Review: ‘Free State of Jones’ tells a fascinating true story from the American Civil War

Posted on July 1, 2016

By MARK VIOLA

One hundred and 51 years after the end of the American Civil War, there are still plenty of high emotions surrounding the conflict, especially here in the south. So any movie set during the war is sure to spark some controversy and I’m sure the latest such film, “Free State of Jones,” will be no exception.

That being said, I found it to be a very interesting and engaging historical drama, filled with strong performances and telling a story I personally was not familiar with prior to seeing the first trailer.

That story revolves around Newt Knight (Matthew McConaughey, “Interstellar”), a poor white farmer in Mississippi who is conscripted into the Confederate Army, spending his days as a nurse, transporting wounded men from the battlefields to the medical tents. Between the carnage he is seeing on a daily basis and the belief that he is fighting for a cause that is not his own, he is ready to desert, a decision made easier following a personal tragedy.

He is forced to go into hiding in the swamps near his home and meets up with a group of runaway slaves, including a man named Moses (Mahershala Ali, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay”), who is looking for his family. As the war drags on, more and more men desert the Confederacy and end up in the swamps, eventually forming a quasi-army of their own. They are not for the Confederacy, but they are also not for the union. They just want to be closer to their families, who are facing increasing demands from the Confederate tax agents, spurring this army to rebel against the rebellion, leading to the creation of the Free State of Jones.

“Free State of Jones” is a very interesting movie telling the true story of a historical figure I had no idea even existed. It is not your typical summer film, but if you’re looking for a bit more serious fare, this is definitely one to consider.

The film is rated R for brutal battle scenes and disturbing graphic images.

(This is a abbreviated version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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