Free State of Jones (film)
| Free State of Jones | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gary Ross |
| Screenplay by | Gary Ross |
| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Benoît Delhomme |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Nicholas Britell |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | STX Entertainment |
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Running time | 140 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $50 million |
| Box office | $25 million |
Free State of Jones is a 2016 American historical war film inspired by the life of Southern Unionist Newton Knight, who led a successful armed revolt against the Confederacy in Jones County, Mississippi, throughout the American Civil War. Written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross based on a story by Ross and Leonard Hartman, the film stars Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The story is based on the history of Jones County, Mississippi, during the Civil War and the period immediately after it. The overall story follows the history of Jones County; some of the events portrayed are true. The film is credited as being "based on the books The Free State of Jones by Victoria E. Bynum and The State of Jones by Sally Jenkins and John Stauffer."
It was released in the United States by STXfilms on June 24, 2016. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $25 million against its $50 million production budget.