Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)

Director:

Rob Reiner

Writer (WGA):

Lewis Colick (written by)

Release Date:

20 December 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In 1963 civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered in his own driveway. For 30 years his assassin has remained free. Is it ever too late to do the right thing?

Plot:

The widow of murdered civil rights leader Medger Evers and a district attorney struggle to finally bring the murderer to justice.

Plot Keywords:

Civil Rights | Courtroom | Law | Race Relations | Racial

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Alec Baldwin	...	Bobby DeLaughter
James Woods	...	Byron De La Beckwith
Virginia Madsen	...	Dixie DeLaughter
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Myrlie Evers
Susanna Thompson	...	Peggy Lloyd
Craig T. Nelson	...	Ed Peters
Lucas Black	...	Burt DeLaughter
Joseph Tello	...	Drew DeLaughter
Alexa Vega	...	Claire DeLaughter
William H. Macy	...	Charlie Crisco
Ben Bennett	...	Benny Bennett (as Lloyd 'Benny' Bennett)
Darrell Evers	...	Himself
Yolanda King	...	Reena Evers
Jerry Levine	...	Jerry Mitchell
James Van Evers	...	Van Evers

Also Known As:

Ghosts from the Past (UK)

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34924) | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A | Germany:12 (w) | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Jackson, Mississippi, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

Medgar Evers' two sons Darrell and James Van Evers played themselves in this film. His widow Myrlie Evers was also one of this film's consultants.

Goofs:

Continuity: Although the film begins in 1989 and ends in 1994, the same child actors portraying Bobby DeLaughter's children are used from the beginning of the movie until the end, showing no signs of aging.

Quotes:

[Addressing the jury in summation]
Bobby DeLaughter: Today, thirty years later, I'm asking you twelve ladies and gentlemen to act boldly; to hold this defendant accountable and find him guilty... simply because it is right, it is just, and Lord knows, it is time. Is it ever too late to do the right thing?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Ballad Of Medgar Evers

respectful, well-made historical drama

In the 1960's Medgar Evers is gunned down in front of his home. Roughly thirty years later ambitious attorney Baldwin befriends widow Goldberg and reopens the case to bring aged murderer Woods to justice. Talky drama isn't raw enough or energetic enough to interest all viewers, but still maintains solidity with compelling performances from it's leads. 3/4