Free State of Jones Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "Free State of Jones" impressively captures the film's period-specific aesthetic with its nuanced, almost sepia-toned palette. Predominantly presenting a black and white mixed with muted colors, the visual design accentuates thematic elements, making browns and blues appear subtly subdued, while grays and whites remain sharply delineated. The controlled use of color may take viewers some time to adjust to but ultimately allows an appreciation for the stylized approach. Deep blacks exhibit excellent gradations and dynamic highlights, particularly in scenes balanced with mixed light and dark content.

The film, despite being digitally photographed, exudes a filmic veneer that enhances the intricate details in period attire and natural environments. Fine details are astonishingly clear, highlighting everything from the texture of heavy fabric clothing to the grime and pores on faces. The presentation excels in vividly rendering wooden textures, scuffs on gun stocks, and the intricate details of burned rubble. Though colors lean towards a mild washed-out appearance, with flesh tones occasionally pale, natural greens are punchy, and reds, especially blood, are vibrant and stand out distinctly. While night scenes exhibit minor noise and slight inconsistencies in blacks, the overall image quality remains robust and appealing.

Shot using Arri Alexa XT equipment and presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, "Free State of Jones" on Blu-ray delivers impressively fine details and defined facial features set against beautiful shots of the Mississippi and Louisiana countryside. The deliberate desaturation aligns with the historical period look, utilizing a rich array of earth tones — browns, greens, and grays. Black levels are consistently excellent without major glitches; banding and aliasing are virtually absent, and there is only minimal noise in the dimmest scenes. This presentation offers a highly pleasing visual experience without significant flaws.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Free State of Jones" offers a compelling audio experience that underscores both the film's intense battle scenes and its quieter, atmospheric moments. Dialogue is rendered with transparent realism and balanced flawlessly within the front soundstage, ensuring clarity and detail throughout. The surround mix expertly utilizes the entire auditory platform, especially during battle sequences where dynamic range and low-frequency effects demonstrate their full potential. The rear channels effectively support spatial ambience and directional cues, enriching the immersive experience.

In larger-scale battles, the soundscape is teeming with heavy marching footfalls, a robust allocation of balanced bass, and the cacophony of zipping cannonballs, cracking rifle fire, and screaming men. The result is a fully saturated stage that demands attention. Smaller skirmishes remain equally engaging, with fantastic imaging as gunfire pops from every speaker, creating an impressive sense of immersion. The sound design maintains its excellence even in subdued environments, seamlessly integrating atmospheric details such as campfires crackling or the wind rustling through trees.

From the opening moments featuring stomping boots to the near-silent tensions filled with subtle acoustics, this audio presentation keeps the viewer firmly grounded in the film's world. The track is equally adept at handling the dynamic range of battlefield chaos and serene natural surroundings. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track adds significant depth to the viewing experience with its expert prioritization of dialogue and diverse sound effects, ensuring a highly enjoyable auditory journey.

The Blu-ray disc of "Free State of Jones" offers a comprehensive and insightful look into the historical background of the film’s setting with its sole, but substantial, supplemental feature. The standout extra, titled "The History of Jones County," runs approximately 18 minutes. It includes interviews with local historians and residents, providing a rich, educational perspective on Newton Knight and the real events of Jones County, Mississippi. This piece is interspersed with scenes from the film, effectively tying the historical facts to the movie’s narrative. Additionally, the package includes a DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a Digital HD Copy.

Extras included in this disc:

The History of Jones County: Documentary featuring interviews with historians and Jones County residents, supplemented by film clips. Bonus DVD: A DVD copy of "Free State of Jones." Digital HD Copy: Voucher for digital download.

"Free State of Jones," directed by Gary Ross, presents a vivid yet imperfect retelling of Civil War defector Newton Knight's rebellion against the Confederacy. Matthew McConaughey stars as Knight, a Confederate army medic turned leader of a mixed-race insurrection in Mississippi. The narrative draws from the books "The State of Jones" by Sally Jenkins and John Stauffer and "The Free State of Jones" by Victoria E. Bynum. While the movie struggles to balance its sprawling historical scope with personal character arcs, it remains a compelling account of an underreported piece of American history.

The film excels in historical accuracy and immersive production design, transporting viewers to the Civil War era through meticulous costume and setting recreations. McConaughey delivers a strong performance, capturing Knight's evolution from a battlefield medic to a revolutionary leader. His portrayal is complemented by Mahershala Ali's standout role as Moses Washington, who adds depth during the film's Reconstruction-era segments. However, the narrative occasionally falters, bogging down in the Mississippi swamps and suffering from an overambitious plot that sometimes jumps forward abruptly, disrupting the story flow.

Despite these issues, "Free State of Jones" navigates its rich tapestry of political overtones, visceral excitement, and intimate drama with adequate skill. The film's ambition is apparent, albeit sometimes to its detriment, as it attempts to cover vast historical ground while delving into intricate human relationships. The Blu-ray presentation enhances the film's visual and auditory details, further immersing the audience in this captivating but flawed Civil War epic.

"Free State of Jones" is a compelling Civil War drama that excels in its narrative depth and quality characterization. Directed by Gary Ross and starring Matthew McConaughey, the film presents a richly constructed story that delves into the complex life and legacy of Newton Knight. Although it underperformed at the box office, it stands as a hidden gem that deserves broader recognition. The production values are high, and the storytelling is robust, though some may find the pacing lagging due to an overextended plot that may have benefited from a more condensed approach.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Free State of Jones" is commendable in terms of video and audio quality. The presentation is pristine, offering top-class audiovisual treatment that enhances the film's already strong production values. However, the package is somewhat lacking in special features, with only one featurette included—although it is a well-crafted and engaging bonus. Such a minimal collection of extras might disappoint enthusiasts who enjoy in-depth supplementary content.

In conclusion, "Free State of Jones" is a high-quality film with an ambitious narrative and exquisite production that succeeds on multiple fronts despite its minor shortcomings. This Blu-ray edition, providing excellent video and audio but limited extras, is recommended for anyone looking to explore a thoughtful and visually impressive Civil War drama. While not without its flaws, the overall package offers a rewarding viewing experience worth adding to any collection.