Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) is a powerful courtroom drama directed by Rob Reiner, based on the true story of the 1963 assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers and the decades-long fight to bring his killer to justice. It’s a movie that examines the weight of history, the persistence of racism, and the pursuit of justice long delayed.
Detailed Summary
The Assassination of Medgar Evers
The film begins with the murder of Medgar Evers (James Pickens Jr.), a civil rights activist in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 12, 1963. Evers is shot in the back by Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods), a white supremacist and member of the Ku Klux Klan. His wife Myrlie Evers (Whoopi Goldberg) and their children witness the horrific aftermath.
Despite overwhelming evidence, two trials in the 1960s result in hung juries—all-white juries—allowing Beckwith to go free. The injustice becomes a symbol of systemic racism in the South during the civil rights era.
The Case Reopens
Three decades later, in the 1990s, Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin), an assistant district attorney in Jackson, becomes intrigued by the case after Myrlie Evers urges officials to re-examine it. Despite initial skepticism and political pressure to leave the past buried, Bobby feels compelled to reopen the investigation.
He faces opposition not only from the community but also from colleagues and his wife, Dixie (Virginia Madsen), who fears the case will destroy their family. Nevertheless, Bobby’s sense of moral duty pushes him to continue.
The Evidence and the Struggle
Bobby and his team dig into old evidence and uncover new witnesses who are finally willing to speak. They also find previously undisclosed statements and recordings that strengthen the case against Beckwith. The prosecution faces the challenge of convincing a jury that an old man who’s lived freely for thirty years should now be punished for his crime.
Meanwhile, Beckwith continues to show no remorse, maintaining his racist ideology openly and arrogantly, providing some of the film’s most chilling moments.
Movie Ending
The climax centers on the 1994 retrial of Byron De La Beckwith, which becomes a landmark case in civil rights history. The courtroom scenes are tense and emotional. Bobby DeLaughter delivers a stirring closing argument emphasizing that justice delayed must not mean justice denied. He argues that while decades have passed, murder has no expiration date.
The jury deliberates, and finally, after thirty years, Beckwith is found guilty of the murder of Medgar Evers. The courtroom erupts with emotion—Myrlie Evers sheds tears of relief and vindication, while DeLaughter experiences the satisfaction of seeing justice done, though at great personal cost. Beckwith is sentenced to life in prison.
The final scenes show Myrlie Evers visiting her husband’s grave, thanking him for inspiring her to continue the fight for justice. The film closes with text revealing that Beckwith died in prison in 2001 and that the verdict was seen as a major milestone in America’s confrontation with its civil rights past.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Ghosts of Mississippi does not have a post-credits scene. The film ends with the emotional resolution of Beckwith’s conviction and closing text about the real people involved.
Type of Movie
The film is a historical courtroom drama and biographical crime film, exploring racism, justice, and moral courage. It’s part true-crime narrative, part social commentary.
Cast
- Alec Baldwin as Bobby DeLaughter
- Whoopi Goldberg as Myrlie Evers
- James Woods as Byron De La Beckwith
- Virginia Madsen as Dixie DeLaughter
- Craig T. Nelson as Ed Peters
- William H. Macy as Charlie Crisco
- Bill Cobbs as Charles Evers
James Woods’ chilling performance as Beckwith earned him significant critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination.
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Marc Shaiman, known for balancing emotional subtlety with grandeur. The music underscores both the personal pain of the Evers family and the moral urgency of the courtroom sequences.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Jackson, Mississippi, and Oxford, Mississippi. These authentic Southern locations lend the film a sense of realism, grounding its narrative in the very landscape where these historical events unfolded. Filming in Mississippi allowed the filmmakers to capture the tension between progress and the lingering shadows of segregation.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Awards (1997) – Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (James Woods)
- NAACP Image Awards – Nominated for Outstanding Motion Picture
- Screen Actors Guild Awards – Nomination for James Woods
While it didn’t sweep awards, the film was widely praised for its performances and historical significance.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Rob Reiner worked closely with Myrlie Evers to ensure historical accuracy.
- Alec Baldwin met with the real Bobby DeLaughter to understand his motivations and mannerisms.
- Many scenes were filmed in actual Mississippi courtrooms used in the real trials.
- James Woods reportedly stayed in character between takes to maintain Beckwith’s unsettling energy.
- Whoopi Goldberg said she took the role because of her deep admiration for Myrlie Evers’ courage and perseverance.
Inspirations and References
The film is directly inspired by the true story of Medgar Evers’ murder and the 30-year battle for justice led by his widow, Myrlie Evers. It’s based on historical records, interviews, and transcripts from the real 1994 trial.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no known alternate endings, but early drafts of the script included more scenes about Bobby DeLaughter’s personal life. These were trimmed to keep the film focused on the case itself. A few flashbacks to the 1960s were shortened for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not based on a single book, the film draws from multiple accounts of the Medgar Evers case, including “Never Too Late: A Prosecutor’s Story of Justice in the Medgar Evers Case” by Bobby DeLaughter himself. The film stays largely true to the historical record but dramatizes some courtroom dialogue for cinematic effect.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening assassination scene, setting the tone of injustice and loss.
- Myrlie Evers meeting Bobby DeLaughter and challenging him to take the case.
- Beckwith’s eerie interviews, filled with hate and delusion.
- Bobby’s passionate closing argument in court.
- The verdict scene, with Myrlie’s tears of vindication.
Iconic Quotes
- Myrlie Evers: “I will not rest until justice is done for my husband.”
- Bobby DeLaughter: “The ghosts of Mississippi will haunt us until we face the truth.”
- Beckwith: “I did what I had to do for my race.” (chillingly delivered by Woods)
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- A photo of the real Medgar and Myrlie Evers appears briefly in Myrlie’s home.
- The courthouse flag is shown at half-mast in one scene—a subtle nod to the ongoing mourning for justice delayed.
- Rob Reiner’s cameo: he briefly appears as a man leaving the courtroom.
Trivia
- The real Bobby DeLaughter later became a judge in Mississippi.
- The film’s courtroom scenes were shot in the same courthouse where the real 1994 trial took place.
- James Woods’ performance was considered so convincing that some audience members reportedly booed him during early screenings.
- The production consulted historians and journalists who covered the original case.
Why Watch?
Ghosts of Mississippi is more than a courtroom movie—it’s a story about moral courage and perseverance in the face of systemic racism. It’s for those who appreciate true crime dramas, historical justice stories, and films that explore how individuals can make a difference against entrenched injustice.
Director’s Other Movies
- A Few Good Men (1992)
- When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
- The American President (1995)
- Misery (1990)
- Stand by Me (1986)
