Mississippi Burning

Two FBI agents go to Mississippi in 1964 to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists. Based on true events, this is an absorbing drama about one of the most explosive chapters of American history. Hackman is terrific as an agent who doesn't condone the racism, but understands the culture of hatred, having grown up in the South himself. Dafoe is equally good as a young agent who struggles to reconcile his idealistic views about justice with the reality he confronts. McDormand is also fine as the good wife of a redneck sheriff. Parker wisely uses a documentary approach to infuse the events with a sense of authenticity.

This film is a good,though not flawless representative of the turbulent 1960's south.The character representation is good,though taken to a bit of an extreme in places.Gene Hackman gives another knockout performance here,as he does always as does Willem Dafoe.The cast is great,though Gailard Sartain was a surprising choice as Sheriff Stuckey, given his penchant for appearing in the worst of films.It is based on a true story,and as we all know,true stories are never presented to perfection.It is,however,presented as well as it can be.This is a very gripping,edge of your seat film,and very well done.

Mississippi Burning is set in 1964 when three civil rights activists are murdered in a small town by the Ku Klux Klan… Two of them were white and one of them black…

Based on actual events in Philadelphia, the screenplay centers chiefly on the hostility relationship between the two FBI agents (Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe) sent down to the small Mississippi town to seek information about the vanishing of the three victims… Immediately upon their arrival, they are greeted with hostility by the local law enforcement and the town in general…

Dafoe's Ward— in charge of the case—comes off as the embodiment of everything those men in the south dislike about the "Yankees" who are coming down there commanding them how to act…

Anderson(Hackman), who was once a Mississippi officer himself, has a special feel for how to settle things with Southerners… He uses his charm to win the confidence of the friendly wife of a Klansman deputy, whom he suspects holds the key to unravel the details of the case…

The scenes between McDormand and Hackman are the best of the film… They dramatize how quickly two lonely people can match...

The film succeeds by being gripping, emotional, and disturbing… Alan parker graphically explores the hatred, motivations and mentality that were once flaming through the American society in the 60's.

This film takes place in the 60s, in the state of Mississipi, known for its ruthless discrimination suffered by the black people. Two FBI officers investigtate the mysterious disappearance of three civil rights activists, one is a young idealistic college kid (played by Willem Dafoe) under whom works a middle-aged man who's an ex-sheriff and was born and raised in a small Mississippi town (played by Gene Hackman). Now this plot may seem a bit ordinary these days even back in the day with many films addressing the same subject like Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and the beloved To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), but this film takes it to another level with its incredible acting, good writing and beautiful directing. The actors made me enjoy this movie, especially Gene Hackman, seriously this man is a legend, supported by a promising Dafoe and a young Frances McDormand. The contrast between the leading actors made the film pleasant to watch as they gave satisfying performances. The film itself was intense but touching and the story was effective, this is thanks to the director Alan Parker that has done a beautiful job.

What a great film. Hackman and dafoe amazing. Brilliant and moving story. Hasn't aged for me