Mississippi Burning (1988)

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:

Racial Segregation | Firebomb | Extreme Prejudice | Arson | White Anglo Saxon Protestant

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

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | 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:

Continuity: While interrogating Lester in a moving car, the background scenery suddenly indicates that the car is going backwards. This is evident as Lester looks over his shoulder and out the rear window.

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 "Over There: Mission Accomplished (#1.7)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Take My Hand Precious Lord

Dynamite in Celluloid Form.

A highly charged box of fireworks is the best way to describe "Mississippi Burning". It is 1964 and the Civil Rights Movement is tearing apart many areas in the deep south. Mississippi is definitely the hottest spot of all as the entire state seems to be split between whites and African Americans. After some white Civil Rights activists disappear, the FBI is called in to investigate (Oscar-nominee Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe). Naturally the sheriff's department is difficult to say the least and it appears that it may have even had a part in the apparent murders. Frances McDormand (Oscar-nominated) proved that she was a truly gifted actress as the wife of one of the local deputies (an evil Brad Dourif). Alan Parker's smart Oscar-nominated direction and the Oscar-winning cinematography give the film a tense feel that leaves its audience visibly shaken during and after its running time. A great achievement. Easily one of the finest films of the 1980s. 5 stars out of 5.