Ghosts of Mississippi

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Ghosts of Mississippi

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 1996

2h 10m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

41%

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29 Reviews

62%

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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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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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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

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Strong performances but just another movie about civil rights issues that pays too much attention to the white characters.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 20, 2004

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Rob Reiner's self-congratulatory Ghosts of Mississippi portrays Medgar Evers' slaying from the viewpoint of a white guy and can't even do a capable job of that.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Scott Mendelson

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Rated: C+

Apr 25, 2007

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 9, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Jun 15, 2005

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Rob Reiner

Director

Alec Baldwin

Bobby DeLaughter, Assistant D.A. Hinds Co. Mississippi

Whoopi Goldberg

Myrlie Evers

James Woods

Byron De La Beckwith

Craig T. Nelson

Ed Peters, District Attorney Hinds Co. Mississippi

Susanna Thompson

Peggy Lloyd

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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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