Product Description
Just Mercy was recently recognized for the way the film expands circles of empathy according to recent studies. Greater Good recently highlighted the film and a recent study on its power. The original study can be found here.
Film runtime: 2 hours, 16 minutes.
Film rating: PG-13. Common Sense Media rates this film as appropriate for ages 13+.
Reviews: Read Video Librarian’s Just Mercy review.
Where to Watch: Watch it on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. Or buy the DVD or Blu-ray.
Literary Connections
- Our curriculum guide for Just Mercy and the film itself pair well with Bryan Stevenson’s memoir which inspired the film, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Also available in a version adapted for young adults, Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice.
- Some educators combine this film and our curriculum guide or the Student Learning Guide with To Kill A Mockingbird.
Just Mercy Curriculum Guide & Student Learning Guide
These resources can be used with clips from the film or even film references rather than showing the entire film.
Lesson 1: The “Nadir of Black History” (U.S. History)
Lesson 2: The Case of Walter McMillian (Film Literacy, English Language Arts)
Lesson 3: A Long Path to Justice (U.S. History, U.S. Government)
Lesson 4: Wrongful Convictions in Our Justice System (U.S. Government, Civics)
Preview Curriculum Guide</span
Facilitation Guidelines for Group Discussions
In this guide, you will find suggestions for leading productive conversations that broaden perspectives, encourage empathy, and build new paradigms for education. It is adaptable, flexible and useful for a variety of learning settings. We recommend pairing it with this film to create safe space for classroom engagement around these themes and subjects.
How to download your free resources
Related Resources
- Teaching Black History? Just Mercy lessons are part of our Black History Lesson Collection.
- “Bringing Books and Films Together to Inspire and Engage Students” from Video Librarian.
- “Teaching Historical and Current Events” from Video Librarian.
- Teaching with Primary Sources Through Film.
- Webinar: Learn more about teaching with Just Mercy with our free, on-demand, PD-credit webinar at Share My Lesson: Inequity in Criminal Justice: Teaching with the Film Just Mercy.
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Sustainable Development Goals
Journeys in Film supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about teaching with UN SDGs. This resource connects to the following SDGs.
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