Review of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) by Stuart K — 30 Apr 2014

Based upon Harper Lee's 1960 novel of the same name, which was immediately optioned by producer Alan J. Pakula and Universal Pictures. Robert Mulligan (The Great Imposter (1961), Inside Daisy Clover (1965) and Up the Down Staircase (1967)), was hired to direct the film.

It's a powerful and dramatic adaptation, and it's a film which lives up to it's reputation as one of the greats. Set in Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930's, this tells the story of widowed father Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), who is a struggling lawyer in Maycomb, and he's always able to divide his professional life, from his family life, raising his two children Jean Louise "Scout" Finch (Mary Badham) and her brother Jem (Phillip Alford).

While they're off having adventure of their own with new friend Dill Harris (John Megna). Atticus is asked to defend black man Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), who is accused of sexually assaulting local teenage girl Mayella Ewell (Collin Wilcox).

Atticus accepts the case, which seems open and shut, but Atticus ends up being ganged up on by local bigots who believe Robinson is guilty, and his children end up getting taunted because of it. It's a very compelling film with some brilliant dialogue and brilliant performances, from the children and their exploits, to Peck as the idealistic, unprejudiced lawyer, (he won an Oscar for the role), it's a timeless film, one that will never date as it's a true American story, one which has heart and tenderness, and family at it's heart.