Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) User Reviews

The Last Mile Of The Way

[krorie · 8/10 · 4 September 2006]

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.

Solid ghosts

[paul2001sw-1 · 8/10 · 17 July 2003]

Glossy but highly effective thriller based on the true story of an attempt to bring a racially motivated killer to trial. The film suffers from a certain liberal obviousness: brave, charming white man (who loves his kids) and dignified black widow fight side by side for justice; but it's always compelling, and pertinent too. No magic, then, but a strong story: one of director Rob Reiner's better efforts.

We never get even for the wrong we done.

[lastliberal-853-253708 · 7/10 · 25 May 2014]

It may not be the best film about race relations in the South. Mississippi Burning and A Time To Kill have more intensity, but it is still compelling and worth watching for some great performances.

Alec Balwin (Bobby DeLaughter) turned in a fine performance. Personally, I feel it is the best he has ever done.

James Woods was perfect as Byron De La Beckwith. He channeled the venomous hatred and cocky arrogance so familiar in those who were consumed with their self-worth, gained by stomping on others. This performance resulted in an Oscar nomination in a year with many fine performances.

Dixie DeLaughter, played by Virginia Madsen, shows how ingrained racism is in the South, and how difficult, if not impossible, it is for a marriage to survive with a disparity in views, whether it be race or politics.

I also enjoyed seeing Wayne Rogers as Morris Dees, even if it was a small role.

This is an important film that should be seen by all who care about the state of race relations in this country.

It should also be see by all young people so they can see a sign at a gas station saying 22 cents a gallon. Those were the days.

Ghosts of Mississippi

[Coxer99 · 25 August 1999]

Impressive drama about the assassination of 1960's civil rights leader Medger Evers, which was fought in courts for 30 years until it was re-opened in the 1990's with Mississippi D.A. Bobby DeLaughter (Baldwin) leading the charge to bring assassin Byron De Lay Beckwith (Woods, in a juicy Oscar nominated role) to justice. Goldberg is especially standout as Ever's widow who fought for the truth for over 30 years. Rob Reiner's film may run a little long for some, but the excellent cast and realistic story will keep you glued until the end.

The journey to seek justice from a time of utter hatred.

[Shopaholic35 · 7/10 · 9 August 2014]

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.

only Rob Reiner could do this

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 30 April 2006]

I don't know whether "Ghosts of Mississippi" was the best movie ever relating to the Civil Rights Movement, but it is quite good. Portraying the struggle to bring Medgar Evers's murderer to justice many years after the murder, the movie will remain important, just because of our country's racist legacy (I had actually never heard of Medgar Evers before this movie came out). Alec Baldwin, James Woods, Virginia Madsen, Whoopi Goldberg, Craig T. Nelson and William H. Macy all do very well in their roles (Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Yolanda also appears).

So, while some people may say that there are so many movies like this that they all get blurred, we need to remember something: this is part of OUR history. As Americans, we have an obligation to deal with our racist past. And we should commend Rob Reiner for making one of many movies about this.

This is an above average courtroom drama with some good depictions of the time, but not a masterpiece

[kevin_robbins · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) is a movie I recently watched on HBOMAX and tells the tale of a white supremacist in Mississippi who one day grabs a rifle, drives down the street, gets out of his car for all to see, and shoots a black man in front of his wife and kids. He is found not guilt and released. An aspiring lawyer decides to pick up the case almost 30 years later and press for retrial. At that time, no white man had ever been found guilty of murder against a black man and the lawyer hopes to change that trend. This movie is directed by Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men) and stars Alec Baldwin (The Departed), James Woods (Vampires), Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple), Virginia Madsen (Candyman), Lucas Black (Friday Night Lights) and William H. Macy (Shameless). The storyline for this is very powerful and portrays the intensity of the times very well. The acting is excellent and Baldwin shows a lot of conviction in this performance. The backdrops of the south and the depiction of the dialogue and perspectives are very well presented. Overall this is an above average courtroom drama with some good depictions of the time, but not a masterpiece. I would score this a 7/10 and recommend seeing it once.

Getting Justice for Medgar Evers

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 8 October 2020]

Mississippi has a history that most any human being with a heartbeat would lament and try to bury. They've become the poster child for racism and racial injustice--and for good reason. God only knows how much blood has been spilled on her dusty earth. Some of that blood belonged to Medgar Evers, an NAACP field secretary who was bravely working to enfranchise Black Mississippians. He was shot in the back with a high-powered rifle on June 12, 1963. Byron De La Beckwith would be charged with the murder, but two mistrials would see him walk out of court a free man.

