Watch Ghosts of Mississippi

The movie Ghosts of Mississippi from 1996 is a historical drama based on the real-life events surrounding the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi. The film portrays the struggles of Evers' widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, to seek justice for her husband's murder 30 years after the fact. The movie opens with the assassination of Medgar Evers by a white supremacist named Byron De La Beckwith. The killer is immediately apprehended and put on trial, but a white jury refuses to convict him, and he walks free. The story then fast forwards to 1990, when a new trial is brought to life to ensure that Beckwith finally faces justice.

The film follows the story of Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin), an ambitious prosecutor who takes up the case based on the encouragement of Myrlie Evers-Williams (Whoopi Goldberg). DeLaughter is initially hesitant to take on the case as it happened 27 years ago, and he is not sure if he can build a solid case against Beckwith.

As DeLaughter starts the investigation, he faces various obstacles from the white population, who still hold racist views and do not want to acknowledge the racism that Evers faced on a daily basis. He also receives threats from white supremacists, who warn him to drop the case.

As DeLaughter gets deeper into the case, he discovers new evidence and tracks down several key witnesses, which strengthens the case against Beckwith. Meanwhile, Beckwith, who has become a recluse, starts to get paranoid and believes he is being followed.

The character of Beckwith is portrayed by James Woods, who delivers a chilling performance as the unrepentant racist killer. He shows no remorse for his actions and is fueled by his hatred for African Americans.

The movie also shows the emotional toll that the case has on Myrlie Evers-Williams and her family. She is haunted by the memories of the assassination and the fear that her husband's killer will never be brought to justice. Goldberg delivers one of the most emotional and powerful performances of her career, as she plays a woman who has lost so much but refuses to give up on her fight for justice.

The film's director, Rob Reiner, does an excellent job of bringing together a talented cast to tell a powerful story. The film's production values, from the set design to the costumes and cinematography, all contribute to creating a believable and immersive experience of the 1960s and 1990s.

Ghosts of Mississippi is a movie that highlights the struggle for justice and equality that still persists today. The film's message is clear: the fight for civil rights is never over, and we must continue to strive towards a more just and equal society for everyone. The movie succeeds in balancing entertainment value with an important political message, and it is a must-watch for anyone interested in history or social justice.

Ghosts of Mississippi is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.