Mississippi Burning Collection

The movie Mississippi Burning is loosely based on the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner who were three civil rights workers from New York City volunteering in Mississippi. They were abducted and murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi, in June 1964. Their bodies were found two months later and the investigation concluded that the Neshoba County Sheriff's Office, the Philadelphia Police Department, and local Ku Klux Klan were involved in the incident. [1]

Mississippi Burning was released on 27 January 1989 and was directed by English filmmaker Sir Alan Parker. This movie stars actors Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers in Mississippi. They are naturally met with hostility by the local residents and police department.

The film Mississippi Burning received seven Oscar nominations and won for Best Cinematography. Below is a list of the categories it was nominated for:

• Directing - Alan Parker

• Actress in a Supporting Role - Frances McDormand in "Mississippi Burning"

• Best Picture - Frederick Zollo and Robert F. Colesberry, Producers

• Actor in a Leading Role - Gene Hackman in "Mississippi Burning"

• Film Editing - Gerry Hambling

• Sound - Robert Litt, Elliot Tyson, Rick Kline, Danny Michael

• Cinematography - Peter Biziou [2]

The film was shot on location between 7 March and 14 May in 1988. Some of the film locations are listed below:

• LaFayette, Alabama - town of Jessup County, Mississippi

• Vicksburg, Mississippi - Cedar Hill Cemetery & hospital set

• Jackson, Mississippi- Medical Center, barbershop, and diner set

• La Fayette, Alabama- Movie theater rented as FBI headquarters

• Canton, Mississippi- FBI agents blocked at railroad crossing

• Vaiden, Mississippi- Jessup County courthouse [3]