Mississippi Burning

The film essentially relies only on the interesting period in which it takes place, with the issues of racial segregation, harassment, and oppression of minorities. Alan Parker focuses primarily on the driving force behind this conflict: the Ku Klux Klan and its representatives. Some scenes are impressive, while others are unnecessarily drawn out. If you're expecting Gene Hackman to be his typical tough guy, you will be disappointed. He has a few such scenes, but otherwise, he is more like a witty old bachelor with a lot of sly remarks. The atmosphere of the small town and the fact that something is happening is solid, and fortunately, they didn't completely close the doors to brutality, so there is definitely something to watch, without embellishments or tricks. But it's not really worth watching a second time, the screenplay is simple and uncomfortably straightforward. (10/06/2007)

So this was an excellent two-hour film with high-principled Agent Ward and inventive Agent Anderson. As a duo, they would have been able to carry even a film with a weaker script. Even the story was well-written, and the movie didn't feel like it was thirty-five years old. It didn't even feel like it was about the events from the nearly sixty-year-old American South. The lessons to take from this film are still relevant. 4*+ (04/17/2023)

This was an unexpected surprise for me. I wasn't familiar with this film, but it's a very powerful drama about racism in America where you really realize how intense and vile the intolerance was, and maybe still is. The film has great acting performances, but above all, it is excellently filmed and handled in every aspect. An excellent experience! (03/01/2018)

Willem Defoe and Gene Hackman fight against redneck dumbness and prejudices in one of the best films I’ve seen in the last few weeks. It really makes me mad to see a (not only film) character that’s an utter idiot and shows their idiocy ostentatiously and with pride! Every time those rotten guardians of the law said anything, my blood started to boil. I’m giving it five stars for arousing such intense emotions, but even without taking that into account, this is still a great thriller that deserves nothing but praise. (09/04/2011)

For many people, this is probably an unknown film, but I’m damn glad I got to see it, as it's truly a cinematic treat. The theme itself grabbed my attention—there aren’t many films dealing with racial intolerance and the Ku Klux Klan in the southern US in the last century, so as a viewer, I appreciated the opportunity to broaden my understanding of the issue. Looking at Alan Parker’s filmography now, I’m not at all surprised that nearly all of his films have high ratings, as he is a real master. The film, in its overall execution and especially its approach, reminded me of films by Stone. Mississippi Burning boasts an excellently paced story based on true events. The lead duo was fantastic; Hackman’s acting skills are undeniable, and what he delivered here is unparalleled. His character was probably the best thing the film offered. Even the film’s atmosphere was chilling, and the dialogue between Hackman and Rooker was built up to a peak. I think I should start focusing on older films because there are so many, and now I know that some of them are definitely worth watching. Mississippi Burning is living proof of that, and I give it 91%. (04/12/2017)