Quality film.
'Free State of Jones' tells the true story of Newton Knight's role in the American Civil War. As you'd hope/expect, it leads to captivating viewing. Matthew McConaughey is superb, while he's supported excellently by Mahershala Ali.
It's tough to watch in large portions given the obvious things from the Civil War era, from the war itself but also to slavery. I had never heard of Newton Knight, so it was very interesting for me to see it unfold and learning bits - even with some creative license, I'm sure. It also serves an important message that slavery didn't end with the Emancipation Proclamation.
I personally found the film very well paced and extremely nicely shot, McConaughey and Ali are the stars but there are also notable performances from the likes of Gugu Mbatha-Raw. It's a great film, one that's worth a watch. Sadness and heart aplenty.
A powerful and moving film that explores the best and worst aspects of human nature. The movie is a compelling mix of action, drama, and historical accuracy, with an excellent supporting cast that brings the story to life. The film's exploration of race, class, and social justice is both timely and thought-provoking, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in American history.
A very strong/ sad well made film with a super cast behind it. Matthew McConaughey was a solid leading role. It's events still happen in todays world sadly, but not has bad. I believe that we are all equal, and have the same rights as each other.. We are all human after all.. and are colour etc doesn't change that..
While the film does jump forward in time a lot, I still felt it was an effective depiction of the Civil War era. The inhumanity of man continues, sadly, but we need to be thankful for the people who continue to fight for human rights.
Not saying it´s a bad movie but a tough one for a non-american. The story makes to many leaps so I had difficulties following and I never felt anything towards the characters.
Free State of Jones is a film that tells an almost unknown precious story of American history. Gary Ross decides to deal with the episode with a strongly cinematographic imprint, sometimes to the detriment of the realism with which he tells the historical period. In spite of this, he generally succeeds very well in his intention to enhance it. The broken narrative and a slight lack of grit, however, do not give that extra touch that would have allowed the film to reach a higher level. In any case, it is still a very good product.
As with all civil war era films, a large part of the product has to be the look and feel. In this regard the Free State of Jones gets it spot on. Well from limited knowledge. The whispy extravagant facial hair is all there and everyone, on the whole, is scruffy and not too healthy looking. Director Gary Ross, if nothing else, has captured the feel and look of Civil War America. Attention to detail and patient story-telling create a strong hand in a period that has been filmed many times over the years.
Throw into the mix an earnest performance by Matthew McConaughey playing to his strengths, a laconic southern with a hidden backbone of steel, and you have a lead that can hold the story together more or less on his own. That’s not to say the supporting cast do not chip in. Oxford-born Gugu Mbatha-Raw adds another great performance to her, frankly growing, list and Mashershala Ali is inspirational, dignified and brave as freedman Moses Washington. Christopher Berry and Sean Bridgers add weight to the cast as Knight’s long-term and loyal friends and Keri Russell shines in a small but interesting role. McConaughey needs to be charismatic whilst playing a seemingly ordinary, undereducated man, to my mind this is no easy task and he shows that his McConaissance, whilst perhaps slightly weakened, is still healthy and frankly well-earned.
The problem that the Free State of Jones has is the scope of the real story. Spanning from 1862 in including scenes from 1948 that is a lot to cram into 140 minutes. Therefore like many Civil War-era films, scenes are bracketed by expository copy and cards, much like Glory. As with many films from this era you have wonder if a TV series might serve it better. This is not to say the film is poor or disjointed as it is, but the jumps from period to period sometimes jars, with huge events covered by two or three lines of text so that the film can focus on Knight and his friends and kin.
Like many stories of this kind composite characters have been added to drive the viewers emotions and if you are aware of this trick the two main characters in this film that are there for that purpose tend to stick out like a sore thumb. Having said this post-viewing research revealed that in general the film sticks to the facts as they are known. Matthew McConaughey even looks like the few photographs that exist of Knight.
This is a good US Civil War film showing a story that is probably not widely known about that period in US history. Add into the mix current events and the attitudes that are shown in the film have to be admired – obviously, they were probably not quite as ‘modern’ as depicted but films have to be made palatable to current audiences.
Not successful at the box office this is probably because the movie is slow paced and not what many thought a film about the Civil War would be with regard to action in these days of exploding buildings, death and mayhem. If you have patience the story creeps up on you and keeps your attention with what was ultimately a story of people beaten but not cowed by the gears of war that tried to chew them up.
Last, but most definitely not least, like so many historic biopics Free State of Jones means I then researched the real history. I see this as a huge positive for any historical film, even if they are wildly inaccurate, and hopefully, others will do as I have.
For a quick skim for facts in this type of thing I would recommend starting off with the excellent http://www.chasingthefrog.com
like the person below me, as a non-American I was a little lost with the timelines within the movie and got lost in parts, luckily I had my brother in law with me to fill in gaps and educate me as we were going along (although we didn't realise this movie was over 2 hours long so after all the pauses etc we were sat for nearly 3 hours in total for this one)
The movie is certainly powerful and very well done I found Matthew excellent in his role, and I am not his biggest fan if I'm quite honest, but Moses had to be my favourite by far, certainly makes you think, it was hard to watch at times but there wasn't anything unnecessary or too much, and despite the length I was never bored and watched eagerly until the end.
Great movie! I think Americans don't like this movie because of their bad history!
It’s sad that in 2024 we’re still talking about reparations, voting, human rights and decency. I’m baffled that there’s still a fight to be free. “Make America Great Again, for who? But that’s not the question, the question is what do rich men know? Because they are willing to go to war over human rights. It’s sad that today we’re still pretending, guessing or ignore that we are black or white.
Due to the film constantly jumping forward 70 years and then back, was difficult to understand. Confusing as to the relation the 1950’s had with the 1870’s, which wasn’t explained. Maybe Americans can understand, but not others.
Free State of Jones is a very inspirational story but the film doesn't have the impact that true story does. This movie would've been better suited as a documentary. Matthew McConaughey's performance is solid but Gary Ross was not a good choice for this film with some wacky editing and an overlong runtime.
I liked its story was pretty interesting and good but i think old Matthew wasnt the right man for this role... i just couldnt see him as newt. But then rest was well made with the right amount of violent/ indecent images and the soundtracks that fit in. Really liked Moses he gives you a certain sensibility required to enjoy this movie.
the story is quite good, this is a long movie in the sense that parts 'drag' on/out.. #ShiftvW8
Shout by DurackBlockedParent2021-06-27T13:29:19Z
A really good movie. Matthew McConaughey is supported well by a good cast.
The morals of the story apply to this day...;
Newton Knight: What a man grows with his own two hands ought to belong to him, yeah? How does the scripture go, Jasper?
Jasper Collins: It says from the Book of Galatians, “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Newton Knight: What you sow you should reap. What you put in the ground you should take out of the ground. Now they say they’re taking ten percent.
Corn Field Worker: No, they leave us ten percent, sir.
Newton Knight: Leave ten percent. Do you think they’re taking ten percent from that plantation owner over in Natchez? Huh? Do you think they’re taking ten percent from him?
[the crowd replies no]