Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones Released Sep 20 1h 38m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 2 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Gangster for some, hero for others, who was really Edward Jones? In the '30s and '40s, this descendant of slaves becomes one of the richest men in the US thanks to the Policy business, an illegal numbers game that ultimately became the modern State Lottery. But in these times of segregation, his success and unfailing support to the African American community are a problem. In conflict with both the mob and the Feds, he is forced into a life on the run. Exploring the rise and fall of the most famous Policy King of all times, the filmmaker, Edward Jones' granddaughter, uncovers an unparalleled story, while showing the lasting repercussions of his untold story, both within her family, and for Chicago's South Side where he once embodied the American dream. Love, success, violence, revenge, mafia, murder, betrayal, prison, kidnapping... Edward Jones' story holds all the best ingredients of gangster movies. Add segregation and you have a very explosive cocktail!

Critics Reviews

View All (2) Critics Reviews
Peter Sobczynski RogerEbert.com “King of Kings” is a story of someone exploring their familial roots and coming to terms with the unexpectedly vast and far-reaching legacy they manage to uncover along the way. Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views "King of Kings” becomes a story of how racism created the conditions for the intelligent Jones brothers to prioritize a practical path to prosperity instead of proper poverty, the usual option in a segregated system Sep 27, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
MannySota Mannnnn, I SUPREMELY LOVED IT! I've already read the text that Nathan Thompson authored. But, this seemed to tell so much more. Especially things about his family. And most of all, being able to hear his voice when he was made to testify. I'd certainly love to view again Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Jake S I really loved this film. I live in Chicago and learned so much about my own cities history (along with an impressive amount of archival footage that was amazing to see). The focus of the film, Edward Jones, is an intensely interesting man who's life deserved to be honored with this film, what an incredible story! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/24 Full Review Helen M Absolutely amazing! A truly incredible story that everyone should see!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews
King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew
View All videos

King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones

King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones: Trailer 1 King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones: Trailer 1 1:59 View more videos
View All King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones photos

King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones

King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones (2022) King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones (2022) King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones (2022) King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones (2022) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gangster for some, hero for others, who was really Edward Jones? In the '30s and '40s, this descendant of slaves becomes one of the richest men in the US thanks to the Policy business, an illegal numbers game that ultimately became the modern State Lottery. But in these times of segregation, his success and unfailing support to the African American community are a problem. In conflict with both the mob and the Feds, he is forced into a life on the run. Exploring the rise and fall of the most famous Policy King of all times, the filmmaker, Edward Jones' granddaughter, uncovers an unparalleled story, while showing the lasting repercussions of his untold story, both within her family, and for Chicago's South Side where he once embodied the American dream. Love, success, violence, revenge, mafia, murder, betrayal, prison, kidnapping... Edward Jones' story holds all the best ingredients of gangster movies. Add segregation and you have a very explosive cocktail!
Director
Harriet Marin Jones
Screenwriter
Harriet Marin Jones, Michel Fessler, Giles Gardner, Harriet Marin Jones
Production Co
Abélart Productions
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2024, Limited
Runtime
1h 38m