Cast and Crew of Mississippi Burning

Mississippi Burning

Set against the tense backdrop of the 1960s civil rights movement, "Mississippi Burning" follows two determined FBI agents as they delve into the harrowing investigation of the murders of civil rights workers in a deeply divided Southern town. The film poignantly highlights the entrenched racial segregation and hostility prevailing in the region, painting a vivid portrait of a community gripped by fear and silence.

Gene Hackman embodies the role of Anderson, a seasoned former sheriff whose intimate knowledge of the local landscape and its unspoken rules proves indispensable. Alongside him is the younger and more idealistic agent Ward, played by Willem Dafoe, whose recent training brings a fresh but sometimes clashing perspective to the painstaking investigation. Their partnership captures the tension between traditional methods and new approaches amid a charged social climate.

Throughout the story, the agents confront not only the external threats posed by the conspirators but also internal challenges as they navigate the complexities of loyalty, justice, and morality. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, "Mississippi Burning" offers a gripping narrative that sheds light on the courage required to confront deep-seated prejudice and the high cost of seeking truth in a world divided by color lines.

Main Cast of Mississippi Burning

Gene Hackman as Agent Rupert Anderson

Gene Hackman

Agent Rupert Anderson
Willem Dafoe as Agent Alan Ward

Willem Dafoe

Agent Alan Ward
Frances McDormand as Mrs. Pell

Frances McDormand

Mrs. Pell
Brad Dourif as Deputy Pell

Brad Dourif

Deputy Pell
R. Lee Ermey as Mayor Tilman

R. Lee Ermey

Mayor Tilman
Gailard Sartain as Sheriff Stuckey

Gailard Sartain

Sheriff Stuckey
Stephen Tobolowsky as Townley

Stephen Tobolowsky

Townley

Crew of Mississippi Burning

Full backstage crew list →