Mississippi Burning

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Mississippi Burning

R

1989

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When a group of civil rights workers goes missing in a small Mississippi town, FBI agents Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) and Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) are sent in to investigate. Local authorities refuse to cooperate with them, and the African American community is afraid to, precipitating a clash between the two agents over strategy. As the situation becomes more volatile, the direct approach is abandoned in favor of more aggressive, hard-line tactics.

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Critics Consensus

Mississippi Burning draws on real-life tragedy to impart a worthy message with the measured control of an intelligent drama and the hard-hitting impact of a thriller.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 13, 2023

Each time I heard the pulsating music start working me up for the next bout of violence, I dreaded what was coming. The manipulation got to me, all right, but the only emotion I felt was hatred of the movie.

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Sean French

Sight & Sound

Jan 16, 2020

Parker has loudly claimed the right to fictionalise his subject matter, but he must not then use these fictions as evidence with which to hector us on the realities of law enforcement.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jan 2, 2019

0/4

Unfortunately, the central narrative premise of Mississippi Burning sets up the FBI as the sole heroic defender of the victims of southern racism in 1964, which is more than a little disgusting.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Mar 20, 2025

2.5/4

It’s bizarre to cheer on the abuse of civil rights in a movie ostensibly about advancing civil rights.

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Noah W. Griffin

The Crisis

Nov 14, 2023

By centering on a fictionalized account of the actual FBI involvement in solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of three civil rights workers, the film bypasses the black role in the Mississippi Civil Rights struggle.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 24, 2022

4.5/5

As a crime thriller “Mississippi Burning” maintains a simmering level of suspense. Interestingly the suspense lies more in how things play out rather than what the outcome will be.

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Oliver C

@OliverClose Oct 7, 2026

Mississippi Burning is a film about hatred, power, and the cost of looking away. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe give the story its force, with two men confronting a system built to protect violence. The writing cuts through the lies. The performances carry the rage. The film does not offer comfort. It shows what happens when fear becomes law and silence becomes permission.

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Orin D

@RT64117979 Oct 3, 2026

I have seen many of Hackman, Defoes & McDormand's flicks but this one stands out for its taut pace, excellent cinematography & great performances across the board. While I appreciate the great Pauline Kael's gripe w/ the film, I respectfully disagree! Alan Parker is to be congratulated on his fine direction. The local bigoted lawmen were all also very believable. as was Mayor Tilman & the KKK Grand Dragon. The locals who all wanted the "commie" "nigga-lovers" to go back north were convincingly evil! I recommend that you turn your friends on to this one for they will thank you! I myself will watch it gain somewhere down the line. This ends up looking like a fine documentary based as it is on the true story of Goodman, Schwerner & Chaney. Highly recommended. Watch it & marvel at its authenticity! Orin P. Domenico 325-735-4825

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 25, 2026

Mississippi Burning = a *4.5* star Movie!

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Peter C.

@peterc22 Jun 26, 2026

An infuriating masterpiece. Had me wanting more, would have been fine with a 3hr movie to see the trials of the people involved.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Jun 17, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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John L

@Jonas53 Feb 28, 2026

Great plot, great cast plus Aussie director. Riveting.

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Alan Parker

Director

Gene Hackman

Agent Rupert Anderson

Willem Dafoe

Agent Alan Ward

Frances McDormand

Mrs. Pell

Brad Dourif

Deputy Clinton Pell

R. Lee Ermey

Mayor Tilman

Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Welcome to Mississippi

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - We Into It Now, Boys

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Federal Bureau of Integration

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Eulogy

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Anderson's Way

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - The Burning Cross

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - A Razor-Sharp Interrogation

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Searching the Swamp

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Hatred Is Taught

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Mississippi Burning: Official Clip - Wringing Necks

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Synopsis

When a group of civil rights workers goes missing in a small Mississippi town, FBI agents Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) and Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) are sent in to investigate. Local authorities refuse to cooperate with them, and the African American community is afraid to, precipitating a clash between the two agents over strategy. As the situation becomes more volatile, the direct approach is abandoned in favor of more aggressive, hard-line tactics.

Director: Alan Parker
Producer: Robert F. Colesberry, Frederick Zollo
Screenwriter: Chris Gerolmo
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.7M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround

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