Mississippi Burning Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Hackman's finest hour.

Alan Parker's disturbing depiction of America's deep south is perhaps his finest acheivement to date. Gene Hackman's menacing though powerful portrayal of Agent Rupert Anderson is most certainly his!

Hackman's finest performance?

This is a film that treads on very volatile subject matter, something that Alan Parker is no stranger to. Mississippi Burning is very graphic in it's protrayal of the murder of 3 civil rights activists and the subsequent investigation by the FBI and does not shy away from telling you how it was during the 50s in the deep south.

It also contains probably Gene Hackman's finest cinematic performance, at least on a level with The French Connection. Watch at his every movement from his eyes to holding 2 fingers out to show he wants two sugars in his iced tea. A genius at work. His visit to the local Klans water hole is one of the best cinematic scenes ever.

The supporting cast - Willem Dafoe is a joy to behold as is R. Lee Ermey as the local Mayor. With career defining performances from Frances Mcdormand, Brad Dourif, Michael Rooker and Gailard Sartain & Pruitt Taylor Vince.

Watch is again and again. It will lose none of it's raw visceral power.

very good 80s film

very good klu klux klan racist film which is of more relevance today, Mississippi burning shown the plight of the blacks treated as second class citizens, and should they step out of line brutally murdered or beaten, until that is the fbi investigate, based on a true story, not full of action, but a very good thought provoking film

Brilliant

Ok I missed this the first time and the numerous other times it came round but thought it was absolutely brilliant. Lots of issues to cover and very good acting and yep certainly put me off visiting the deep South.

Excellent Film

Well worth watching, racisum is not the best film topic, but this film really does show the deep hatred that was in the deep south at the time. A must see film.

Truth Burning

Patronising and thoroughlyinaccurate account of aspectst of the Civil Rights Movement. Firstly, it seems to claim that white people, typified by agents of the FBI, led the fight against racism and segregation. Secondly, it completely overlooks the fact that the US government and the FBI hampered black people's fight against racism by, for example, by threatening the life of, and trying to destroy the reputation of Martin Luther King.

In the same way that the film 'Rocky' re-worked the true of iconic black boxer Cassius Clay's victories into one where a white Italian beats a black boxer based on Cassius - the Hollywood film industry showed it can't really accept the concept of a proud, heroic black person.

Not Bad

It's an old film now but still worth a watch.

VERY GOOD

This is a good film about the racism, prejudice and violence against black people that dominated the south of America during the 1960's. The film shows peoples sickening attitudes and is historical in the effect that it shows the Klu Klux Klan organisation. Good is also derived from the film as guilty members are sentenced to jail at the end of the film which shows that evil doesn't prevail. It's amazing how corrupt a lot of America was only fourty years ago and this should serve as a warning to future generations, has racism really been solved? Hackman is watchable as ever and Defoe who was learning his trade at this point does well. Good direction by Parker.

I really enjoyed this film, its story was brilliant and very interesting and the acting by Gene Hackman was excellent.

Powerful

Powerful drama. Makes you angry to know that the kind of hatred and segregation portrayed in the film existed. Hackman and Defoe are brilliant and the film is very affecting.