Mississippi Burning (1988)

 Mississippi Burning (1988)

Mississippi Burning is one of the best American films of 1988. It is a harrowing police drama inspired by the Ku Klux Klan murders of three civil right activists: James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. Alan Parker, as you might recall in his excellent 1978 drama Midnight Express, is fantastic at telling stories about the human condition as influenced by big bullies. Of course, the racist Southern Klan members are the big bullies here. In 1988, there was big controversy surrounding the film as people accused the film of being one of those “white savior” films. I get the justifications, but this is no documentary. This is a work of fiction that takes liberties with the truth to create a movie that not only entertains, but also scares you and make you laugh. Still, Parker does give his audience an idea what living in rural 1964 Mississippi can be like. And as for everything going on in the world today, this film holds a sense of relevance.

Parker’s magna opus, as some people have described the film, was a huge awards player come Oscar time. In addition to the amazing performances, I will never forget the striking images thanks to Peter Biziou’s camera direction. The searing, flaming crosses, how the audience views the murder of the three men, etc. are images that will be implanted in your brain. The 1960’s is an altering year for the United States because of the Civil Rights Movement. Biziou’s cinematography reflects the changing attitude and the resistance to this change. Between the cinematography, the thoughtful and well-researched screenplay from Chris Gerolmo, and the competent direction from Parker, this is a must-see film about an important time in our history.

The movie came to be in 1985 when Gerolmo got his hands on a book about the FBI’s investigation into the actual case. He wrote a draft of the script and later sold it to Orion. There were some interesting initial director choices such as Milos Forman and John Schlesinger, but Parker was the one who landed the role. As someone who knows all about the human spirit in extreme situations, he was a good choice to helm the project. Lots of research was put forth into the role. In the 2000’s, we learn who the real Mr. X (the case’s whistleblower if you will) was. But Gerolmo used Hollywood creativity to come up with who he thought Mr. X was, which allowed him to use Frances McDormand’s character as film’s moral character.

It is 1964. Three Civil Right Activists from the North have disappeared after trying to help change voter laws. The FBI is sent to investigate. Agent Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) does everything by the book. His partner, Agent Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) does not. Anderson is a former sheriff, and he understands the way of living down here. They keep their focus on Deputy Pell (Brad Dourif) and his wife (Frances McDormand). As the investigation continues, the local KKK outfit attack the African-American community. With no one on any side talking, Anderson is allowed to proceed with the investigation in any matter he sees fit.

Great performances are abound here. Dafoe shows his range very easily as one movie he plays Jesus Christ and the next movie he plays a completely different role to great results. Even better were Gene Hackman (a legend) and Frances McDormand (the film’s moral center). These two have fantastic chemistry with one another. Hackman’s performance is more subtle, but you realize that he is growing fond of her and wants to take her away from the big, bad man that is her husband. In terms of the bad guys, Michael Rooker and Brad Dourif have made careers playing these types. Very effective!

Overall, Mississippi Burning is a movie that should be seen. It is one of my favorite films of 1988 as it tells an incredibly important, relevant story. I would ignore these “white-washing” comments because it is a story of fiction. I would be very concerned otherwise. The intense, dramatic moments and images have been seared in my brain and they will be hard to forget. I became emotionally invested into the movie, and I am sure you will too. If you like Alan Parker’s previous movies like Midnight Express or Angel Heart, you are going to like this one.

My Grade: A