Free State of Jones

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Free State of Jones

R

2016

2h 19m

History

Drama

Biography

War

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Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

193 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

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

09/26/2017

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.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

03/21/2017

C

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.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

11/08/2016

A surprisingly enlightening film.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

10/13/2024

3/5

The more unforgivable flaws center on narrative choices and misplaced emotion.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/20/2022

3.5/5

...a well-made film that’s both gripping and informative.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

04/11/2022

2/4

No matter what's happening in the story, Ross finds a way to formally detach his audience from the drama to a frustrating degree.

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Gregory N

@GregoryMN Jan 16

Critics must be mad. It was an honest, powerful movie, but it's never enough for the woke brigade! Sorry, not all white folks are bad, and not all black folks are good.

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Kirsten W

@kirght Dec 5

I loved this movie. I hadn't heard of this guy and I think that's a shame. Thank God for movies.

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Magnus A

Dec 1

Good film. Maybe too much a vehicle for McConaughey but still very watchable.

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rex w

Sep 23

This grew on me the deeper I got into the film.

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Brittany N

Aug 27

Beautifully done & enlightening

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Troy R

@Grim16 Jul 7

Good story, good action, interesting history. Matthew McConaughey is pleasant as usual.

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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 2

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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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