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Mississippi Burning
1988 128 min United States of America R 16+
★8.1
Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Alan Parker
Trailers
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Description
Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his partner, a former sheriff.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$34.6M
Worldwide:
$34.6M
Starring
Gene Hackman
Actor
Willem Dafoe
Actor
Frances McDormand
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1990
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 1990
— Best Sound
BAFTA 1990
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 1990
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1989
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1989
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1990
— Best Original Score
Berlin International Film Festival 1989
— Silver Bear – Best Actor
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Cinematography
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Supporting Actress
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1989
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1989
— Best Actor (Drama)
Berlin International Film Festival 1989
— Golden Bear
Key opinion
Mississippi Burning is widely regarded as a powerful, unflinching examination of systemic racism and civil rights-era violence in the American South. While praised for its gritty realism and strong lead performances, the film is occasionally debated for its ideological bias and departure from historical nuance.
| Acting | Gene Hackman delivers a captivating, layered performance that acts as the film's emotional anchor. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively constructs a menacing, authentic atmosphere that underscores the period's racial tension. | |
| Direction | Alan Parker’s direction successfully maintains high narrative tension through a gritty, non-sentimental approach to violence. | |
| Theme | The film is a potent, uncompromising exploration of institutionalized hate and the moral responsibilities of the individual. | |
| Adaptation | Opinions on the narrative approach are divided: some praise the film as a brave, necessary exposé of injustice, while others critique it for functioning as one-sided, ideologically driven propaganda. |