Mississippi Burning (1988)

Two F.B.I. Agents, with wildly different styles, arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer:

Chris Gerolmo

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand

Won 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Hackman	...	Anderson
Willem Dafoe	...	Ward
Frances McDormand	...	Mrs. Pell
Brad Dourif	...	Deputy Pell
R. Lee Ermey	...	Mayor Tilman
Gailard Sartain	...	Sheriff Stuckey
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Townley
Michael Rooker	...	Frank Bailey
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Lester Cowens
Badja Djola	...	Agent Monk
Kevin Dunn	...	Agent Bird
Frankie Faison	...	Eulogist
Thomas B. Mason	...	Judge (as Tom Mason)
Geoffrey Nauffts	...	Goatee
Rick Zieff	...	Passenger

Storyline

Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his former Sheriff partner.

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Plot Keywords:

police | small town | 1960s | civil rights | mississippi | 

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Taglines:

1964. When America was at war with itself.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Three Lives for Mississippi

Filming Locations:

19 Alabama Avenue E, La Fayette, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$225,034, 11 December 1988, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$34,603,943, 31 December 1989

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was unofficially remade into an Indian film, Aakrosh (2010). The Indian version was mostly a scene-to-scene copy of the original.

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Goofs

When agents Anderson and Ward first arrive in town, the air in the street in front of the courthouse is full of dust clouds. However, when they park and leave their car, the air is clear.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Driver: Uh, oh.
Passenger: What is it?
Passenger: [seeing the car behind them] What do they want?
Driver: I don't know... just pass me... pass me...
Driver: [trying to identify the following car] Is it a cop?
Passenger: I can't see.
[they are hit from behind]
Driver: What the fuck are these jokers playin' at?
Rear passenger: Oh, they ain't playin', you better believe it.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Spise med Price: Are You Hungry Tonight (2010)

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Soundtracks

Making Believe
Words and Music by Jimmy Work
Performed by Kitty Wells
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

Sometimes rules need to be broken 9/10

Alan Parker's Mississippi Burning is an unflinching look at racism in the South. This is a very difficult movie to watch, but it is well worth it, and a reminder of past events -- events that should never be forgotten. Gene Hackman gives a power-house of a performance, ripping up the screen in every scene. The film has a strong supporting cast as well, including the always dynamic Michael Rooker.

Many have complained about the death-wish like final act, but the final results are completely called for and necessary.