Matthew Brown
Yes, Mississippi Burning (1988) is based on a true story of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. However, the film takes significant artistic license in its dramatization of events and characters.
What is the true story behind the movie Mississippi Burning (1988)?
Mississippi Burning is a movie that is based on the true events of the 1964 disappearance and murder of three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were working to register Black voters in Mississippi. The three were stopped by the police for a traffic violation and then released into the hands of the local Ku Klux Klan, who killed them and buried their bodies in an earthen dam.
The FBI became involved in the case, and after an extensive investigation, they arrested nineteen men, including the local Deputy Sheriff and members of the Ku Klux Klan. However, despite overwhelming evidence, only seven of the nineteen were convicted, and none of them served more than six years in prison.
The movie portrays the FBI’s efforts to solve the case, including the intense pressure they faced from local authorities and the Klan. It also depicts the racial tensions and violence during that time period which resulted in the deaths of numerous civil rights activists. Although the movie deviates from some of the actual events in the case, it accurately portrays the systemic racism and violence that occurred in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Mississippi Burning (1988)?
Yes, there are several books about the true story behind the movie Mississippi Burning. Here are a few examples:
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The book “Burden of Truth: The Story of the Mississippi Burning Trial” by Michael Vinson McDonald and Special Agent John Proctor provides an inside look at one of the most famous civil rights trials in American history.
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“Mississippi Burning: A Civil Rights Story” by Brenda Maddox is a detailed account of the events leading up to the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964 and the subsequent investigation and trial.
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“We Are Not Afraid: The Story of Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney and the Civil Rights Campaign for Mississippi” by Seth Cagin and Philip Dray gives a comprehensive account of the civil rights campaign in Mississippi and the murders of the three young activists.
These books provide a deeper understanding of the context and historical significance of the events depicted in the movie.
You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those
