Mississippi Burning Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two mismatched FBI agents solve a hate crime by, shockingly, hating even harder (but, like, strategically).

🍿 Mississippi Burning: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Disappearance in Mississippi

In 1964 Mississippi, three civil rights workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—disappear while investigating a church burning and voter registration efforts. The FBI dispatches agents Rupert Anderson and Alan Ward to investigate. Ward is young, by-the-book, and idealistic, while Anderson is a former Mississippi sheriff familiar with the local culture and willing to bend the rules.

Investigation and Rising Tensions

The agents encounter hostility and a wall of silence from the local white community, including the sheriff’s department. As the investigation progresses, black residents are intimidated and terrorized. The FBI’s presence increases tensions, leading to more violence and resistance from the Ku Klux Klan.

Unconventional Methods

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Anderson uses unconventional methods, including developing a relationship with Mrs. Pell, the wife of a deputy sheriff. Ward initially objects to these tactics, but eventually concedes that a more aggressive approach is necessary to break the conspiracy of silence and find the missing workers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anderson (Gene Hackman): A seasoned FBI agent and former Mississippi sheriff, Anderson uses his knowledge of the local culture and unconventional methods to investigate the disappearance of civil rights activists.
• Ward (Willem Dafoe): A young, by-the-book FBI agent, Ward initially clashes with Anderson over investigative tactics but eventually embraces his partner’s methods to solve the case.
• Mrs. Pell (Frances McDormand): The conflicted wife of Deputy Pell, Mrs. Pell provides crucial information to the FBI, risking her safety and well-being.
• Deputy Pell (Brad Dourif): A racist deputy sheriff, Pell is directly involved in the murders of the civil rights workers and represents the deeply ingrained prejudice of the community.
• Mayor Tilman (R. Lee Ermey): The mayor of the town who is complicit in the KKK’s activities and represents the establishment’s support for racial segregation.
• Frank Bailey (Michael Rooker): As a violent KKK member, Frank Bailey is directly involved in the murders and symbolizes the brutality of the organization.
• Townley (Stephen Tobolowsky): As a Grand Wizard of the KKK, Townley embodies the hate and bigotry that fueled the violence against civil rights activists.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Anderson: “If you ain’t better than a nigger, son, who are you better than?” – Anderson recounts his father’s racist words, revealing the deeply ingrained prejudice of the time.
• Ward: “Where does it come from? All this hatred?” – Ward expresses his bewilderment at the pervasive and virulent racism he encounters in Mississippi.
• Anderson: “You know, you have to pull it apart from the inside.” – Anderson explains his strategy for solving the case, emphasizing the need to understand and exploit the local culture.
• Mrs. Pell: “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” – Mrs. Pell reveals her growing disillusionment with the racist environment and her desire for change.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $34,603,943
• Worldwide Gross: $34,603,943

💥 Mississippi Burning Reviews

Personal Review

Mississippi Burning is a movie that stuck with me long after I watched it. The performances are just outstanding, and the way it shows the raw reality of racism in the 60s is both powerful and disturbing. I found myself really invested in the characters and their struggle to find justice in such a hateful environment. That scene in the barbershop with Hackman and Dourif was incredibly intense. It’s definitely not an easy watch, but it’s an important one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in the Civil Rights Movement”
  • “Those who appreciate strong acting performances”
  • “People who enjoy crime thrillers with a social message”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence”
  • “Racial slurs and hate speech”
  • “Scenes of intimidation and brutality”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Mississippi Burning is a gripping and disturbing crime drama that explores the dark side of American history. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe deliver outstanding performances, and Alan Parker’s direction is both powerful and unsettling. The movie can feel exploitative, but it never fails to leave a lasting impact.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert praised the performances, direction, and cinematography, noting the film’s effectiveness in portraying the atmosphere of racial tension in the South. He wrote that ‘Mississippi Burning’ is a powerful and disturbing film that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
• GoldDerby: “Gene Hackman gives one of his best performances and delivers his best work. With Frances McDormand delivering a beautifully understated, powerful performance as the deputy’s wife – a woman at war with her sense of right and wrong, struggling with fear and loyalty. Her character is the centerpiece of the movie.

Audience Reactions

Gene Hackman’s performance is unforgettable.: Viewers praised the film’s intensity and its unflinching portrayal of racism.

Frances McDormand’s portrayal was moving.: Many felt the movie was a powerful and important, despite some historical inaccuracies.

Overall Consensus: Mississippi Burning is a powerful, albeit controversial, film that explores the complexities of race and justice in the American South, driven by strong performances and intense direction.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1989

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is inspired by the real-life murders of civil rights activists James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman in 1964.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe spent time with real FBI agents, learning about their investigative techniques and the challenges they faced.”
• “Alan Parker wanted to cast mostly unknown actors for the supporting roles to give the film a sense of realism.”
• “The use of Mahalia Jackson’s gospel music was a deliberate choice to reflect the cultural and spiritual strength of the African American community during the Civil Rights Movement.”
• “Several scenes were filmed in Mississippi to capture the authentic atmosphere of the Deep South during the 1960s.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mississippi Burning?

Mississippi Burning is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Some platforms may offer it as part of a subscription or for individual purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mississippi Burning, you might like these similar films:

• A Time to Kill (1996): Deals with racial prejudice and justice in the South, featuring a compelling courtroom drama.
• Malcolm X (1992): Explores the Civil Rights era, focusing on the life and struggle of a prominent African American leader.
• The Help (2011): Offers a look at race relationships in 1960s Mississippi from the perspective of black maids working for white families.
• In the Heat of the Night (1967): A black detective from the north finds himself investigating a murder in a racist southern town.
• Hidden Figures (2016): Highlights the contributions of African American women to the space race while dealing with segregation and discrimination.

🛒 Mississippi Burning Related Products

• Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years 1954-1965: Six-part documentary series available on Amazon Prime Video, providing comprehensive historical context for the Civil Rights Movement. It’s more fact-based and allows a more comprehensive view of historical events.
• Civil Rights Movement Merchandise: Assorted Civil Rights movement-themed posters, T-shirts and items. T-shirts feature inspirational designs, posters showcase iconic historical moments.
• Bandai Tamashii Nations Movie Realization Ronin Wolverine: The action figure comes with interchangeable hands, katanas, claws, and a display stand. This is a highly detailed, articulated figure, designed for collectors and display.
• Frances McDormand Signed Photo: High-quality autographed photo of Frances McDormand as Mrs. Pell in ‘Mississippi Burning’. Comes with certificate of authenticity from trusted sports memorabilia dealer.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mississippi Burning features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” – performed by Mahalia Jackson
• “Funny How Time Slips Away” – performed by Willie Nelson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Who Were the Freedom Riders? | The Civil Rights Movement

Before digging into ‘Mississippi Burning,’ watch this video to learn about the real-life heroes who fought for civil rights and inspired the film’s events.

Ida B. Wells: Crash Course Black American History #20

Dive deeper into the historical backdrop of ‘Mississippi Burning’ with this fascinating video about Ida B. Wells and her tireless fight against racial injustice.

Harvey and Mike’s Pop Culture Shorts | Quiz Time! | Season 1 | Movies in Suits | Suits

Curious about how ‘Mississippi Burning’ made its mark? Check out this video where fans try to guess the movie quotes that made it into the hit TV show, ‘Suits.’

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