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EspañolMISSISSIPPI BURNING
'''Mississippi Burning''' is a 1988 film based on the investigation into the real-life murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The movie focuses on two fictional FBI agents (portrayed by Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe) who investigate the murders. Gene Hackman's character is loosely based on the actions of FBI Agent John Proctor. Dafoe's character is very loosely based on FBI agent Joseph Sullivan.
The film also stars Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey and Gailard Sartain, and was written by Chris Gerolmo and directed by Alan Parker. It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hackman), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (McDormand), Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Sound.
The film has been criticized by many, including historian Howard Zinn, for its fictionalization of history. While FBI agents are presented as heroes who descend upon the town by the hundreds, in reality the FBI and the Justice Department only reluctantly protected civil rights workers and protesters and reportedly witnessed beatings without intervening.[1]
''Mississippi Burning'' was preceded in 1975 by a television docudrama titled '', depicting many of the same events. None of the movies used the real names of the murderers, due to legal considerations. Mississippi Burning never even mentions the names of the victims. They are referred to as "The Boys" The film presents the policeman's wife as the informant. The identity of the real informant - known as "Mr. X." was a closely held secret for 40 years. In the process of reopening the case, journalist Jerry Mitchell and teacher Barry Bradford uncovered his real name.[2]
While the film produced an Academy award and several nominations, critics noted that blacks were portrayed in the film merely as victims who must rely on white heroes from the FBI to bring any of the criminals to justice. They point out that in a story in which black people and their struggle against injustice are paramount, there is no significant black character to represent the courage of African Americans of this period.
★ Two extras hired to play Naval Reservist searchers were nearly killed in Bovina, Mississippi, when they wandered from a temporary holding area onto a high-arch railroad bridge over the Big Black River. When a freight train came along, they escaped injury by huddling on a small pedestal on the edge of the bridge.
★ Scenes in the courtroom and in and around the Sheriff's office were filmed in the old Carroll County Courthouse in Vaiden, Mississippi. A dilapidated, early-19th Century structure, falling brickwork threatened principals, crew and extras. The courthouse was demolished a few years later. Lawyer/actor Thomas Mason played the judge in the courtroom scenes.
★ When filming began in 1988, people in Mississippi were excited to hear that Gene Hackman was going to do for Mississippi what he had done for Indiana with the 1987 film Hoosiers.
★ Scenes that were filmed around the courthouse square, in the FBI headquarters, barber shop and many others were filmed in LaFayette, Alabama, a small East Alabama town. Through some creative editing during the movie a car chase that took place around the court square in LaFayette lead actors to a railroad crossing that was edited in from parts elsewhere and did not exist in the town.
1. Howard Zinn, "Federal Bureau of Intimidation"
2. Jerry Mitchell, The Story Of The Real "Mr. X"
★
★ Information About The Real Life Case And How It Was Resolved
★ Biography of Sam Bowers
The film also stars Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey and Gailard Sartain, and was written by Chris Gerolmo and directed by Alan Parker. It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hackman), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (McDormand), Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Sound.
The film has been criticized by many, including historian Howard Zinn, for its fictionalization of history. While FBI agents are presented as heroes who descend upon the town by the hundreds, in reality the FBI and the Justice Department only reluctantly protected civil rights workers and protesters and reportedly witnessed beatings without intervening.[1]
''Mississippi Burning'' was preceded in 1975 by a television docudrama titled '', depicting many of the same events. None of the movies used the real names of the murderers, due to legal considerations. Mississippi Burning never even mentions the names of the victims. They are referred to as "The Boys" The film presents the policeman's wife as the informant. The identity of the real informant - known as "Mr. X." was a closely held secret for 40 years. In the process of reopening the case, journalist Jerry Mitchell and teacher Barry Bradford uncovered his real name.[2]
While the film produced an Academy award and several nominations, critics noted that blacks were portrayed in the film merely as victims who must rely on white heroes from the FBI to bring any of the criminals to justice. They point out that in a story in which black people and their struggle against injustice are paramount, there is no significant black character to represent the courage of African Americans of this period.
| Contents |
| On the Set |
| References |
| External links |
On the Set
★ Two extras hired to play Naval Reservist searchers were nearly killed in Bovina, Mississippi, when they wandered from a temporary holding area onto a high-arch railroad bridge over the Big Black River. When a freight train came along, they escaped injury by huddling on a small pedestal on the edge of the bridge.
★ Scenes in the courtroom and in and around the Sheriff's office were filmed in the old Carroll County Courthouse in Vaiden, Mississippi. A dilapidated, early-19th Century structure, falling brickwork threatened principals, crew and extras. The courthouse was demolished a few years later. Lawyer/actor Thomas Mason played the judge in the courtroom scenes.
★ When filming began in 1988, people in Mississippi were excited to hear that Gene Hackman was going to do for Mississippi what he had done for Indiana with the 1987 film Hoosiers.
★ Scenes that were filmed around the courthouse square, in the FBI headquarters, barber shop and many others were filmed in LaFayette, Alabama, a small East Alabama town. Through some creative editing during the movie a car chase that took place around the court square in LaFayette lead actors to a railroad crossing that was edited in from parts elsewhere and did not exist in the town.
References
1. Howard Zinn, "Federal Bureau of Intimidation"
2. Jerry Mitchell, The Story Of The Real "Mr. X"
External links
★
★ Information About The Real Life Case And How It Was Resolved
★ Biography of Sam Bowers
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