Ghosts of Mississippi

Starring:Alec Baldwin, James Woods, Virginia Madsen, Whoopi Goldberg, Susanna Thompson, Craig T. Nelson, Lucas Black (II), Joseph Tello, Alexa Vega, William H. Macy, Ben Bennett (II), Darrell Evers, Yolanda King, Jerry Levine, James Van Evers, Sky Rumph, Zoaunne LeRoy, Michael O'Keefe, Bill Smitrovich, Terry O'Quinn
Director: Rob Reiner
Studio: Turner Home Ent
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Rob Reiner, who used to be more interested in personal style as a filmmaker, continues to duck behind bland movies about important ideas with this based-on-fact film about the embattled white prosecutor (Alec Baldwin) who brought racist killer Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) to justice after 30 years of failed attempts. Charged with the murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Beckwith slimes up the film pretty well via Woods's somewhat showy performance, while Baldwin generously assumes the usual clichés surrounding reluctant heroes. Whoopi Goldberg is at her most stately as Evers's widow. The whole self-important production is dogged by the obvious thought that it might have played better (and to far more people than it did in theaters) on television. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Final closure to an important chapter in civil rights history.......2007-05-11

`Ghosts of Mississippi' is the story based on factual events of the final trial of the man who murdered civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963. He was tried twice before but both times the case ended in hung juries. It is also a portrait of enduring patience in the fact that his widow, Myrlie Evers, had to wait 30 years for final justice, all the while knowing that her husband`s assassin remained a free man.

I can't honestly think of too many movies where I have seen Alec Baldwin and Whoopi Goldberg give such impressive acting performances as compared to their work here. They both fit their roles perfectly and it shows. On the other end of the spectrum, James Woods, who also did an outstanding job, is so into his character that it is almost spooky. The way he behaves and delivers his lines just gives the impression that you're looking at total hate and evil personified in a man.

To compliment the acting, the movie moves along at a nice pace and portrays the difficulties of preparing a case that is 3 decades old along with the still unresolved issues of racism still evident in the Mississippi climate. As for the trial itself, this is also a tense atmosphere that adds realism and intrigue to the movie. If I had to make a comparison, and this being based on similar types of events, I would have to say that this film ranks up there with `Mississippi Burning' which is also an excellent movie in its own right.

`Ghosts of Mississippi' is a fine example of solid acting and directing coupled with a strong, thought provoking story. This film is very enjoyable all the way through and I recommend it to everyone.

Justice After All These Years.......2007-02-16

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen, as it has just about everything in it to tug at your heart strings. A very serious movie, which also has a few great humorous moments too. The casting is just about perfect. Every character was very believable. Whoopi Goldberg wouldn't have been my choice to play Merlie Evers, but she did a pretty decent job in the role. I think the movie might have been better with an unknown in the part. Still, I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than Whoopi did. This is an important movie that helps keep alive the memory of the all but forgotten Medger Evers. I have watched this movie 3 or 4 times and I never get tired of it. James Woods is absolutely superb as the militant racist. Alec Baldwin does a great job. All the supporting actors and actresses are believable and do a great job as well. Racists probably won't like this movie, but those of us who have a sense of justice will cheer the fact that a murder conviction against a white man for murdering a black man finally occurred after what was way too long a time. Justice sometimes takes a while. Based on true events, which makes it even more compelling. The movie sustains a continued level of suspense throughout and keeps you interested all the way through. This movie is also more suitable for a younger audience than two other very good movies with similar themes, A Time to Die and Mississippi Burning, which are more graphic and perhaps more troubling to younger audiences.

A must own for you fans of Woopi's.......2007-01-10

this movie is great and its good, I would say in all that this movie is a must too buy, if you are a fan like I am of Woopi's then you must buy this movie. grab this before they are all gone and wont be back in stock for awhile. great movie all thumbs and fingers up, way too go Whoopi... I own this movie as well ans about 15 other movie that Woopi is in go and buy this movie for you dvd collection. tks

Ashes bellow the tapestry! .......2006-11-23

From time the opened veins of the social body are shown with all its awful and merciless reality, some ghosts of the past. A lawyer decides top reopen a case after thirty years. Straightforward movie that possibly falls in the climax punch to make it soar. The earnestness and sobriety of the great filmmakers of the past is evident, although the cast all the best they can to carry on a secure port.

