Alan Parker's take on racism in America during the 60's is thought provoking and necessary even today. The finest thing about Mississippi Burning is not that it is tense and thrilling, yet touching; but rather that it shows the pain and suffering of the black people on a personal level. You almost feel as though you're one of them, fighting for the same cause. Parker's genius is proven in the first scene. There is the simple yet powerful image of two drinking fountains: one for the whites, the other for the blacks. A pipe separates the fountains, symbolising how the two races are set apart from one another.
Right from the outset you are guided into understanding the message of the film. However, there has been criticism made against 'Mississippi Burning'. The main controversy is over how it is not completely truthful. 'Most of the debate surrounding the film has focused on the way it distorts key events in the history of the civil rights movement. ' says cinepad. com.
On the other hand, I believe Alan Parker needed to twist important events in order to make the film as exciting and emotional as it is. The film is based on three missing civil rights workers.This gives a strong enough case for the FBI agents to be introduced to the story and see into the lives of both the secluded black families and the wealthier white Ku Klux Klan members. If this film was made precise to the exact detail, where would the foundations for the storyline come from? Furthermore, the separation of the races is shown when two FBI agents take a seat in the black section of a cafi??.
All the white people immediately stop what they're doing and stare at Mr Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Mr Ward (Willem Dafoe).Parker has cleverly crafted this scene to demonstrate the simple image of separation and tension that is shown throughout. The whole basis of 'Mississippi Burning' is the hateful relationship between the races. If a scene could be crafted to give a feel for the whole film, it would most definitely be this. The main criticism I have for this film is the relationship between the two FBI agents; Mr Anderson and Mr Ward.
There is nothing wrong with the acting; it is just the way Alan Parker has portrayed the relationship between the two.It makes the film appear somewhat like your typical 'good cop, bad cop movie'. Is this really what we want from such a serious film? On the other hand, this does give a stirring build up to an ending in which the two agents can work together to stamp out the Ku Klux Klan leaders. Music plays a big part in making this film tense and electrifying. An early scene shows a car chase taking place. The KKK is chasing two civil rights workers and a black man.
Firstly, the diegetic sound of the rumbling engine in a desolate area of countryside is unnerving.As the chasing car approaches the music kicks in, the use of non-diegetic sound lets you know they are out to kill. Another scene in which music plays a big part is when the local black community are singing together in a chapel. The scene starts by illustrating how joyful the black community is. A woman is immersed in playing the piano, children are singing and everyone is enjoying themselves. In seeing so many people happy, you feel warm inside; how could anything possibly go wrong? The camera cuts to a view of a pair of mysterious black boots.
You find yourself asking the question; 'whose are they, FBI or KKK? You are shown a long shot of the church; you see how isolated and desolate it is. You can hear muffled singing and crickets in the background. This use of diegetic sound adds to the unnerving sense of loneliness and isolation. You know that if the boots do belong to a KKK member the black people in the church are very vulnerable.
All of a sudden you see white. The white sacks that cover the heads of the unforgiving and vicious KKK men are unlike any other.There is no mistaking them. They slowly and viciously slaughter the blacks, as if they are animals. The background image of the burning church is tormenting. Scenes like this are what the film is all about: sheer brutality, unlawfulness and fear.
Parker has been unjustly criticised for the way he depicts how black people live. He shows that they live in ramshackle homes, wear shabby clothes and are a lot worse off than the whites. However, factual evidence has proven that during the 60's black people were much poorer than the whites.If people want to criticize Alan Parker, then they should get their facts right! What's more, it has been said that an overall impression has been given of the white people as all being evil racists; but this is not true.
The wife of the deputy police officer is shown to not agree with the racial hatred, she feels guilty for the way blacks are treated. However, as the wife of a KKK member she is in a vulnerable position to speak out for what she believes. This shows how not all the whites were in fact racists; so Alan Parker is therefore not taking a biased view.I have to say, the funeral speech scene is quite possibly one of the most passionate, powerful and poetic speeches ever on film.
The repetition of the phrase 'I am sick and tired' emphasises the antagonism and hatred caused by the racial discrimination. Only this diegetic sound of speech is used, all other sound is blocked out; this makes you focus purely on the dramatic speech. It almost compares to Martin Luther King's famous speech and I think Parker has used this as a model for developing this scene into such a masterpiece. When this film was made, twenty years ago, it was rated 18.Nevertheless I think that it is necessary in today's culture for young people to be more aware of racial hatred in the world, particularly from a historical perspective. Moreover Parker has shown it in an understandable and clever way.
It clearly shows evil and violence in a serious manner. There is no need for over exaggeration, special effects and silly action scenes. The sheer mood of the film gives excitement and entertainment, at the same time as giving a morale and important message. On the whole 'Mississippi Burning' is truly spectacular.
