Mississippi Burning [DVD] [1988]

You've just got to watch Gene Hackman and Willem Defoe in this. Defoe plays the prissy politically correct FBI man investigating racial murders in Mississippi. Hackman plays his worldly junior partner - he's from the South himself, imperfect, tough but with a big heart. There is conflict between the two personalities and their investigatory methods. There is a massive and dangerous conflict between the two of them and the corrupt town establishment in Mississippi which they are investigating. Some of the scenes and sayings will stick in my mind for ever. One of the best films ever made. I'm still amazed to this day when I get blank stares after I've asked someone have they seen Mississipi Burning.

An education in itself, this film carries an historical message that, hopefully, few can live with. My son is 45 yrs old, has been brought up in a cosmopolitan society and accepts race and creed without question, but it wasn't always like that. My grandmother wouldn't share a bus with a Black person. The extent to which this hatred and racism ran in the US of A is beyond comprehension ... yet, it is now part of their history. Today, they are brave enough to make a film that portrays the true extent of this racism and tell the story. Cleverly directed, beautifully acted and utterly shocking, yet inescapable. Surely, this must become a classic.

One of my favourite movies of all time. I hadn't seen it for some time and caught it late on one night and decided to buy own copy. Gene Hackman is terrific as the ex Southern sheriff who is now FBI with Willem Dafoe the younger more idealistic lead agent sent to investigate the disappearance and possible murder of 3 young activists in the Civil Rights movement. Eventually Dafoe has to compromise his principles and allow Hackman to use less than legal methods to flush out the local KKK members including the local sheriff to bring the baddies to justice. Hackman justifies this approach given the wall of silence which meets the official FBI investigation team. The turning point is when Hackman stages the kidnap of the local KKK leader and is confronted by a tall Negro who is looking for revenge following the castration of a young black man from years ago. Watch and enjoy.

Strange to say that a film covering this subject matter is 'entertaining' but that's what it is. A quite savage depiction of hate and bigotry and the efforts to solve a real life crime in this pervasive atmosphere. It is handled in such a way as to appeal beyond a documentary style film and this no doubt led to far more people being made aware of this shocking crime. Required viewing!

What a fantastic film, Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe at their best, goes into the problem that occurred in the deep south involving the Klu Klux Klan. I have watched it a few times already. Truly great film

I LOVED THIS THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT AND STILL DO,IT TACKLES RACISM AND POVERTY AND IGNORANCE........THE SAME THINGS THAT AFFECT US ALL STILL AND WE TAKE OUR FRUSTRATIONS OUT ON OTHER RACES INSTEAD OF THE GREEDY SO N SOWS RESPONSIBLE,ALSO IT SHOWS HOW RACISM IS TAUGHT BY PIG IGNORANT PARENTS AND JUST PLAIN NASTY BULLIES N COWARDS. HACKMAN PLAYS A BLINDER AND DISHES OUT THE KARMA TO THE LITTLE NASTIES IN THIS HICK TOWN. PRICELESS.

A great thriller set during the 60s in Deep South USA, where racism was rife, and the KKK were trying to run things in a racist way.

POOR QUALITY PRODUCT This DVD was very satisfactory - it was of very poor quality, towards the end of the film it kept 'sticking', making it very awkward viewing