Murder in Mississippi (1965)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Joseph P. Mawra

Writer:

Herbert S. Altman (writer)

Release Date:

October 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Sheila Britt	...	Carol Lee Byrd (as Sheilla Britton)
Sam Stewart	...	Phil Loving
Derek Crane	...	Sheriff Engstrom (as Derrek Crane)
Lew Stone	...	Luther Barnes
Martin St. John	...	Tyrone Carver
John Steel	...	Deputy Sheriff Bob Engstrom
Wayne Foster	...	Andy Loving
Richard Towers	...	Dick Byrd (as Dick Stone)
Otis Young	...	Paul Jackson
Irv Seldin	...	Bernie Meyers
Frank Philadelphia	...	Assistant U.S. Attorney
Millie Moran	...	Guitar Player
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lisa Donzell	...	Prostitute
Peter Hall	...	Agent Hahn
Alma Hubbard	...	Mrs. Moore
Barbara Johnson	...	Federal Commissioner
Tina Lewis	...	Sally Jones
Ella Washington	...	Emma Taylor
Larence Watson	...	Henry Taylor

Also Known As:

Murder Mississippi (USA)

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Tiger Productions

Misguided civil rights film

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

At times the film seems to belittle the role of its African-American characters. Placing them within a plot that is heavily concentrating on the dominant white thought towards civil rights. The African-American characters are somewhat shoved aside at the expense of the brutality directed towards them. Although it is possible to approach the issue of civil rights and race relations in this manner 'Murder in Mississippi' deals with the subject inappropriately. The oppressed few, a strategic selection of U.S students, are treated disproportionately. When accused of a crime by a federal body, in this case a bunch of small town police officers, the majority of screen time is dedicated to the female character. This seems rather odd, as at that point I thought the film was one dealing with race and the civil rights involved within it. And instead now it has chosen to pursue the issue of gender, yet allows in no way for a feminist stance to develop (the female judge could have invoked this but her persistent animosity is entirely misguided.) The subject matter skates from race to gender yet fails to allow either importance or stability. A misguided film, with numerous examples of awkwardly emphasised messages, of what I am not sure.

A note on cinematography- When composing a film, set within darkened rooms, using poor camera equipment, below par actors, and attempted realist lighting, why not at least attempt to have enough light in shot. At times I could not see anything happening on screen. In all seriousness, the African-American characters were themselves barely visible in scenes where there was light.

Avoid, or, if you're in my boat, and studying American Political Fictions, you may have no choice but to endure and humour it. (The courtroom scene is especially farcical)