'Free State of Jones' Stars Matthew McConaughy as an Anti-Slavery, Bible-Quoting Ex-Confederate Soldier

It’s a long way from Hollywood, yet a swampy corner of southeast Mississippi has given the film world its latest hero — or maybe antihero.

His name is Newton Knight, born 180 years ago and played by Matthew McConaughey in the The Free State of Jones, which opened around the country on June 24.