To Kill a Mockingbird




In the name of God, do your duty.

Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird has this big screen adaptation that is likewise considered by many to be a classic. Heck, it's supposedly the second most inspirational movie of all time.

Scout (Mary Badham) lives in Depression stricken Maycomb, Alabama. She has her older brother Jem (Phillip Alford) and her gentle father Atticus (Gregory Peck). The children are having the summer of their lives, which revolves around the wild stories of Boo Radley, a boy who is said to live next door but never comes out. There's also the trouble brewing in town over the alleged rape of a white girl by a black man. Atticus agrees to defend the man, which sharply divides the town.

There's not really any sense in saying this adaptation doesn't offer an agreeable take on the novel. It stays very true to the book, but like any other conversion of book to film, a lot gets cut out. Really, there's only room for the children's obsession with Boo and the lengthy court case. But even in cutting out many of the essential parts of the book, it isn't streamlined like it should, and it frequently drags along. Quite a bit of stuff is developed and during the first half the children are sweet. But after that the movie shifts gears towards Atticus and the court hearing. This messes with the whole flow of the movie, and the speed grinds to a screeching halt. That doesn't mean the trial is unimportant, but it's about as exciting as a real court case, even with Atticus' venerated closing speech.

But just as a movie, To Kill a Mockingbird stands alone fairly well, which adaptations of a similar nature can't always claim. And though the film captures the innocence, prejudice and love of the wonderful characters through the children's point of view, it really isn't until the end that a little bit of the book's power peeks through. In that moment, when the children's wonder and the real world's peril collide beautifully, this film comes into its own.

Gregory Peck's performance here is often praised. He does a good job, that much is certain, and he brings a rare dignity to Atticus Finch. Though it may be a little overrated. The casting of the children is commendable, and while the focus is on them they do well to impress.

When the few hindrances are overlooked, To Kill a Mockingbird remains a worthy adaptation of the book and a respectable film in its own right.



-The Gnome