Mississippi Burning (1989)

Under the slick, professional direction of Alan Parker, Mississippi Burning is the kind of film that will either draw you into its emotionally volatile sphere of influence or outrage you with its repugnant, manipulative revision of American civil rights history. The fact-based story brings two highly different FBI agents (Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe) to Mississippi to investigate the murders of three young black men who had been promoting black voter registration. The key to solving the murders is the testimony of a local deputy's wife (Frances McDormand) who is struggling to break free of her husband's racist influence. As critic Pauline Kael argued, "...the movie hinges on the ploy that the FBI men can't stop the Ku Klux Klan from its terrorism against blacks until they swing over to vigilante tactics. And we're put in the position of applauding the FBI's dirtiest forms of intimidation. This cheap gimmick undercuts the whole civil rights subject; it validates the terrorist methods of the Klan." Or you can take the view of Roger Ebert, who named Mississippi Burning "the best film of 1988"; it would earn seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Actor (Hackman), Supporting Actress (McDormand), and Director. Which reaction is most appropriate? Both are, depending on your particular point of view. At the very least the performances are dynamic, but there's more to this provocative film than fine acting. We suggest you check it out and form your own opinion. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

3 stars out of 4

The Bottom Line:

Neither historically accurate nor an effective police procedural, Mississippi Burning succeeds despite its flaws due to the fact that it can boast a trio of fine performances and an exquisite sense of atmosphere and menace. December 18, 2008

A poignant film highlighting our rights to justice...

My best friend and I had a discussion about Gene Hackman the other day, since both of us are huge fans. We were recounting some of our favorite Hackman performances (`Unforgiven', `Hoosiers') and I was suggesting to him Hackman films he needed to see (`The Royal Tenenbaums') and he was suggesting ones I needed to see (`Crimson Tide') and then we came to the subject of `Mississippi Burning' and realized that neither of us had seen it. So, I told him I was coming over and on my way I rented this film and we had a few beers and watched one of the best Hackman films either of us had ever seen.

Not just one of his best movies; one of his best performances!

`Mississippi Burning' (inspired by a true story) tells the tragic tale three young rights activists who were murdered in a small Mississippi town. Two white boys and one black, the local police department sweeps it under the rug, but when word that the boys are missing reaches the FBI two agents are sent to the town to investigate. Rupert Anderson is an ex-Mississippi sheriff himself and so he has a better idea of how to deal with the locals than his partner, the young and `by-the-book' agent Alan Ward. Alan is asking all the wrong questions at the wrong time to the wrong people and is stirring up more problems than he should; but Rupert is slinking around in the background, building trust with valuable witnesses who may in the end be able to help him tie up the loose ends.

The film is brilliantly crafted, building tension in all the right places and balancing out the violence with a brutal message of injustice and tolerance. There are so many technical aspects of this film that really grabbed me, like the use of gospel hymns during some of the more savage scenes; creating a mood, an air of melancholy as apposed to brutality. It is small touches like that that bring the film to another level, eliciting in the audience the desired emotional response. Sure, we are angered by what it taking place, but our anger is more repressed and tempered. We wind up more saddened and disappointed which, in my opinion, carries the weight of the film farther than just steeping our reaction in pure hatred.

Like Alan Ward brings to light towards the films closing; we are all guilty if we allow atrocities like this to happen; if we say nothing when we know we have the obligation to stand up for what we know is right.

The film is strengthened also by the marvelous performances that litter the screen, most notably by the two Oscar nominees; Gene Hackman and Frances McDormand. Frances is not on the screen for a very long time, but her control over her character is dominant. You can really feel her emotional connection to Mrs. Pell, her struggle to find steady ground as she tries to decide where her loyalties need to be staked. Gene Hackman is seriously at the top of his game here, delivering what may be his finest performance ever. I love the transformation his character makes, and this is seen in one particular scene where he joins a few suspects for a beer.

"Thanks for the beer."

The rest of the cast is equally impressive, from Willem Dafoe's stubborn take on Ward to Brad Dourif's devilishly squirmy Clinton Pell. R. Lee Ermey is magnificent as the corrupt Mayor and supporting players like Sartain, Rooker and especially Tobolowsky clutter the film with brilliance.

The film is an acting goldmine.

In the end I highly recommend this brilliant film. There is such a dark yet poignant message here that to me is universal. This is one of those films that, while broaching one particular subject, really opens itself up to a universally important message. The film is not merely a film about racism but a film about injustice and the obligation each living breathing human has to right wrongs, no matter how inconvenient that may be. This film is one that we do well to take to heart. October 20, 2008

So who do you hate?

This is a story of hate, deception, violence, intimadation, trickery, and brutality. First of all by the KKK, and then by the agents of the FBI who stoop to the level of their adversaries to win their case. So do two wrongs make a right? According to this movie they do. We can only hope that this is not an accurate accouting of what actually occurred. Is this fact or fiction? We may never know for sure. July 31, 2008

Mississippi Burning

It is my understanding there were folks in Mississippi who resented this film, saying it unfairly portrayed their state. History knows better. Blacks in that state as in other southern states endured murder, lynching,and having their homes and churches bombed or burned. The KKK was made up of "respectable citizens" who lived one way during the day and donned their hoods at night. There is a book COMING OF AGE IN MISSISSIPPI that was written by a young black girl who grew up there. She tells about the murder of her father who was walking home after working all day. He was shotgunned to death. No investigation was done, and no arrests were made. This move is one of the most powerful commentaries the deal with the terror and injustice that went on for decades. The three civil rights workers were murdered and "disappeared" on my 22nd birthday. That was a very turbulent time in our history. July 8, 2008

1960

Awesome plot, vulgar language may be excessive, not recommended for young viewers. Strong adult content. June 6, 2008

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