing but wimpy, no good POS cowards, have to "hide behind a sheet on their redneck white heads, can't approach a black, jewish hispanic brown men face to face, always have to "hide."True definition of a COWARD, even up through today. Hiding behind a tree by his house? Yea, that's a real tough guy. Medgar was a good man. Actress Whoopi Goldberg, was incredible, all the way through. The kids crying in the beginning, watching him die, was heartbreaking. Him saying, "Just turn me loose, turn me loose, then dying peacefully at least, in her arms." Not right, but he is still remembered by my family, and others."I'm glad it has received the praise it deserve.(Even if not here on R.Tomatoes, the majority matter, not limited.)It is a great film, well done by ROB REINER, a huge fan of his reality, his passion for history, justice, even throughout today." James Woods, like always, plays a great realistic White POS racist type,or sleazeball in Casino. He is a convincing loser type of character. Going back to watch. Love this one. But, love more MISSISSIPPI BURNING. i feel DAMN good when i am able to smile when the white racist POS cowards are finally held accountable, same as today." From: MATT IACONA. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Ghosts of Mississippi

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this film based on actual events, black activist Medgar Evers (James Pickens Jr.) is murdered in 1963, and much of the evidence points toward white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods). However, after two trials, De La Beckwith is acquitted twice by a jury of whites. Now, decades later in 1989, Evers' widow, Myrlie (Whoopi Goldberg), thinks she has evidence to finally convict him. But no lawyer will touch the case except the young and brash Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin).
Director
Rob Reiner
Producer
Frederick Zollo, Andrew Scheinman, Rob Reiner, Nicholas Paleologos
Screenwriter
Lewis Colick
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG-13
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 20, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.1M
Runtime
2h 10m
Sound Mix
Surround
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