Mississippi Burning (1988)
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Mississippi Burning is an all-names-changed dramatization of the Ku Klux Klan's murders of three civil rights workers in 1964. Investigating the mysterious disappearances of the three activists are FBI agents Gene Hackman (older, wiser) and Willem Dafoe (younger, idealistic). A Southerner himself, Hackman charms and cajoles his way through the tight-lipped residents of a dusty Mississippi town while Dafoe acts upon the evidence gleaned by his partner. Hackman solves the case by exerting his influence upon beauty-parlor worker Frances McDormand, who wishes to exact revenge for the beatings inflicted upon her by her Klan-connected husband Brad Dourif. Many critics took the film to task for its implication that the Civil Rights movement might never have gained momentum without its white participants; nor were the critics happy that the FBI was shown to utilize tactics as brutal as the Klan's. The title Mississippi Burning is certainly appropriate: nearly half the film is taken up with scenes of smoke and flame. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, (more)
- Director(s):
- Alan Parker
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Mississippi Burning
Mississippi Burning is an all-names-changed dramatization of the Ku Klux Klan's murders of three civil rights workers in 1964. Investigating the mysterious disappearances of the three activists are FBI agents Gene Hackman (older, wiser) and Willem Dafoe (younger, idealistic). A Southerner himself, Hackman charms and cajoles his way through the tight-lipped residents of a dusty Mississippi town while Dafoe acts upon the evidence gleaned by his partner. Hackman solves the case by exerting his influence upon beauty-parlor worker Frances McDormand, who wishes to exact revenge for the beatings inflicted upon her by her Klan-connected husband Brad Dourif. Many critics took the film to task for its implication that the Civil Rights movement might never have gained momentum without its white participants; nor were the critics happy that the FBI was shown to utilize tactics as brutal as the Klan's. The title Mississippi Burning is certainly appropriate: nearly half the film is taken up with scenes of smoke and flame. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 127 mins
Complete Cast of Mississippi Burning
- Gene Hackman - Rupert Anderson
- Frances McDormand - Mrs. Pell
- R. Lee Ermey - Mayor Tilman
- Stephen Tobolowsky - Townley
- Pruitt Taylor Vince - Lester Cowens
- Kevin Dunn - Agent Bird
- Tobin Bell - Agent Stokes
- Doug Jackson - Reporter
- James Lloyd - SNCC Interviewee
- James Arnold Mayes - Interviewee
- Gladys Greer - Hattie
- Simeon Teague - Obie Walker
- Pat Funderburk - Pell Maid
- Mark Jeffrey Miller - Fire Bomber
- Jesse Merle Speaks - Pecan Vendor
- Dwight Boyd - Interviewee
- Larry Shuler - Earl Cooke
- Ralnardo Davis - Willie
- Stanley W. Collins - Hollis
- Frederick Zollo - Reporter
- Frankie R. Faison - Eulogist
- Dan Desmond - TV Commentator
- Alisa R. Patrick - Church Soloist
- Park Overall - Connie
- Billie Jean Young - Mrs. Williams
- Dianne Lancaster - Waitress
- Charles Franzen - Interviewer & Reporter
- Harry S. Franklin - SNCC Interviewer
- Brenda Dunlap - Mrs. Cowens
- Rick Zieff - Passenger
- Ed Geldart - Fire Bomber
- Ken Magee - Agent Reilly
- Virginia Bennett - SNCC Interviewee
- Judy Sasser - Neighbor Woman
- George Mason - Farmer
- Lannie Spann McBride - Gospel Singer
- Marc Clement - Floyd Swilley
- Daniel Winford - Fennis
- Willem Dafoe - Alan Ward
- Brad Dourif - Deputy Pell
- Gailard Sartain - Sheriff Stuckey
- Michael Rooker - Frank Bailey
- Badja Djola - Agent Monk
- Jake Gipson - Mose
- Ron de Roxtra - Reporter
- Tom Mason - Judge
- Gary Moody - Reporter
- Daniel Chapman - Agent MacMillan
- John P. Fertitta - TV Commentator
- James F. Moore - Barber
- Linda Fuller - Interviewee
- Paul Saveles - Trooper
- Barry Davis Jim Sr. - Choctaw Man
- Tonea Stewart - Mrs. Walker
- Robert Glaudini - Agent Nash
- Zeke Davidson - Lawyer
- Stephen Wesley Bridgewater - Wesley Cooke
- Lou Walker - Vertis Williams
- James Eric - Fire Bomber
- Georgia F. Wise - Beauty Parlor Woman
- Rick Washburne - Agent Brodsky
- Geoffrey Nauffts - Goatee
- E.A. Thrall - Agent Tubbs
- Cullen Gilliland - Lawyer
- Barbara Gibson - Church Soloist
- George Isbell - Interviewee
- Lois Allen - Beauty Parlor Woman
- John Brook - Reporter
- Bernice Poindexter - Grieving Mother
- Mert Hatfield - Fire Bomber
- Robert F. Colesberry - Cameraman
- Rev. Harry Quick - Doctor
- Ethel L. Mayes - Interviewee
- Robert Erickson - Reporter
- Darius McCrary - Aaron Williams
- Bob Penny - Curtis Foy
- Director(s):
- Alan Parker
- Writer(s):
- Alan Parker, Chris Gerolmo
- Producer(s):
- Robert F. Colesberry, Frederick Zollo
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Language, Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Profanity)
- 1989 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Best Actor
- 1989 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Editing Award
- 1989 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Cinematography
- 1990 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Sound Award
- 1989 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Sound Award
- 1990 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Sound Award
- 1988 - National Board of Review - Best Director
- 1988 - National Board of Review - Best Actor
- 1988 - National Board of Review - Best Picture
- 1988 - National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actress
Warning:
This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language.
You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at
least 17 years of age.
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