Mississippi Burning
Directed by Alan Parker
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 former Sheriff partner.
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Mississippi Burning Ratings & Reviews
- flavo43January 3, 2026Mississippi Burning is a powerful and unsettling film that confronts the brutality of racial violence in 1960s America with unflinching intensity. It’s a story that reminds us how essential it is to remember the past—because the cruelty people inflict on one another must never be forgotten. The film evokes a complex mix of emotions: anger at the injustice, sadness for the victims, empathy for those fighting for change, and frustration at how far society still has to go. Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, and Frances McDormand deliver exceptional performances, grounding the film in humanity and moral urgency. Their work brings depth to an investigation shaped by fear, hatred, and courage. The final scene’s message—“not forgotten”—lingers long after the credits roll. It encapsulates the film’s purpose: to bear witness to tragedy while acknowledging the ongoing struggle for justice.
- DTSaitoSeptember 20, 2025Alan Parker’s Mississippi Burning is a gripping, if controversial, dramatization of the FBI investigation into the 1964 murders of three civil rights activists in Mississippi. With Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as mismatched FBI agents—one pragmatic, the other idealistic—the film captures the tension, fear, and hatred that defined the segregated South. The performances are outstanding: Hackman brings a weary toughness to his role, while Dafoe embodies righteous determination. Frances McDormand adds humanity in a quietly affecting performance. Visually, the film is powerful, using stark contrasts of burning churches, shadowy nightscapes, and small-town streets to underline the climate of terror. Yet, the film has drawn criticism for centering white law enforcement over the Black community’s struggle, a choice that risks sidelining the very people whose lives were most affected. Despite this, as a thriller and piece of social commentary, Mississippi Burning is both unsettling and engrossing, a reminder of America’s violent racial past—and how its echoes remain.
- Nahim WazirOctober 19, 2024I have enjoyed watching this weighty subject bought to life in a seriously crafted manner.High end drama.
Mississippi Burning Trivia
Mississippi Burning was released on December 9, 1988.
Mississippi Burning was directed by Alan Parker.
Mississippi Burning has a runtime of 2h 8m.
Mississippi Burning was produced by Robert F. Colesberry, Frederick Zollo.
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 former Sheriff partner.
The key characters in Mississippi Burning are Agent Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman), Agent Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe), Mrs. Pell (Frances McDormand).
Mississippi Burning is rated R.
Mississippi Burning is a Drama, Thriller, Crime film.
Mississippi Burning has an audience rating of 9 out of 10.
Mississippi Burning had a budget of $15M.
Mississippi Burning has made $34.6M at the box office.