Review of Free State of Jones (2016) by Jessica K — 27 Oct 2016

McConaughey gives a powerful performance as Newton Knight in this dramatic retelling of a mainly true story albeit one which puts his motives in the best light. Alarming scenes of slaughter contrast with the relative calm of life in the swamp, where Knight's leadership is put to the test.

The film makes a searing indictment of continuing racism in the south, cutting to and fro to a court case regarding supposed interracial marriage by a descendant of Knight (but by which wife?) in mid last century.