Mississippi Burning (1988)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer (WGA):

Chris Gerolmo (written by)

Release Date:

27 January 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

1964. When America was at war with itself.

Plot:

Two FBI agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Sheriff | Mississippi | Murder | Killer Cop

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 15 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Gene Hackman	...	Agent Rupert Anderson
Willem Dafoe	...	Agent Alan Ward
Frances McDormand	...	Mrs. Pell
Brad Dourif	...	Deputy Clinton Pell
R. Lee Ermey	...	Mayor Tilman
Gailard Sartain	...	Sheriff Ray Stuckey
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Clayton Townley
Michael Rooker	...	Frank Bailey
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Lester Cowans
Badja Djola	...	Agent Monk
Kevin Dunn	...	Agent Bird
Frankie Faison	...	Eulogist
Tom Mason	...	Judge
Geoffrey Nauffts	...	Goatee
Rick Zieff	...	Passenger

Also Known As:

Mississippi Burning - Die Wurzel des Hasses (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Arde Mississippi (Spain) [es]
Lángoló Mississippi (Hungary) [hu]
Misisipi u plamenu (Serbia) [sr]
Mississípi Em Chamas (Portugal) [pt]
Mississipi Em Chamas (Brazil) [pt]
Mississippi Boeret (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Mississippi Burning - le radici dell'odio (Italy) [it]
Mississippi brinner (Sweden) [sv]
Mississippi en llamas (Venezuela) [es]
Mississippi palaa (Finland) [fi]
Mississippi w ogniu (Poland) [pl]
Mississippi yaniyor (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
O mississipis kaigetai (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Braxton, Mississippi, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

A Klansman in a red car with tall fins and white roof throws a victim out the door in the town square. The car is a 1961 DeSoto, the very last edition of the historic make. In fall 1960, Chrysler made about 3000 DeSotos before they discontinued the line.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: In the barbershop when Agent Anderson is beating up Deputy Pell, the boom mic is clearly visible.

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.
[they are hit again]
Passenger: What're we gonna do?
Driver: I don't know... OK, hold on, you guys.
[he veers to a side road]
Passenger: There's a truck, too.
[the car behind them turns on its roof light]
Driver: Shit, it *is* a cop.
Passenger: Better stop.
Driver: OK, sit tight, you guys. Don't say anything; let me talk... All right? We'll be all right; just relax.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: James Franco/Kings of Leon (#34.2)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Making Believe

It broke my heart

Not saying this isn't an excellent film, it is just bluntly honest. I remember in English class in high school, we were learning about racism in the 60's, and how horrible it was. The worst part was that I am from a very racist town, unfortunately, and watching the beginning of the film terrified me because I felt like this world hadn't changed since I felt like I was living that film. Being one voice sometimes can either be helpful or get you into a lot of trouble.

I didn't want to see this film again because of the awful situations I saw or heard of. Now, I am out on my own, and I had the chance to see the movie once again, and felt that I could see it. It's a terrific and very powerful movie that can get anyone to cry unbearably. It's not just the actors, but Gene and William's characters, I wanted to be just like them, they were able to stand up even though the many times of being knocked down and caring so much just to try to in some way save that town.

I honestly feel that everyone should see this movie, it can change your life or make you look around and want to change things. I know this comment feels more like a lecture than a comment, but that's how much this movie got to me. I think we all can do something right in this world, it's just a matter or standing up. Even if this film isn't historically accurate, it's accurate enough to see how people treat other people. Hopefully, we will have a better future for generations to come.

9/10