History portrayed responsibly........2006-08-08

Medgar Evers was a key person in the civil rights movement. Though as I remember it, we were not taught much about him during Black History Month.

I remember reading how he encouraged a reporter doing a story on him to focus on the Emmet Till story, because it was an example of the type of justice Black people received in Mississippi. So he was instrumental helping to shine a national spotlight on racism and the resulting violence against Black people including lynching.

His murder cut short his important work as civil rights leader at a time when he was needed most. The movie centers on the journey of his widow to gain justice for him, 30 years after his murder by Byron De La Beckwith. De La Beckwith was played chillingly by James Woods who gave an oscar worthy performance.

The movie from all the news accounts I read while following the case sticks close to what really happened. The performances were excellent especially Whoppi Goldberg and Alex Baldwin.

Baldwin's character is in some ways a metaphor for mainstream americans who, despite trying, are still unable to grasp that the Civil Rights movement was about much more than being able to eat in a white resturant.

I watched this with my mother, on DVD, and when Baldwin's character explains to his children why Evers fought for equality so "Black people could eat in the same reasturants" my mother said to the screen- " We fought to save our children from suffering the unjust fate of Emmet Till."

Baldwin convincingly portrays a person who because of his involvement with this case is forced to confront the overt racism he has always ignored in his family and in himself.

Goldberg portrays the manerisms of Myrlie Evers so perfectly, I had an opportunity to attend a speech she gave, and only then could I fully appreciate the subtle nuances of Goldberg's performance, which was also oscar worthy.

My only real critique was the casting of Yolanda King as Myrlie Evers' daughter. You just don't believe that Yolanda King and Whoppi Goldberg are mother and daughter. Yolanda King looks older than her in every scene. The director either did not try, or could not compensate using makeup, camera angles or digital effects.

I have not seen Yolanda King in anything else but next to Whoppi Goldberg she seems like a bad actress. It is not too bad for the film because she does not have many scenes.

I know from interviews including one he gave with Myrlie Evers on Oprah that for Rob Reiner this film was a labor of love, and this probaly influenced his decision to cast Yolanda King in this part. Many other young actresses could have done justice to this part and been believeable as Whoppi Goldberg's daughter Kimberly Elise comes to mind.

But this one mistake does not take away from the overall amazing quality of this movie - it is a must see.

Charlie Rose with Whoopi Goldberg (December 30, 1996)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Whoopi Goldberg (December 30, 1996)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Charlie speaks for the hour with Academy Award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg. She discusses African Americans in entertainment, the history of Civil Rights, and her latest film, Ghosts of Mississippi. In the film Goldberg portrays Myrlie Evers, the widow of slain Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers.

Charlie Rose with Rob Reiner; Myrlie Evers- Williams & Bobby DeLaughter; James Woods (December 24, 1996)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Rob Reiner; Myrlie Evers- Williams & Bobby DeLaughter; James Woods (December 24, 1996)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, an interview with director Rob Reiner, about his new film Ghosts of Mississippi. The director also speaks about the responsibility of a director to historical reality in film. Then, a dialogue with Myrlie Evers-Williams NAACP Chairman, and widow of Medgar Evans, and ADA of Jackson Mississippi Bobby DeLaughter, the prosecutor who convicted the killer, both of whom are portrayed in the movie. Finally, an interview with James Woods on his role in the film as the killer of Medgar Evers, Byron de la Beckwith.

Charlie Rose with Randall Robinson; Willie Morris (February 16, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Randall Robinson; Willie Morris (February 16, 1998)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First Charlie speaks with Randall Robinson, the founder and president of TransAfrica, the organization that has been involved in talking about and shaping American foreign policy in Africa and the Caribbean. Robinson, who was born and raised in the segregated South, talks about his new memoir, Defending the Spirit, and race in America Then, author Willie Morris, whose coverage of the third and last trial of Byron De La Beckwith, led to the 1997 film version, Ghosts of Mississippi, talks about his new book, The Ghosts of Medgar Evers, about his experiences as a consultant and the film, The Ghosts of Mississippi.

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