As a historian and a child of the 60s, I’ve always been captivated by the raw, unfiltered portrayal of history in films. And when it comes to Alan Parker’s “Mississippi Burning,” I find myself deeply moved and profoundly affected.
1988 marked the beginning of the unwinding of Cold War tensions and the end of a decade characterized by indulgence and decay. During this period, moviegoers flocked to cinemas to watch “Mississippi Burning,” a film directed by Alan Parker, best known for his work on “Pink Floyd: The Wall” and “Angelheart.” Starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Brad Dourif, Frances McDormand, and Michael Rooker, the movie portrayed domestic terrorism, rampant violence, oppression, and a murder investigation led by two FBI agents. The film was praised by critic Roger Ebert as an “important reminder” of a specific era and condition that should not be forgotten.
Roger Ebert’s 4/4-star review of “Mississippi Burning” finds the words particularly moving due to the subject matter presented in Parker’s film. The movie is based on real events that unfolded during a period when the fight for equality and civil rights was met with intense resistance from hate groups like the KKK, as well as deeply ingrained institutions of racism and segregation. The tale behind “Mississippi Burning” is one of murder, an alliance between a hate group and local law enforcement, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
Just like many movies inspired by real-life incidents, some creative freedom was exercised. However, the portrayal of Mississippi’s atmosphere in 1964, as depicted by Parker, serves as a powerful reminder of a crucial moment in American history.
A Senseless Murder to Preserve a Racist Institution
Although the actual incidents initiating the investigation portrayed in Mississippi Burning are only briefly mentioned at the beginning, the movie primarily concentrates on FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe), as they hunt for three missing civil rights workers and confront the challenges posed by the Klan, who have powerful connections with local law enforcement. The untold story, which is left out of the film, may be equally or even more captivating than the events portrayed within the movie’s boundaries.
1964 saw a significant event known as “Freedom Summer,” during which numerous college students from the northern states made an effort to register many African-American voters in the southern regions. Two of these students actively engaged in this voter registration campaign were Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. While they, along with local resident James Chaney, were working on registering African American voters, they were stopped by police for suspected speeding on June 21, 1964.
In Philadelphia, Mississippi, the trio spent a short spell in custody, but were soon released, tragically met with violence by Ku Klux Klan members who had been informed by local law enforcement. This event triggered a large-scale FBI investigation. Utilizing strategies to weaken the Klan’s influence and employing confidential informants, the bodies were eventually discovered hidden under an embankment dam. Although some justice was served through convictions for civil rights violations, none of the perpetrators were found guilty of murder. Most of the convicted received sentences of 10 years, with many being released on parole well before completing their terms.
To some, it may seem hard to believe that issues like segregation and law enforcement overlooking, or even aiding, hate groups linked with domestic terrorism could happen. However, the murders of Chaney, Schwerner, and Goodman were merely one example among many acts committed in the name of preserving institutionalized racism.
As a movie reviewer reflecting on the timeless drama “Mississippi Burning,” I’ve been left pondering the chilling reality that the assassinations of trailblazers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers serve as stark reminders of the extremes some would take to hinder equality for all Americans.
Stark Portrayals of Terrorism and Racial Injustice
In my view as a director, when it comes to transforming true stories into movies for mainstream audiences, there’s often a tricky balance to strike. While raw truth can be more compelling than fiction, what audiences usually crave is a tale that grabs their attention and maintains it. Consequently, at times, creative liberties must be taken and certain events may need to be left out in order to strengthen the film’s central storyline.
The book Mississippi Burning opens and closes with the murders of civil rights workers and the subsequent convictions of Klan members and law enforcement officials. The main storyline revolves around the investigation into the Klan, highlighting the distinct approaches of the two FBI agents handling the case.
In Mississippi Burning, Parker meticulously portrays the turbulent atmosphere of Mississippi in 1964, a world marked by violence and racial tension, as the civilized and primitive worlds clash.
The Ku Klux Klan’s heinous acts of bombings, arson, terrorism, and murders aimed at obstructing African Americans from voting and upholding segregation are graphically portrayed for their brutal intensity. For those unfamiliar with the tumultuous struggle towards equality during the civil rights era, this HBO series immerses them into a fiery ordeal, offering a raw, eye-opening glimpse into a particularly harsh chapter of 20th-century American history, characterized by unrelenting cruelty.
Do We Get Enough of the True Story?
A frequent complaint about the movie “Mississippi Burning” when it first came out, and one that remains valid today, is that while it aims to depict the sorrowful events and open hostility of such a turbulent era effectively, it tends to spend too much time on the investigation aspect and not give enough attention to the challenges faced by the civil rights movement.
The evaluation offered by numerous critics carries weight, as Parker’s film effectively showcases how unchecked prejudiced institutions can foster a sinister aspect of humanity and encourages complicity among those nearby, who enable those determined to preserve them. In essence, this scenario echoes the sentiment often attributed to Edmund Burke: “The success of evil is when good people choose inaction.
The movie “Mississippi Burning” deserves recognition for its authentic portrayal of history and its insightful observations on how prejudice persists, especially when passed down to younger generations. Director Alan Parker, being raised in the American South, often reflects the atmosphere of his upbringing, where faults and imperfections are too often attributed to others. The film’s strengths significantly outshine its weaknesses, making it a valuable resource for understanding a time that must never be forgotten.
A Film to Help Us Remember
In Elie Wiesel’s novel “Night,” he, as an author and Holocaust survivor, penned, “Not to remember the dead would be like killing them a second time.” The significance of recalling history, whether it happened recently or long ago, is crucial for human understanding. Although Alan Parker’s film on Freedom Summer and the events in Mississippi during 1964 may not cover every detail, its ability to illuminate such a turbulent historical period, nearly four decades after its initial release, deserves appreciation and recognition.
In today’s world, where remnants of systemic racism continue to persist, the film Mississippi Burning offers a stark portrayal of a time when such institutions were particularly intense. Director Alan Parker takes us back to our past, showing us how far we’ve come, but also underscoring that there is still much work to be done. The echoes and residue from the era depicted in Mississippi Burning have not completely vanished, and it’s crucial to stay alert to prevent them from reigniting hate in future generations. Watch it for free on Tubi.
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2024-11-17 04:02