Movies About Mississippi

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western-style action film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in the Old West and Antebellum South, it stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who teams up with a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), to rescue his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from the ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). With the help of a former slave turned house servant (Samuel L. Jackson), the two men devise a plan to free Broomhilda and ultimately exact revenge on Candie. The film blends elements of spaghetti Westerns, blaxploitation films and historic drama, while also featuring an extensive collection of popular music. Django Unchained is a violent, often brutal, and highly entertaining movie, full of memorable characters and intense action sequences.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a touching drama based on a best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s, the story revolves around a young white woman, Skeeter (Emma Stone), who decides to write a book about the African-American maids who have been treated badly by their white employers. The Help follows Skeeter's journey as she interviews the maids and shares their stories. Through her interactions with the maids, Skeeter also discovers a secret that could potentially tear apart the entire town. In the end, Skeeter and the maids join forces to create a masterpiece that will change their lives forever. The Help is an inspiring story that celebrates the courage of these women who had the guts to stand up for what was right in a time when racism and inequality was rampant. It is a powerful and moving film that showcases the strength of the human spirit.

From Richard Brooks, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives, Jack Carson
Rated Not Rated

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a 1958 American drama film directed by Richard Brooks, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives. The plot centers around a wealthy Southern family, the Pollitts, who are struggling to cope with their troubled past. Brick Pollitt, the family’s eldest son, is an alcoholic and has recently been estranged from his wife, Maggie. Brick's parents, Big Daddy and Big Mama, are trying to sort out their family's financial and emotional issues while hosting a grand birthday celebration. Maggie is determined to get Brick to reconcile with her, and she enlists the help of Big Daddy's doctor to do so. As the family deals with the issues at hand, they are forced to confront the truth about their past and their relationships with each other.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 film directed by Norman Jewison about a black Philadelphia detective named Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) who is arrested in a small Southern town while passing through on his way to his mother's funeral. In order to prove his innocence, Virgil must help the town's bigoted sheriff, Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger), solve a murder case. As tensions between Virgil and the sheriff increase, the two men are forced to work together to uncover the truth behind the case. Along the way, Virgil faces racism and prejudice from the townspeople. In the end, justice is served and the town is brought to justice.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American drama film directed by Alan Parker, and written by Chris Gerolmo. Set in 1964, the film examines the investigation into the disappearance of three civil rights workers in the US state of Mississippi. The investigation is led by two FBI agents, Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe). Through their investigation, the agents uncover the town's history of racial inequality and violence, and their attempts to bring justice to the perpetrators of the crime. The film also stars Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey, and Gailard Sartain. Mississippi Burning earned two Academy Award nominations, for Best Cinematography and Best Original Screenplay.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman
Rated PG-13

"O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is a 2000 crime comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Set in 1937 rural Mississippi, the film follows three escaped convicts—Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney), Delmar O'Donnell (Tim Blake Nelson), and Pete Hogwallop (John Turturro)—on a quest for buried treasure. Along the way, they are joined by a blind man (John Goodman) and pursued by a vengeful lawman (Daniel von Bargen). As the trio try to stay one step ahead of the law, they encounter a variety of unusual characters, including a trio of sirens, a one-eyed bible salesman (Stephen Root), and a corrupt governor. Through a series of misadventures and with the assistance of an old-timey soundtrack, the three men discover the importance of friendship and loyalty. Ultimately, they are able to find the treasure they seek.

From John Lee Hancock, starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head
Rated PG-13

The Blind Side is a 2009 American biographical sports drama film based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. It tells the story of Michael Oher, an impoverished African-American teenager from Memphis, Tennessee, who is taken in by the Tuohy family and develops into an All-American offensive lineman at the University of Mississippi. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, and Kathy Bates. The Blind Side was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $300 million against a budget of $29 million, and receiving nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two BAFTA Awards.

From Joel Schumacher, starring Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey
Rated R

A Time to Kill is a 1996 American drama film adapted from John Grisham's 1989 novel of the same name, directed by Joel Schumacher. The film follows a young lawyer, Jake Tyler Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), who represents a black man, Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), accused of killing two men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, Tonya (Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly). With the help of his friend Harry Rex Vonner (Oliver Platt) and his mentor Lucien Wilbanks (Donald Sutherland), Brigance struggles against a hostile judge, a resentful all-white jury, and a Klan-funded prosecutor. The racial tension that divides the small town of Clanton, Mississippi is further intensified when the Ku Klux Klan begins to terrorize Brigance and his family. Brigance must use all his wit and charm to overcome the overwhelming odds stacked against his client and win his freedom. The film also stars Kevin Spacey, Ashley Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, and Patrick McGoohan.

From Dee Rees, starring Jason Mitchell, Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige
Rated R

From Walter Hill, starring Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Jami Gertz, Joe Morton
Rated R

From Jay Russell, starring Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, Luke Wilson
Rated PG

From Hal Needham, starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry
Rated PG

From Maya Angelou, starring Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman Jr., Mary Alice, Esther Rolle
Rated PG-13

From Gary Ross, starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell
Rated R

From Robert Altman, starring Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell
Rated PG-13

From Mira Nair, starring Denzel Washington, Sarita Choudhury, Roshan Seth, Sharmila Tagore
Rated R

From Ted Demme, starring Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Obba Babatundé, Nick Cassavetes
Rated R

From Mark Rydell, starring Steve McQueen, Sharon Farrell, Ruth White, Michael Constantine
Rated PG-13

From Mike Nichols, starring Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Matt Mulhern, Corey Parker
Rated PG-13

From Bruce Beresford, starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayans, Irma P. Hall, J.K. Simmons
Rated R

From Thomas Schlamme, starring Holly Hunter, Mary Steenburgen, Tim Robbins, Alfre Woodard
Rated PG

From Rod Lurie, starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, James Woods
Rated R