This powerful drama stars Gene Hackman, as a local boy who now works for the FBI, and Willem Dafoe, in an uncharacteristic role as a straight laced, suit wearing FBI detective. The supporting cast includes a young Frances McDormand and Brad Dourif, as her husband; a wife beating, racist deputy sheriff. The story is based on the real incidents that plagued the South during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

The film opens with the killing of three civil rights workers. The FBI arrives to investigate the missing persons and slowly uncovers the truth behind the killings, the Klan and its power in the small town in Mississippi. Hackman has great fun as the good old boy , who tries to fit in with the town, but is treated more like a turncoat by the residents. He does manage to charm Francis McDormand, and a mutual attraction develops. Hackman has a hard time getting along with his partner, Defoe, who is too by the book and misses opportunities because of it. Hackman's character knows the south and is frustrated by Dafoe's handling of the case. Until they reach an agreement on how to proceed, the investigation bogs down. Hackman tries to convince Defoe that the only way to get the killers is to get as low as they are, and bend the rules a bit. The other story told in this film is the plight of the blacks living in this racist society, who have been victims for decades. The violence against them is portrayed in many scenes throughout the film, from cross burning to lynching.

Picture-Colors are highly saturate don this disc, and you may have to turn the color control down a bit for more accurate skintones. The picture is heavy in reds and yellows. The film, shot in 1988 is in good shape, with barely a speck of dust. Sound-The film's heavy use of gospel music would have benefited from a 5.1 soundtrack but 2.0 is all we get . It is a full , rich sound, with full dynamic range. Dialog is clearly understood and separation is adequate.

Director commentary has been added for this DVD, re-released by MGM. It is a welcome addition to the disc, but the disc still could have used some more; such as a documentary or newsreel footage of the actual incidents or interviews with the stars about the making of the film.

This film is entertaining, thought provoking and acted well. The DVD is technically very good but still lacks some extras that could have been included in the reissue. It's good to know MGM is now taking a second look at some of their titles, and reissuing discs with some extras.