"Ghosts of Mississippi" takes the viewer from that fateful night in 1963 to 1989 when the case would be reopened. Assistant DA Bobby DeLaughter (played by Alec Baldwin) would be in charge of looking into the old case and determining if there was enough evidence to retry the case. DeLaughter did more than could ever have been expected of a white ADA in Mississippi; he dug deep. He dug in deep and kept Myrlie Evers (played by Whoopi Goldberg), Medgar's wife, apprised of everything. He dug to the point his traditional dixie wife, Dixie (played by Virginia Madsen), left him. And he was determined to keep digging until Byron De La Beckwith (played by James Woods) saw the inside of a prison.

These types of movies are incredibly difficult to watch--movies such as "Mississippi Burning," "Rosewood," "A Time to Kill," and others. And what makes "Ghosts of Mississippi" even more heart wrenching is that it is 100% true. But watch I did even when my blood was boiling (indicating how good of a job James Woods did). "Ghosts of Mississippi" was a good movie and a necessary movie. But even more necessary was a step by good ol' Mississippi in the right direction towards some semblance of justice for Medgar Evers.

NASTY GHOSTS ARE ARROUND THE WORLD

[THE-BEACON-OF-MOVIES-RAFA · 8/10 · 30 January 2020]

Human ghosts are worst of all real ghosts , to bring them out we have to walk towards truth and justics for me 8/10

Average courtroom drama dealing with some real issues

[bellino-angelo2014 · 7/10 · 16 November 2022]

I was curious for years about GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI because of the subject and also its colorful cast. 8 months ago I finally saw it and while I found it below my expectations, I still kinda liked it.

It begins with white suprematists Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) that one night shoots black civil rights activist Medgar Evers in front of his wife and kids. Byron has been tried twice and twice found not guilty. Evers' widow Myrlie (Whoopie Goldberg) wants to bring Byron to justice and enlists the help of district attorney Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) and Bobby accepts not knowing that this would cause him some troubles including having his family targeted by the Ku Klux Klan. After lots of tribulations Bobby in 1994 will manage to make Byron sentenced to life imprisonment and Myrlie will rejoin the crowd outside the courthouse that supported her in her fight for justice.

The cast is full of various big names (Baldwin, Goldberg, Woods, William Macy, Bill Cobbs, Virginia Madsen, Craig T. Nelson, Lucas Black and Brock Peters) that give their best with the material given. I liked the idea for the plot because despite this is a movie from 1996 the subject is still relevant today. My problems are that at times the movie looked a bit too long and it could have benefited from some trimming, and the pace looked a bit dead in a few points. But as it is, it's a good movie but not a masterpiece.

Average Fare...

[namashi_1 · 5/10 · 2 March 2011]

Rob Reiner's 'Ghosts Of Mississippi' is a golden opportunity, gone wrong. Though based on a disturbing yet moving story, the on-screen interpretation doesn't hold you completely.

'Ghosts Of Mississippi' is based on the true story of the 1994 trial of Byron De La Beckwith, a white supremacist accused of the 1963 assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

Rob Reiner knows his job. He is a very talented storyteller, and his direction even in here is good. But, the writing has many loopholes. As mentioned, the true-story, doesn't get it's due. The writing in the first hour doesn't work and bores. Sure, the climax is dramatic & effective, but the damage is already done by then. John Seale's Cinematography is alright.

Peroformance-Wise: Alec Baldwin as Bobby DeLaughter does fairly well. James Woods is very impressive as the conniving Byron De La Beckwith, while Whoopi Goldberg as Myrlie Evers is fair. Virginia Madsen is wasted. William H. Macy and Craig T. Nelson are okay. Others lend able support.

On the whole, A golden opportunity gone wrong. At best, An Average Fare!

