Shopaholic35 Ghosts of Mississippi is an emotional movie that shows how hateful the human soul can be. It may be quite similar to Mississippi Burning but they both have their place. Ghosts of Mississippi is slightly more political and less violent. It focuses on the fight for justice and the roadblocks faced in controversial high-profile cases.The sheer effort that was involved to develop a level of tolerance in the South is despicable. Every time I watch a movie where racism is so prevalent it simultaneously boils my blood and breaks my heart. The acting is very good and makes you feel like you are living the story. James Woods does such a good job that you can't help but despise him. Especially since he is portraying a real person and not a two dimensional character.Don't underestimate the emotional connection you will have to this movie. It will move you and is certainly worth your time.

thunderclancat Ghosts of Mississippi tells the story of the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers by Klansman Byron de la Beckwith, and the much-delayed trial of the assassin. Alec Baldwin plays the Prosecutor determined to bring De la Beckwith to justice, and does a serviceable job as does Whoopi Goldberg as Evers' widow. James Woods gives an at-times over-the-top performance as the killer. Unfortunately the story gets bogged down in stories about the Prosecutor's home life, and the decision to bring in Southern Poverty Law Center leader Morris Dees, who completely hams up his time in the film. This is a film that fails it's subject. By trying to make the subject matter less complex and less scary the filmmakers ruined what could have been a very powerful and moving film. It does have a good soundtrack, though, so there's that.

Chrysanthepop Rob Reiner's 'Ghosts of Mississipi' is based on a relatively less known (today) reopening of Medger Evers racially motivated murder case. Starting with the flaws of the film, I can see why many would comment that this is another 'white man rescues the oppressed black people flick'. To balance this out, the director could have portrayed more of Evers's life and the significance of what he did and also developed the story of his wife who's an integral part, show more of her (and the family's) struggle. Here the focus is almost entirely on Baldwin's DeLaughter and the obstacles he faces during the trial. The film also appears to be a tad glossy.What does work, even though the story is predictable, is the level of suspense and tension which is very well maintained. You know what'll happen in the end but you still root for Delaughter to succeed every step. Alec Baldwin does a brilliant job as the lawyer who's taken by the injustice and brutality of the crime and seeks to bring justice to the family and community. Whoopi Goldberg wonderfully downplays her part. 'Wish there was more of her. Her character doesn't seem to have 'aged' in 27 years (except for the darker circles round her eyes). James Wood is great as the hateful De la Beckwith.'Ghosts of Mississipi' could have been more if only more of the late Medgar and his wife's life was included but it certainly is a watchable film that reminds one of a forgotten important event in America.

krorie Medgar Evers' tragic murder in Jackson, Mississippi, was overshadowed by the cold-blooded killing of three civil rights workers near Philadelphia, Mississippi, a year later. So too this film has been overshadowed by an earlier movie, "Mississippi Burning," about the Philadelphia homicides. I was even confused by the similar titles and accidentally rented "Ghosts of Mississippi," thinking it to be the earlier film. This is too bad because "Ghosts of Mississippi" is a winner all the way and Medgar Evers' assassination was as significant, if not more so, than the later dastardly acts of hate and malevolence.Most of my generation remember one of Dylan's early recordings he wrote called "Pawn in the Game" about the Medgar Evers murder in which Dylan asserts that the coward who pulled the trigger and shot the civil rights leader in the back in front of his wife and three children was carrying out what the racist elements in Mississippi and in the nation as a whole had brainwashed the simple mind into executing. That the endemic racism in American was the real perpetrator of the heinous deed which deprived our society of one of its gifted leaders. "Ghosts of Mississippi" concentrates more on the scumbag who squeezed the trigger, played with élan by James Woods, almost a carbon copy of the killer in both speech, mannerisms, and looks.James Woods is a member of a strong cast led by Whoopi Goldberg as the widow, Myrlie Evers, spending her life seeking a degree of justice for her husband and children. William H. Macy adds much needed humor in the role of Charlie Crisco, a member of the prosecution team. Unfortunately, his part is mainly limited to the middle section of the movie. Why director Rob Reiner and writer Lewis Colick decided to turn Macy's character into a cameo during the latter part of the film is unclear.A subplot in the film is the growing involvement of prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) in the case, opening his eyes not only to the past evils of the society in which he lives but also hostile residue left by the civil rights movement in the state. Married to the daughter of one of Mississippi's most racist judges causes him to be blind to much of the injustice prevalent around him. Significantly, his wife is named Dixie (Virginia Madsen). The change that takes place in his character (which also involves a change in wives) as he is drawn deeper into the thirty-year-old case is pinpointed by his inability to continue to sing "Dixie" to his daughter to chase away the ghosts she sees at night. In explaining to her that the song might actually be encouraging the ghosts to reappear in her bedroom, the two opt for "Old McDonald" as a more suitable goodnight song.