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Mississippi Burning
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Synopsis
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, All Movie Guide

Cast

Willem Dafoe Alan Ward
Badja Djola Agent Monk
Brad Dourif Deputy Pell
Kevin Dunn Agent Bird
Gene Hackman Rupert Anderson
Frances McDormand Mrs. Pell
Michael Rooker Frank Bailey
Gailard Sartain Sheriff Stuckey
Pruitt Taylor Vince Lester Cowens
R. Lee Ermey Mayor Tilman
Stephen Tobolowsky Townley

Production Crew

John Willett Art Director
Howard Feuer Casting
Juliet Taylor Casting
Peter Biziou Cinematographer
Trevor Jones Composer (Music Score)
Aude Bronson-Howard Costume Designer
Alan Parker Director
Gerry Hambling Editor
Aldric La'Auli Porter First Assistant Director
David Forrest Makeup
Frederick Zollo Producer
Robert F. Colesberry Producer
Geoffrey Kirkland Production Designer
Philip Harrison Production Designer
Alan Parker Screenwriter
Chris Gerolmo Screenwriter
Jim Erickson Set Designer
Rick Kline Sound/Sound Designer
Stan Parks Special Effects
John Robotham Stunts
Year: 1988
Runtime: 127
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: R
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Orion

Release
December 09, 1988 (USA)
by Orion

Awards
1987 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1988 - Best Film (Drama) - Golden Globe
1988 - Best Picture - Academy
1988 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1988 - Best Picture - Academy
1988 - Best Picture - Academy
1989 - Sound Award - British Academy Awards
1990 - Sound Award - British Academy Awards
1990 - Sound Award - British Academy Awards