Spoilers

[dandroutsopoulos · 8/10 · 28 September 2018]

In this 1996 docudrama Rob Reiner takes the viewer on a wild roller coaster with the murder of Medgar Evers. Medgar Evers was a black civil rights activist who was assassinated outside of his home in Jackson, Mississippi. Thirty years later a lawyer by the name of Bobby Delaughter played by Alec Baldwin is asked to open up a case that has no leads towards the murderer but one culprit. This culprit is the one and only Bobby De La Beckwith, played by James Woods. Bobby De La Beckwith is a character of his own from being a bigot to bragging about killing a black man and getting away with it. On a scale from 1 star to five stars, I'd give this movie a five star rating due to the butterfly feeling this movie gave me. This film is a good representation of this historical event. According to the NAACP, "On June 12, 1963, Evers pulled into his driveway after returning from an integration meeting where he had conferred with NAACP lawyers. Emerging from his car and carrying NAACP T-shirts that stated, "Jim Crow Must Go", Evers was struck in the back with a bullet that ricocheted into his home. The opening scene of Ghosts of Mississippi Medgar Evers was shot in his back outside of his house. Also according to the NAACP "during the course of his first 1964 trial, De La Beckwith was visited by former Mississippi governor Ross Barnett and one time Army Major General Edwin A. Walker." In the movie during the first trial a Governor went up to De La Beckwith and shook his hand during the trial. These are two examples that show that the movie is being based on facts.

Telling a story that must be told; superb performances

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 31 December 2016]

This is a superb film.

First of all, it appears to me that this is a reasonably good telling of the real story. Although, it may surprise people to know that the prosecutor played by Alec Baldwin later ended up in prison himself when he became a disgraced judge himself (you can read about it in Wikipedia).

But aside from the telling of the story, what impressed me about this film was the quality of the acting, particularly for a couple of people about whom we may have forgotten just how good actors they were.

Alec Baldwin is superb as prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter. In fact, I wonder if this may not have been his finest film performance.

Whoopi Goldberg is equally excellent (and restrained) as Myrlie Evers, the widow of Medgar Evers.

And James Woods, though he plays the villain here, is excellently disgusting as Byron De La Beckwith, the convicted assassin of Medgar Evers.

To be honest, it's difficult for me to find fault with this film. It's very solid.

Strongly against this slow twaddle.

[Svengali-2001 · 1/10 · 7 July 2000]

What could have been a topline film has been adulterated by slipshod direction, poor writing and shocking editing. Over half the film should have been cut and stronger dialogue added to the more potent scenes. The director has destroyed an important story line and topic by diluting all the drama and stereotyping the performers which is a shame because blokes like Alec Baldwin show he can actually act but he has to do it with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Whoopi is a fine actress in anything but here she is washed away by turgid meanderings. James Woods stands out mainly because the director forgot everyone else in his attempt to show one evil man rather than a ridiculous and evil system. American Blacks must view this film with the same angst they would a Laurel and Hardy film. And with as much respect.

A story worth telling, well told

[Geofbob · 15 July 2001]

Based on fact and directed by Rob Reiner, Ghosts recounts the investigation, and retrial in 1994 - after two mistrials in the 60s - of Byron de la Beckwith for the racist shooting in 1963 of Medgar Evers, an NAACP activist. The film has gained renewed topicality with the recent conviction of another white supremacist for the Birmingham, Alabama, Baptist Church bombing, also in 1963.

Alec Baldwin gives a solid, and sometimes stolid, performance in the central role of prosecuting DA, Bobby DeLaughter (pronounced DeLaw), himself from Mississippi's white uppercrust, whose marriage hits the rocks because of his pursuit of the case. James Woods, convincingly made up to look over 70 for most of the movie, is electrifying as the arrogant, hateful Beckwith. Whoopi Goldberg portrays Medgar's widow with a lot of dignity and even a touch of humour, but it would have been understandable if she had also displayed a little more bitterness.

The movie is possibly not as powerful as Reiner hoped, partly no doubt because he was restricted by the facts. In particular, the retrial seems to have thrown up little or no new evidence, thus making the courtroom action less dramatic than in a fictional movie. Perhaps a greater criticism is that the intense focus on Baldwin/DeLaughter, who is in almost every scene, tends to turn him into the hero of the movie; whereas it should be Medgar Evers, who as a civil rights activist in one of the most bigoted areas of the USA deserves everyone's undying admiration.

Despite the movie's flaws, it is gripping for most of its 130 minutes, and this was certainly a story worth telling.

