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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

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Hugh L I understand (but do not share) some of the criticisms of this film. The film was a remarkable achievement, considering the time at which it was created. Yes, there is a bit of what we minorities call "The White Savior" syndrome. However, the film seems to be very true to the actual historical events. It is also powerfully acted and directed, and the desire of the cast and crew to do honor to the story seems apparent, to me at least. There are many, many powerful and moving scenes. Personally, when Alec Baldwin says the line " We never get right for the wrong we done" I am very moved. I think Rob Reiner gets an "A for Effort", as does most of the cast. James Woods is entirely beleivable as a sociopath..... the role he was made to play. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/25 Full Review 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 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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