To various remarks, some background, and regards Delacroix (minor spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2002)

Among all the literate, lovely remarks from all over the world, why must there always be some Yankophobe posting anti-American remarks about an American film? If you don't like American cinema, don't watch it. Would you insult Japanese cinema simply because it insists upon being Japanese?
Back to the film -- the story is, I personally believe, in part based on the case of Jude Affey, a black southern US man condemned to death by hanging in the early 1900s. He was called "Magic Jude Affey" because he apparently was able to snap the noose from around his neck, then run away, escaping hanging. In reality, it's widely believed, his jailers/wardens realized he was not guilty, and that the governor of the state had it "in" for him. They repeatedly arranged his escape - that's, at least, how the modern theory goes.
Now fancy that -- the story may well be true.
Film is about the exceptional in all people...to the best or worst in human character. This film is a parable, and should not be received as some social drama rendering reality as its perceived by the status quo. It drives home its own point, rendered with deeply good, common people. Such people exist everywhere, even in the US...even among my own people in the south, believe it or not.
Would that the wonderful character at the luminous heart of this story, have met a similar fate to Magic Affey's.
Incidentally, Delacroix was interpreted by Jeeter, unless I'm mistaken, as being Cajun. Given the region in which the story is set, that's somewhat likely. Cajun French bears the same resemblance to a continental French accent as a Texas brogue resembles a London accent.