Movies About The Deep South

From Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy
Rated Approved

“To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) is an American classic film directed by Robert Mulligan. The film follows the story of Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, a lawyer in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. He is tasked with defending a black man named Tom Robinson who has been wrongly accused of raping a white woman. The film explores themes of racism, justice, compassion, and courage as it follows the Finch family throughout their struggles. Atticus and his children, Scout and Jem, must confront the evil and ignorance of the town’s people as they try to do what is right. Along the way, they are aided by their wise neighbor, Boo Radley, who eventually helps to save the day. “To Kill a Mockingbird” has become a beloved and timeless classic due to its powerful themes and excellent performances. It won three Academy Awards and has earned its place in the annals of film history.

From Peter Farrelly, starring Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco
Rated PG-13

Green Book is a 2018 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly. The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali and follows the true story of an Italian-American bouncer, Tony Lip (Mortensen), who is hired to drive African-American pianist Don Shirley (Ali) on a tour of the Deep South in 1962. Together, the two men must rely on The Green Book, a guide for African-Americans traveling during the Jim Crow era, to safely navigate the regions racial segregation. Along their journey, Tony and Don develop a deep and unlikely friendship that defies the odds. Through the power of friendship and music, they are able to overcome racism and prejudice.

From Arthur Penn, starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson
Rated Approved

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 biographical drama film directed by Arthur Penn. It tells the story of Anne Sullivan, a teacher who is hired to help a young blind, deaf and mute girl named Helen Keller learn to communicate. Through persistence and creativity, Anne succeeds in teaching Helen sign language and connecting with her, ultimately helping her to become an advocate for the disabled. The film stars Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller, and won multiple awards including two Academy Awards. The Miracle Worker is a powerful story of the human spirit, determination, and the beauty of education.

From Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy-drama film directed by Tim Burton, based on the novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, and Helena Bonham Carter. The story focuses on the relationship between Edward Bloom, an adventurous, imaginative man portrayed in different stages of his life by Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, and Billy Crudup, and his son, Will. After Edward's passing, Will is determined to reconcile with his father and uncover the truth behind his tall tales. Despite their strained relationship, Will embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery of his father's life and try to understand the man behind the stories. Along the way, Will discovers a magical and mysterious world full of adventure and love, while uncovering his father's secret past. With the help of a witch, a giant, and a werewolf, Will and his father create a bond that will last forever. Big Fish is a captivating tale about the power of imagination and the strength of family bonds. It is a heartwarming and uplifting story about life, love, and making the most of every moment.

From Billy Bob Thornton, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter
Rated R

Sling Blade is a 1996 drama film written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton. The film follows Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man who has been institutionalized since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. After his release, Karl has to learn to cope with life outside of the institution and forms a friendship with a young boy and his single mother. Throughout the course of the film, Karl struggles to find his place in society and ultimately comes face to face with his dark past. The film received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and Thornton's performance in the lead role, and went on to become a commercial and critical success.

From Elia Kazan, starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
Rated PG

A Streetcar Named Desire is an iconic 1951 American drama film directed by Elia Kazan, and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. Starring Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden, the film tells the story of a troubled former schoolteacher, Blanche DuBois, who takes refuge with her sister and brother-in-law in a dilapidated New Orleans apartment building. Blanche's life is soon complicated by her romantic feelings for her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, and their complex relationship forms the core of the film. Blanche's fragile state of mind is further exacerbated by Stanley's brutish behavior, which leads to an explosive confrontation, and her eventual expulsion from the family's apartment.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a crime drama set in the deep south of the United States in the 1960s. The film follows Virgil Tibbs, a black police detective from Philadelphia, who is visiting the town of Sparta, Mississippi and becomes involved in a murder investigation. Tibbs is initially a suspect, but is able to prove his innocence and eventually helps solve the case. Along the way, Tibbs faces racial prejudice from the local law enforcement and townspeople, as well as from police chief Gillespie. Tibbs is able to overcome the racial tension and ultimately solves the case. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 drama film directed by Alan Parker and written by Chris Gerolmo. It stars Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey, and Stephen Tobolowsky. Set during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the film follows two FBI agents (Hackman and Dafoe) investigating the disappearance of three civil rights activists in a small rural town in Mississippi. With the aid of a local black preacher (Tobolowsky) and a local civil rights leader (Ermey), the agents uncover a deep-seated conspiracy of racial violence and terror. Through their investigation, they come face to face with the harsh realities of racism and violence in the segregated South. The film earned critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hackman).

From James Mangold, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Rated PG-13

Walk the Line is a biographical drama film directed by James Mangold that follows the life of legendary country music singer and songwriter, Johnny Cash. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the film follows Cash's rise to fame and his turbulent personal life, including his troubled relationship with his wife June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). As he struggles with drug addiction and success, Cash perseveres and finds solace in his music, eventually becoming one of the most influential figures in country music. The film also showcases Cash's relationships with other influential figures in the music industry, such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Overall, Walk the Line is an inspiring story of success and overcoming personal struggles.

