Jun. 24, 2016|United States|140 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Drama;History;War
Description: “Free State of Jones” (2016) tells the story of Newton Knight, a poor farmer from Jones County who deserts the Confederate army during the Civil War. Disillusioned after witnessing the unfairness of the Twenty Negro Law, which allows wealthy men to avoid conscription, and the death of his nephew, Newton returns home. There, he befriends Rachel, an enslaved woman who has secretly learned to read.
As Newton’s dissatisfaction with the Confederacy grows, he discovers that Confederate troops are seizing crops and livestock from local farmers as “taxes” to fund the war. After helping a family resist one such raid, he is pursued by a Confederate patrol and injured by an attack dog. With the help of sympathetic individuals, including abolitionist Aunt Sally and escaped slaves, he finds refuge in a swamp where a community of runaways, led by Moses Washington, tends to his wounds.
Following the Siege of Vicksburg, more Confederate soldiers desert and join Newton in the swamps. He is elected as their leader, organizing a rebellion against the Confederacy. The group, composed of deserters, runaway slaves, and local farmers, successfully establishes the “Free State of Jones,” raiding Confederate supplies and holding a portion of southeast Mississippi. Despite little support from the Union, Newton’s leadership and strategic use of the terrain allow them to resist until the Confederacy collapses in 1865.
After the war, Newton continues to fight for racial equality. He helps free Moses’ son from forced apprenticeship and stands against voter suppression. Despite facing personal and societal challenges, he maintains a relationship with Rachel and ensures she has land to farm, though they cannot legally marry. The story highlights Newton’s defiance against injustice and his efforts to create a more equitable society.
Cast director: Gary Ross
Cast actor: Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell, Jacob Lofland, Sean Bridgers, Brad Carter, Jane McNeill, Gary Grubbs, Christopher Berry
Original name: Free State of Jones