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Is the movie Just Mercy (2019) based on a true story?

Emily Rodriguez Emily Rodriguez May 24, 2022 · 2 mins read
Is the movie Just Mercy (2019) based on a true story?
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Yes, the movie Just Mercy (2019) is based on a true story. It is based on the memoir of Bryan Stevenson, a civil rights attorney and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, who worked to overturn the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, a Black man sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. The movie depicts the racism and injustices prevalent in the legal system and is a powerful commentary on the need for criminal justice reform in America.

What is the true story behind the movie Just Mercy (2019)?

The movie Just Mercy is based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard-educated lawyer who helps wrongfully convicted prisoners on death row. The film focuses on the case of Walter McMillian, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of a white woman in Alabama in 1987, and sentenced to death.

Stevenson, played by Michael B. Jordan in the film, opens the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama, to provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. He takes on McMillian’s case and uncovers evidence of tampering with witness testimony, racial discrimination, and police misconduct during the investigation and trial.

Despite these findings, McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, remains on death row for six years until the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial. In 1993, McMillian was acquitted of all charges and finally released from prison.

The movie also highlights the racial and social inequalities in the criminal justice system, particularly in the deep south, and the dedicated work of Stevenson and his team to fight for justice and compassion for those who have been wrongly convicted.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Just Mercy (2019)?

Yes, the movie Just Mercy (2019) was based on the memoir Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. The book chronicles Stevenson’s experience as a lawyer, specifically working on the case of Walter McMillian, a Black man who was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama. The book also addresses larger themes of systemic racism within the justice system.

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Emily Rodriguez
Written by Emily Rodriguez
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