From John Boorman, starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R

Deliverance is a 1972 American thriller film directed by John Boorman and starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox. The film is based on James Dickey's 1970 novel of the same name. The story follows four Atlanta businessmen on a canoeing trip in the Georgia wilderness who are terrorized by two mountain men. The four men are forced to fight for their lives, or risk succumbing to the dangers of the wilderness. As they fight their way through the rapids and back to civilization, the men's camaraderie is tested and their moral strength is challenged. Deliverance is a powerful exploration of man's courage and strength in the face of danger and adversity.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman
Rated PG-13

"O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is a 2000 American comedy film co-written, produced, and directed by the Coen brothers and starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Goodman. Set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression, the film follows three convicts who escape from a chain gang and embark on a quest to retrieve a buried treasure. Along the way, they encounter a blind prophet, numerous sirens, a cyclops, and many other colorful characters. The film is a loose adaptation of Homer's Odyssey. The soundtrack features bluegrass, country, gospel, and folk music, and the film was commercially successful, resulting in a spin-off concert tour and album.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin
Rated Passed

Cape Fear is a classic suspense thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen. The film is about a former criminal named Max Cady (Mitchum) who seeks revenge on the lawyer Sam Bowden (Peck) who was responsible for his conviction many years earlier. As Cady begins to terrorize Sam and his family, Sam is forced to take increasingly desperate measures to protect them. The film is an intense cat-and-mouse game between Cady and Sam, with unexpected twists and turns throughout. Ultimately, Sam must confront Cady in a violent confrontation in order to save his family.

From Jon Avnet, starring Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 American comedy-drama film directed by Jon Avnet and based on Fannie Flagg's 1987 novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The film tells the story of a southern woman, Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates), who becomes inspired to take control of her life after engaging in conversation with an elderly woman (Jessica Tandy) in a nursing home. It follows the friendship between two women, Evelyn and Ninny Threadgoode (Tandy), who share stories of Ninny’s life in the small town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, in the 1930s. The film addresses themes of racism, inequality, and homophobia, as well as exploring the relationships between friends, family, and the past. The film stars Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jessica Tandy, with Cicely Tyson playing a supporting role. Fried Green Tomatoes was a box office success, grossing $119.7 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Rated R

Down by Law is a 1986 black-and-white comedy-drama film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni. The story follows three unlikely cellmates—an unemployed disc jockey (Lurie), a pimp (Waits), and an Italian tourist (Benigni)—who escape from prison and embark on a journey through the Louisiana bayou. Along the way, they encounter a host of colorful characters, including a young female runaway, a blind disc jockey, and a mysterious zombie-like figure. Despite their very different personalities, the three prisoners eventually bond, learning the importance of friendship and loyalty in their attempt to evade their captors.

From Jordan Peele, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener
Rated R

Get Out is a horror/thriller film directed by Jordan Peele released in 2017. The movie follows a young African-American man, Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), who visits his white girlfriend’s family estate for the weekend. While there, Chris quickly discovers that things are not as they seem and that the family has an unsettling and sinister agenda. With the help of his best friend, Rod (Lil Rel Howery), Chris must find a way to escape the family and their dangerous plans. What follows is a suspenseful and thrilling story of survival filled with unexpected twists and turns.

From Jonathan Lynn, starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio, Mitchell Whitfield
Rated R

My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn. The movie stars Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Fred Gwynne, and Ralph Macchio as the main characters. The story follows Vinny (Pesci) and his fiancée Mona Lisa (Tomei) as they travel to Alabama to defend Vinny's cousin, Bill (Macchio), who has been wrongfully accused of murder. The two soon find themselves in over their heads as they try to prove Bill's innocence. Along the way they encounter numerous obstacles, including a stern judge, a zealous prosecutor, and a hostile southern town. With their charm, wit, and the help of an eccentric lawyer, the two ultimately succeed in proving Bill's innocence and saving the day.

From Martin Ritt, starring Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks, Carmen Mathews
Rated G

Set in rural Louisiana during the Great Depression, Sounder is the story of a poor African American family facing hard times. The story follows the father, Nathan (Paul Winfield), who works hard but finds little success due to his race. When Nathan is arrested for stealing food for his family, he is sent to prison, leaving his wife Rebecca (Cicely Tyson) and kids behind. The youngest son, David (Kevin Hooks), takes on a more substantial role in his family in his father’s absence. He sets out alone with the family’s beloved coonhound, Sounder, in search of his father. Along the way, David encounters harsh realities of poverty and racism, as well as kindness and understanding from strangers. Through his journey, he learns the true meaning of courage, faith, and love.

From Robert Benton, starring Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan
Rated PG

From Jeff Nichols, starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Sam Shepard
Rated PG-13

From Robert Mulligan, starring Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland, Reese Witherspoon
Rated PG-13

From Craig Brewer, starring Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning
Rated R

From Bruce Beresford, starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd, Patti LuPone
Rated PG

From Anjelica Huston, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ron Eldard, Glenne Headly, Lyle Lovett
Rated R

From Ramin Bahrani, starring Souleymane Sy Savane, Red West, Diana Franco Galindo, Lane 'Roc' Williams
Rated R

From Elia Kazan, starring Karl Malden, Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach, Mildred Dunnock
Rated Approved