A bit of a let down

[patrolman809 · 6/10 · 1 May 2021]

Nothing gets me more interested to see a good documentary movie with a serious subject matter. Once I found Alec Baldwin and Whoopie in the leads, I realized we as observers were going to be virtue signaled from the jump. I would have liked to have seen more character development : esp more about Mr. EVERS. And less predictable pabulum, esp from Baldwin. There are moments in the movie of redemption but it was no To Kill a Mockingbird...I'd pass on this one next time.

important history

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 4 December 2016]

In 1963 Mississippi, civil rights leader Medgar Evers is assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) leaving his wife Myrlie (Whoopi Goldberg) a widower. Byron is arrested and treated as a hero by the white establishment. It's 1989. After two hung juries, Myrlie wants to reopen the case. Assistant district attorney Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) and his southern family don't see the point of pursuing the case. He's the son-in-law of the original racist judge. Every piece of evidence and transcript have disappeared except one unnamed source claiming Myrlie as the killer. Bobby decides to take on the case despite the opposition from everyone including his wife, the 6th Amendment, and the march of time.

This is obviously important history. For the most part, the first half is pretty good. It's unflinching in it portrayal of Mississippi of the past and the present. It does threaten to go melodramatic at times. The story is so devastating that director Rob Reiner's little melodramatic touches are not necessary. The trial gets stretched and the tension starts to fade. I guess the real story restricts his dramatic efforts. This is a big story and Reiner does a reasonable job.

Solid Courtroom Drama

[brendan-63701 · 6/10 · 8 September 2023]

Ghosts of Mississippi is a well executed courtroom drama, but that focus leads to the sidelining of characters like Whoopi Goldberg's in favor of a myopic focus on Alec Baldwin's prosecutor. As an enjoyer of the courtroom drama genre, I enjoyed watching this movie, it was fun, properly dramatic, but a bit predictable at times. I would've liked to see at least a few more scenes of Medgar Evers, maybe in a flashback, or some scenes of the Evers family without Alec Baldwin there. The film does a good job of imparting the feel of race relations in the south at the time, and it feels credible and realistic, but doesn't elevate the topic to say something beyond the obvious.

Good Movie

[jstaggs-59274 · 7/10 · 28 September 2018]

The movie, Ghosts of Mississippi, is a film about the retrial of the man accused of killing civil rights leader, Medgar Evers. Ghosts of Mississippi is a standalone movie that depicts the continuing racial difficulties in Mississippi. Ghost of Mississippi is directed by Rob Reiner with a cast of phenomenal actors such as Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, and James Woods yet the acting in the movie is average and often falls short. For example, the emotional feeling is lacking when Medgar is shot and murdered. Even with these small inconsistencies the acting overall is stellar in many scenes. Whoopi Goldberg really gives her character the emotional connection one would expect for a woman who just lost her husband and is forced to relive the emotional turmoil during the trial of his murderer, yet Goldberg's most memorable scene occurs after the trial and gives the viewer a true sense of accomplishment about her character and the stress of the trial. If a movie lover chooses to watch a movie for the music alone this movie isn't a movie for them. The music is not memorable and does little to enhance the climaxes of the movie. The cinematography of the movie is also done well. As seen in the many scenes in which the characters are in the dark throughout the movie. Undoubtedly the best scene covered in darkness is the attorney fighting for the murderer's conviction, and his family is threatened, they are seen running out of the house, into dark Mississippi night, viewers see shadows and not the characters. The Editing of this movie is done rather well as the movie is seamless, and difficulty to pinpoint throughout the movie. Overall Ghosts of Mississippi is a movie that would be an amazing movie for anyone who loves history especially the civil rights era. Ghost of Mississippi earned a 3 out of 5 stars due to the inconsistencies in acting, Yet this viewer rates it at a 4 out of 5 stars due to the complexity of the material. Ghost of Mississippi does a good job representing the historical events and depicts the tension between the Whites and Blacks as well as those who fought together and against in the Civil Rights movement. Ghost of Mississippi directors stayed true to actual events during this era, for example, the number of jurors who were black or female during the jury trial. The movie also does an excellent job articulating the biases of the people involved with this event. As this would be only an opinion as to how movies do when portraying historical events and the viewer will always have their opinion about how the facts are portrayed.

NOT boring at all ~ Justice IS ALWAYS EXCITING

[jazz-45 · 9/10 · 8 January 2001]

I loved this movie, can't believe I haven't seen it before Now. THANK YOU to Craig T. Nelson. Since I look up and at everything he is in SINCE the "the District" season began. THIS MOVIE was much for the same reason I love the District. COMPASSIONATE MEN, they get me every time. AND THIS MOVIE BEING TRUE is the REASON It's So Thrilling. I wish the evil of the kkk WOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED LONG AGO, I say this as a white woman, born in the North, but loving the Southern Life, EXCEPT for the still prejudice attitude here. I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE people around me still think Blacks & Whites are different. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND A WRITTEN COPY OF THE SPEECH J.F.K really gave (as it was shown) in the movie. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND A COPY, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU IMMENSELY

Almost TKAM

[jeroduptown · 6/10 · 18 February 2022]

Baldwin's not the most convincing as the DA for the state - but James Woods plays the white supremacist deftly. Based on the true story of a race crime, it's a heavy subject that Baldwin's role doesn't carry.

