In the climax of the film, Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) and his group of rebels, which includes both escaped slaves and poor white farmers, establish the Free State of Jones in Jones County, Mississippi. This independent, mixed-race community defies the Confederacy and declares itself a haven for those seeking refuge from the war and its oppressive conditions.
As the Civil War progresses, the film explores the complexities of the Reconstruction era. After the war, Newton Knight continues to fight for the rights of freed slaves and against the oppressive policies of the Southern states.
In the latter part of the film, there is a courtroom scene where Newton is on trial for various charges, including treason against the Confederacy. The trial takes place in a post-war South that is grappling with racial tensions and the uncertainties of Reconstruction.
Newton Knight is ultimately acquitted of the charges, but the film suggests that the promises of freedom and equality for African Americans during the Reconstruction era are short-lived. The state implements discriminatory laws such as the Black Codes and, later, Jim Crow laws.
The movie concludes with a flash-forward to the mid-20th century when Davis Knight, a descendant of Newton, faces legal challenges due to Mississippi’s laws on interracial marriage. The film underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States.
In summary, “Free State of Jones” ends by highlighting the challenges faced by Newton Knight and his community during and after the Civil War, emphasizing the complexities and contradictions of Reconstruction and the enduring fight for civil rights.