Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime drama film written by Chris Gerolmo, directed by the late Alan Parker; starring the late Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, the late R. Lee Ermey, Michael Rooker, and Stephen Tobolowsky. It is based on true events.
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.
Victims[]
- Unnamed Male Civil Rights Activist - Shot in the head by Frank Bailey with a revolver on the orders of Clayton Townley and Ray Stuckey.
- Unnamed Male Civil Rights Activist - Shot by either Frank Bailey, Clinton Pell, Floyd Swilley, or Wesley Cooke on the orders of Clayton Townley and Ray Stuckey off-screen.
- Unnamed Male Civil Rights Activist - Shot by either Frank Bailey, Clinton Pell, Floyd Swilley, or Wesley Cooke on the orders of Clayton Townley and Ray Stuckey off-screen.
- Monroe's Mule - Poisoned by Rupert Anderson's father prior to the film, mentioned.
- At Least Three Cows - Burned alive when Frank Bailey, Floyd Swilley, Wesley Cooke, and Lester Cowens set the Williams' family barn on fire.
- Horse - Burned alive when Frank Bailey, Floyd Swilley, Wesley Cooke, and Lester Cowens set the Williams' family barn on fire.
- Mayor Tilman - Committed suicide by hanging himself off-screen, body shown.
Deaths[]
- Total - 9
- 5 Animals
- 3 Cows
- 1 Horse
- 1 Mule
- 4 Humans
- All Men
- 5 Animals
Kill Counts[]
- Frank Bailey - 7 (Imprisoned)
- Floyd Swilley - 6 (Imprisoned)
- Wesley Cooke - 6 (Imprisoned)
- Lester Cowens - 4 (Imprisoned)
- Clayton Townley - 3 (Imprisoned)
- Sheriff Ray Stuckey - 3 (Alive)
- Deputy Clinton Pell - 2 (Imprisoned)