To kill a mockingbird

USA 1962

Dir: Robert Mulligan

129 mins

Cast: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford; based on the Harper Lee novel

Rating: PG - Mild themes and violence

An astonishing motion picture by any standards, To Kill a Mockingbird only failed to win a Best Picture Oscar because it was in the running against Lawrence of Arabia. The minimalist might call this a "courtroom drama", but that would be selling the film short in so many areas: scope, tone, and thematic content, to name a few. Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird features a lengthy courtroom sequence, but, while that action may be at the heart of the film's storyline, it is only one of dozens of moments that, taken in concert, make this the film that it is.

... The movie, made in 1962, is based on the 1960 semi-autobiographical novel by Harper Lee (the only book she would publish). Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize, To Kill a Mockingbird was not the focus of a studio bidding war because it lacked many of the "accepted" staples of successful motion pictures - there is no action, no love story, and the villain doesn't get a flashy comeuppance. Nevertheless, producer Alan Pakula and director Robert Mulligan were convinced that there was a great story to be told, and, when they shared their vision of the movie with Gregory Peck, Peck agreed to headline the cast. Horton Foote was initially reluctant to write the screenplay because he revered the novel and was afraid of not doing it justice - a concern easily dismissed as unfounded based upon the finished product.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a faithful adaptation of one of the 20th century's most important American works of literature. It is also a masterpiece in its own right. This is one of those rare productions where everything is in place - a superior script, a perfect cast, and a director who has a clear vision and achieves what he sets out to do. To Kill a Mockingbird is universally recognized as a classic, and the label is well deserved.

 James Berardinelli, Reel Views

... Most of the film’s distinction can be attributed to the story itself, which is so masterfully orchestrated that it’s difficult not to be affected by the potency of its themes. While the runtime is longer than necessary, cinematic attention is given to details, faithfulness to the source material, and intentional pacing to convey the mood. And then there’s Gregory Peck in his most memorable performance, providing a tour de force of bravery, honor, and fairness. For this setting of adversity, Finch establishes a surprising amount of civility and reasoning that marks him as a role model (and parenting champion) of the grandest sort. With Peck’s portrayal (which also won an Oscar), the careful scripting, and the manner in which the role is actualized, it’s no wonder Atticus Finch was named the #1 greatest screen hero of all time by the American Film Institute.

Mike Massie, Gone with the twins