Talented People, Good Subject, Bad Film

[flickershows · 4/10 · 11 February 2004]

Perhaps Rob Reiner and company made this film with the best possible intentions. The story of Byron De La Beckwith's assassination of Medgar Evers in 1963 is worthy material and should have made for a powerful film. So I'm sure they didn't mean for the movie to be thuddingly inept, nor for it to be almost insulting to all who struggled to make civil rights a reality. Reiner directs with the subtlety of a kick to the lower abdominal area and the black actors are forced to act all noble on us. And here's yet another Hollywood film that narrows it down to this---the crazy racist situation in Mississippi can only be fixed by a white lawyer. Even if every second of this story is true, the way the movie presents it is obvious, dull, and insipid.

James Woods is one of the most exciting actors alive, but even he's dudding it up in this pic. His Oscar nomination was most undeserved. He plays a caricature. Even if the real Byron De La Beckwith is as over the top and imbecilic as Woods plays him, he's more of a buffoon than a monster. Beckwith deserved justice and Medgar Evers' family obviously deserved to see the guy pay for his crime, but it's hard to cheer when a film botches the story as badly as this.

If there are ghosts in Mississippi, they were probably dying to haunt the film set to make the film-makers tell this story right. Don't let these people near a Martin Luther King script. This team would find a way to make even the most-important black leader of the 20th century seem boring.

Engrossing true story

[lamadrelrs · 9/10 · 24 December 2006]

This excellent film tells the true story of a white southern prosecutor who has the courage to try to set right a gross miscarriage of justice that took place in the segregated South at the beginning of the Civil Rights movement 30 years earlier. Alec Balwin as prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter and James Woods as Brian De la Beckwith, the accused, give outstanding performances. Whoopi Goldberg shows her range as an actress portraying Myrlie Evers, widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers whose murder was never solved or prosecuted. Goldberg lets the viewer know that Mrs. Evers is a woman of great dignity, strength and faith.

I was a young woman during the actual events that took place in Mississippi so long ago. At the time, I must not have paid much attention because none of this story was really familiar to me. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the DVD and watch it about three times a year. I have recommended the film to social studies teachers. The story serves a springboard for teaching opportunities. The artistic quality of the film never leaves the viewer feeling bored.

Really good film.

Tighter editing could have made this a true classic

[ragingbull_2005 · 6/10 · 10 July 2020]

In 1963, civil rights activist Edgar Meyer was gunned down by a white supremacist, who enjoyed judicial and societal immunity, for close to 3 decades, while mouthing off racist stuff in numerous interviews. This is the story of the activist's wife and district attorney's fight to ensure that justice delayed doesn't become justice denied.

The court scenes that last for almost 3 quarters of an hour are the life of the film. However, it invests too much time in the human drama happening in the lawyer's personal life, which could have been either because the script writer was trying to make him look all too human or to cash in on his star appeal. This, unnecessarily, increased the run time and made the impact less powerful.

James Woods has 10-15 minutes of screen time as the septaguenerian racist. But, he chews up the scenery in his Academy Award nominated role. Alec Baldwin is well cast as the earnest attorney.

It has its heart in the right place. And it brings to light a heart breaking travesty of justice.

But, sometimes that is not enough. It could have done well with better editing. It feels too long, with the initial hour almost sinking the more powerful second half.

Recommended for the history buffs.

Plodding history lesson ...................

[merklekranz · 5/10 · 28 June 2011]

This could have been a pretty good ninety minute film. Unfortunately it is 130 minutes and the extra 40 minutes is almost fatal. There is an important story being told, that is somewhat dulled by way too much extraneous material, along with some distracting family distress, and child coddling. Less would have been best in the case of "Ghosts of Mississippi. The acting by Alec Baldwin, Whoppi Goldberg, and especially James Woods is totally acceptable, but the movie drags on way too long. I realize being based on fact, the writers were somewhat restricted, but I would have preferred a leaner story, without the distracting extras involving wives and children. - MERK