As a historian and a film enthusiast with a deep interest in the American Civil War era, I found “Free State of Jones” to be a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience. The film masterfully blends historical accuracy with Hollywood spectacle, providing a unique perspective on the complexities of the post-Civil War South.
Matthew McConaughey has shown versatility in Hollywood, taking on a wide range of roles. From romantic comedies like those from the 2000s to serious dramas such as “The Lincoln Lawyer” and “Dallas Buyer’s Club,” which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, he’s also portrayed a stripper in “Magic Mike,” a menacing villain in “Killer Joe,” an animated koala in the “Sing” series, and the memorable character from “Dazed and Confused.” McConaughey excels at adapting to any role he tackles.
In the movies “U-571” and “Free State of Jones”, the well-known actor adopts a completely distinct role: War. He skillfully portrays tough, yet empathetic leaders, who charge fearlessly into conflict effortlessly. While one film is crafted as a blockbuster with massive explosions and tense twists, the other offers a close-up examination of war’s impact on the oppressed, both movies showcase McConaughey at his best. The good news? You can now watch both films streaming on Netflix.
U-571 (2000)
In 2000, the film U-571 was released, a submarine drama directed by Jonathan Mostow. This movie, jointly penned by Sam Montgomery and David Ayer, who also helmed Jason Statham’s standout film of recent years, The Beekeeper (2024), follows the tale of an American submarine crew during WWII. The story revolves around their audacious attempt to hijack a German U-boat for the purpose of stealing an Enigma code machine, which could significantly boost Allied efforts in deciphering German communications. However, what initially seemed like a simple heist operation turns into a fight for survival when an American sub is destroyed, leaving the crew with no choice but to confront the enemy aboard the captured German U-571.
Matthew McConaughey plays Lieutenant Andrew Tyler, stepping into the role of Commander Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton) when the unexpected happens, and finding himself leading his crew through challenging circumstances with limited leadership experience. The principal cast also includes Harvey Keitel as Chief Henry Keough, Jake Weber as Lt. Michael Hirsch, and Erik Palladino, Dave Power, Will Estes, Tom Guiry, and Jack Noseworthy portray different sailors. Jon Bon Jovi has a brief cameo as Lt. Pete Emmett, but a scene where his character might have been beheaded was removed to maintain the PG-13 rating.
Reception & Historical Innaccuracy
The film titled “U-571” performed exceptionally at the box office, more than doubling its initial $62 million investment in earnings. It was praised as a high-quality action thriller and even won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing. Despite not being heavily character-focused or offering a particularly original or intricate storyline, which some reviewers acknowledged, it effectively follows the standard formula of a submarine movie. The main criticism leveled at “U-571” was its questionable historical accuracy.
I must confess, when I first heard about the movie U-571, I was excited to learn more about the history behind its plot – the capture of the German Enigma machine. However, upon further investigation, it seems that some critics have taken issue with the film’s portrayal of events, claiming it distorts historical facts. They argue that American forces were erroneously given credit for obtaining the first Enigma cipher machine, when in reality, it was the British Royal Navy who achieved this feat months before the U.S. even entered World War II. In fact, they were responsible for recovering 13 out of the 15 total Enigma machines stolen during the war.
Controversy
At that time, members of the British government criticized the filmmakers for failing to acknowledge the significant influence of Britain in the movie U-571. Although the movie’s credits do recognize the role of the Royal Navy and “Allied sailors and officers who bravely obtained Enigma materials,” even one of its co-writers, David Ayer, later expressed regret. In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he admitted:
It was a manipulative choice… a self-serving action… to craft this alternate history solely to cater to an American audience in the movie. As both of my grandparents served as officers during World War II, I would find it deeply disrespectful if anyone twisted their accomplishments.
In a more straightforward manner, let me rephrase: Unlike some critics, Sub Lieutenant David Balme, the actual Royal Navy officer who captured the first Enigma machine in 1941, was more understanding about the movie U-571. Speaking to BBC News, he acknowledged that the film would not have made back its investment if it hadn’t been “Americanized.” Despite the debate over the historical accuracy of U-571, it remains a skillfully crafted action thriller that offers an entertaining experience for viewers. To enjoy the movie, one should simply set aside concerns about historical facts and appreciate it as the Hollywood production it was meant to be.
Free State of Jones (2016)
The movie titled “Free State of Jones” is a historical war film, centering around Newton Knight, a farmer who transforms into a combat medic in Jones County, Mississippi. During the American Civil War, he abandons the Confederate army. Newton and his followers, who identify as Southern Unionists, establish their region as the “Free State of Jones.” The narrative also explores the post-war reconstruction era where Newton champions for the rights of former slaves within his community. Fast-forward scenes depict a trial in 1948 regarding interracial relations, emphasizing ongoing racial struggles that persisted even after slavery’s abolishment. Notably, Newton fathered children with both his white wife Serena and an enslaved Black woman named Rachel.
The film “Free State of Jones” offers an account, albeit not exhaustive, of a community and a specific individual who defied beliefs they found unacceptable during the Civil War. Unlike Alex Garland’s 2024 “Civil War“, which has faced criticism for being overly apolitical, it carries more weight. Director Gary Ross, known for his work on “Seabiscuit” and “Pleasantville“, was committed to maintaining historical accuracy in the storytelling. He conducted extensive research over a decade, consulting several esteemed scholars of that era.
Ross set up a comprehensive website to clearly distinguish facts from cinematic changes in the movie, providing a scene-by-scene analysis.
Reception
Sadly, the film “Free State of Jones” underperformed financially, earning just half of its $50 million budget. Given its special topic and release alongside blockbusters like “Independence Day: Resurgence” and “Finding Dory“, this outcome isn’t too unexpected. However, it’s important to remember that the director, Ross, had previously demonstrated his ability to create a hit with “The Hunger Games“. Although critics had mixed opinions about the film, many seemed to appreciate its purpose, with A.O. Scott of The New York Times praising it for using Hollywood’s spectacle tools to help us better understand the war and its aftermath. He also commended Ross for handling the movie’s sensitive subjects with both tact and sensitivity.
As a supporter, I acknowledge the concern about the “white savior” trope in films, such as The Last Samurai, which often presents people of color as needing rescue by a white character. However, in the case of Free State of Jones, I believe that the criticism is lessened because it focuses on Newton Knight, a real-life figure who made significant decisions. Instead of aiming to construct a white savior narrative, Ross seems to be committed to telling an authentic story, which is commendable.
A Lasting Effect
In modern-day Jones County, opinions toward Knight vary greatly: while some see him as a betrayer of the Confederacy, others are thrilled to claim him as a distinguished Civil War veteran from their state. During an interview with Richard Grant from Smithsonian Magazine, local resident Joseph Hosey, who appears in the film as an extra, expressed, “Newt Knight offers me, as a white Southerner, a piece of my heritage that I can take pride in. Not all of us supported it.
Beyond just being thrilled, two African American descendants of Knight, Dorothy Knight Marsh and Florence Knight Blayock, graciously participated in the project, despite the ongoing discrimination they experience as “Knight Negroes.” As descendants of Newt and Rachel, they expressed great pride and respect for their ancestors. According to Blaylock, “I’m proud to be descended from Newt and Rachel. I have so much respect for both of them.” Free State of Jones, while an engaging film for cinephiles, may hold its most significant impact in the real world.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-06 02:02