"Free State of Jones movie" Topic

Saw the trailer during the NFL playoffs today. Looks like it might be a good movie – and made aware of something I didn't know much about. I plan to check it out.

Yes, it does look good. My nephew was an extra in the movie and enjoyed working on it.

Based on the book "The State of Jones" by Sally Jenkins and John Stauffer, published by Doubleday.

Great book and I have been told by someone who worked on the movie, a good film as well.

I don't like the fictitious "son gets killed-so this is his response alà The Patriot" bit. Why not show the real reasons he thought the war was BS and why he deserted? I guess movie-goers are just too simple-minded to deal with any complexity beyond revenge.

Well, Jericho, it is a movie, not history – and reading up very casually and superficially, seems the history itself is not entirely clear. It just looks like a good movie – and a 'historical' one, those can be pretty thin on the ground, or the screen.

I'm a sucker for ACW films so I'll likely go see this, even with reservations.

Why do current trailers show you pretty much the entire plot? I suspect the actual fighters of the State of Jones were scarce when rebel troops showed up in company strength or higher but in evidence when small patrols, tax collectors or conscription agents were about.

I think a very similar topic was covered with more accuracy in Cold Mountain. I'm surprised that Quentin Tarentino and/or Mel Gibson wasn't involved. That said, I'm a sucker for costume drama set in this period and will likely go see it.

One of the pluses is that is was filmed on locations in Jones County, Mississippi, including at one or more of the actual houses which still exist.

Jim

At Least we won't have to put up that Lost Cause dreck that has been in, and ruined, so many recent Civil War offerings.

Yeah, this story is the exact opposite of lost cause nonsense and represents the some 30% of southerners who thought the whole cause was pure idiotic. This county in Miss was dragged kicking and screaming into the war. Eventually, they had their fill and revolted from the confederacy. I'm surprised about Hollywood feeling they needed any adds to the story. Sgt Newton Knight's rebellion and guerrilla war is fascinating on it's own. He was a man even the Klan feared and was far ahead of his time with his thoughts on race. Jericho, he would differ on his defection being a desertion. When he was surrendered at Vicksburg he signed a oath not to fight for the Confederacy. He felt the Confederates were breaking honor by trying to call him back.

To be honest at first glance I thought it was another "Southerner with a heart of gold" story trying to show how the ACW WASN'T all about slavery until I did a little research on it. Now I am mightily intrigued and am looking forward to seeing the film. I learned something from a Hollywood movie-- go figure! 8)=

When he was surrendered at Vicksburg he signed a[n] oath not to fight for the Confederacy. He felt the Confederates were breaking honor by trying to call him back.

While all of the Confederate soldiers took that oath, it was caveated with "until properly exchanged." Almost all were exchanged within a few months and were expected to rejoin their units in the camps in and around Selma, Demopolis, and Enterprise, Alabama. Most did and were then sent to the Army of Tennessee around Atlanta. Of the ones who didn't rejoin their units, some were discouraged and tired, some were still suffering from wounds and sickness, and some just didn't hear about the conclusion of the exchanges.

I think my great-grandfather was one of the latter although he had been in hospital when Vicksburg capitulated so he could have still been suffering from wounds/illness. Then again he could have been one who was tired and discouraged about the war. In whichever category he was, I'm glad he missed the bloodbaths at Franklin and Nashville or I might not have been here today.

Jim

Alabama had its own version. The Free State of Winston.