Two F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.Two F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.Two F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 17 wins & 24 nominations total
Thomas B. Mason
- Judge
- (as Tom Mason)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film is inspired by the murder of voting rights activists James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman by the Ku Klux Klan.
- GoofsWhen Anderson throws Pell into the chairs at the barbershop, Pell's stunt double has a different hairstyle (balding, with a comb-over).
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Naked Gun/Dakota/Mississippi Burning/Vincent (1988)
- SoundtracksTake My Hand Precious Lord
Words and Music by Thomas A. Dorsey
Performed by Mahalia Jackson
Courtesy of CBS Records
Featured review
Versatile depiction of reality - with evenly strong cast
This drama-thriller is loosely based on the FBI investigation into the real-life murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964, providing an additional value to anyway skillful plot (by Chris Gerolmo) and direction (by Alan Pakula). In comparison to other states, Mississippi was (and largely is) behind the times in many ways, and many crimes were launched or not disclosed due to overall mentality and indifference -- thus, community solidarity can have both good and bad elements. The movie shows how difficult is to investigate if people are at bay, and when certain activities are not perceived as felonies. The events are logical and catchy to follow, largely thanks to character actors like Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, and Brad Dourif who make a difference even while being briefly on screen -- no cute faces or politically correct solutions, but harsh and effective methods for solving a severe crime.
It is neither family movie not entertainment, but depiction of black spot in the US history after WWII. But laid out and performed well, without digital effects or long reasoning on human values.
It is neither family movie not entertainment, but depiction of black spot in the US history after WWII. But laid out and performed well, without digital effects or long reasoning on human values.
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- BeneCumb
- May 27, 2013
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Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $34,603,943
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $225,034
- Dec 11, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $34,603,943
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