Both Rachel and Sheyann were several years younger than they are portrayed and described in the movie.
The real-life Amelia Boynton is referred to as "Mrs. Blythe" in the movie. Amelia Boynton sued Disney for defamation over her portrayal in the movie.
Jonathan Myrick Daniels Died August 20, 1965. In the movie his death is between the days March 15, 1965 and March 21, 1965.
Jonathan Daniels did not arrive in Selma until after Bloody Sunday; he was not present at Jimmie Lee Jackson's shooting (which took place inside, at night), nor was Daniels present at Bloody Sunday. Jimmie Lee Jackson did not die in Marion, but in Selma, eight days after he was shot.
The movie refers to the Dallas County [Selma] Sheriff as "Sheriff Potts." In real life this was Jim Clark.
In the beginning of the movie, Johnathan Daniels first comes to Selma, he meets Father Whitaker. Father Whitaker is an Episcopal priest, as is Johnathan. Yet throughout the movie, Daniels is referred to as "Reverend Daniels," or a pastor or minister.
Some may perceive this to be inaccurate and assert that all Episcopal priests are referred to as "Father," not "Reverend."
However, it is quite common for Episcopal priests to be referred to other than "Father." Some Episcopal priests, being of a more "low-church" persuasion do not wish their parishioners call them "Father". In some cases, e.g. small towns in the South, they are simply called "Preacher."
Some may perceive this to be inaccurate and assert that all Episcopal priests are referred to as "Father," not "Reverend."
However, it is quite common for Episcopal priests to be referred to other than "Father." Some Episcopal priests, being of a more "low-church" persuasion do not wish their parishioners call them "Father". In some cases, e.g. small towns in the South, they are simply called "Preacher."