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Re: Free State of Jones Movie
In Response To: Free State of Jones Movie ()

I finally watched the movie with many places of fast forward. Yawn. It seems highly embellished with Matthew McConaughey mini-speeches. I have not read the book, but it seems the screen writer/producer lost a lot of opportunity to be more factual or to keep a higher interest. For me, the editing (or lack of) created lulls and repetition that bored me. I think it would have made a better TV movie with an hour removed.

What I did connect with was the horrific bloody surgery area and the sheer fear of the entire fighting and the disgusting conscription and use of warm bodies, no matter the age. (But especially young boys -gawd!) Was it true that many kids were thrown in the midst of a battle without ever loading or shooting a rifle????

I also had a personal connection with the desertion and why thousands of confederates could not stay - my Great Grandfatherx2, Thomas Cussens, just moved to Beaumont to start a life with his new bride in 1860. They had two baby boys immediately. He was from England.

I often have heard the Civil War was a rich mans war and a poor mans fight. I understand that fully. I also understand, after reading many articles and actual letters begging husbands and fathers to come home in order to save the family in dire straights. I also empathize with the conditions these soldiers endured - starvation, literally freezing to death, dystenry, measles, typhoid, yellow fever and etc.

I am overly dramatic, but I think they were treated like dogs.

The movie, Free State of Jones, grabbed my attention in the first 15 minutes until I started fast forwarding.
Regards

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