Ghosts of Mississippi

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Ghosts of Mississippi

PG-13

1996

2h 10m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In this film based on actual events, black activist Medgar Evers is murdered in 1963, and much of the evidence points toward white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. However, after two trials, De La Beckwith is acquitted twice by a jury of whites. Now, decades later in 1989, Evers' widow, Myrlie, thinks she has evidence to finally convict him. But no lawyer will touch the case except the young and brash Bobby DeLaughter.

Critics Consensus

James Woods is convincing as a white supremacist, but everything else rings false in Ghosts of Mississippi, which examines a weighty subject from the least interesting perspective.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

12/05/2018

I've grown increasingly restive at such films as Mississippi Burning, A Time to Kill, and Ghosts of Mississippi... All three films celebrate the heroism of white law officers in prosecuting racist killers.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

08/20/2004

3/5

Strong performances but just another movie about civil rights issues that pays too much attention to the white characters.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

2.5/4

It closes a chapter in history, but scarcely brings it to life.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Apr 10

C

It succeeds as a detective story and moral fable, but the courtroom scenes lack bite and the domestic matters are pure made-for-TV movie.

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Jose Solís

Common Sense Media

Feb 10

3/5

This is a film that behaves almost too well. Ghosts of Mississippi is restrained and thoughtful to the point that it feels more like a civics lesson than a movie; it's carefully staged and respectfully mounted but rarely alive.

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Feb 9

1.5/4

Director Rob Reiner may have gotten most of the facts right, but his film seems as phony as his actors' Southern accents.

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Phil D.

@phildub Mar 24

Wonderful writing & direction. Enjoyed the cast. This was a real throw back. Not sure if I’d seen it before, but it was so good I didn’t care.

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Luis V.

@luismiguel Mar 10

Excelente producción basada en hechos reales. Muy buenas actuación de Whoopi Goldberg. Estas películas se deben ver nuevamente en cada década para no olvidar los errores cometidos por la humanidad y recordar que aunque tarde lo importante es hacer justicia. 100% recomendada.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Mar 7

Ghosts of Mississippi is a powerful and emotionally gripping historical drama that confronts racism, injustice, and the long fight for accountability in America. The film explores a difficult chapter of history while showing how determined individuals refused to let the truth remain buried. It delivers a story that feels intense and meaningful, often hitting the audience with the emotional weight of its subject matter. Whoopi Goldberg gives a strong and captivating performance that helps anchor the film’s emotional core. Her presence brings sincerity and focus to the story, making the moments she appears in feel impactful and grounded. Alec Baldwin also delivers a solid performance, adding credibility and intensity to the legal battle unfolding on screen. With a well written screenplay and steady direction, the film tells its story with purpose and seriousness. Overall, it stands as a compelling and important drama that remains engaging and thought provoking from beginning to end.

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Feb 19

An outstanding true story about racism and justice in the deep south directed by the late Rob Reiner. I've seen this at least three times.

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Trenaway E

@Trenaway Feb 4

Do not listen to the idiot critics, who are racist themselves! This is a good movie, and a great story where justice was served in racist Mississippi! James Woods plays the KKK, white racist evil..., and it turns out he really is all of such, as an American hating MAGA cultist!

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Matthew G.

@MattGal75 Feb 4

It’s a great film. Underappreciated. Alec Baldwin,Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods all perform incredibly. Even the supporting actress gives the film so much depth.

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Rob Reiner

Director

Alec Baldwin

Bobby DeLaughter, Assistant D.A. Hinds Co. Mississippi

Whoopi Goldberg

Myrlie Evers

James Woods

Byron De La Beckwith

Craig T. Nelson

Ed Peters, District Attorney Hinds Co. Mississippi

Susanna Thompson

Peggy Lloyd

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Synopsis

In this film based on actual events, black activist Medgar Evers is murdered in 1963, and much of the evidence points toward white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. However, after two trials, De La Beckwith is acquitted twice by a jury of whites. Now, decades later in 1989, Evers' widow, Myrlie, thinks she has evidence to finally convict him. But no lawyer will touch the case except the young and brash Bobby DeLaughter.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Frederick Zollo, Andrew Scheinman, Rob Reiner, Nicholas Paleologos
Screenwriter: Lewis Colick
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround