To Kill A Mockingbird (2 Disc Special Edition)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Ranked 34 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Films, To Kill a Mockingbird is quite simply one of the finest family-oriented dramas ever made. A beautiful and deeply affecting adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, the film retains a timeless quality that transcends its historically dated subject matter (racism in the Depression-era South) and remains powerfully resonant in present-day America with its advocacy of tolerance, justice, integrity and loving, responsible parenthood. It's tempting to call this an important "message" movie that should be required viewing for children and adults alike, but this riveting courtroom drama is anything but stodgy or pedantic. As Atticus Finch, the small-town Alabama lawyer and widower father of two, Gregory Peck gives one of his finest performances with his impassioned defence of a black man (Brock Peters) wrongfully accused of the rape and assault of a young white woman. While his children, Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Philip Alford), learn the realities of racial prejudice and irrational hatred, they also learn to overcome their fear of the unknown as personified by their mysterious, mostly unseen neighbour Boo Radley (Robert Duvall, in his brilliant, almost completely nonverbal screen debut). What emerges from this evocative, exquisitely filmed drama is a pure distillation of the themes of Harper Lee's enduring novel, a showcase for some of the finest American acting ever assembled in one film, and a rare quality of humanitarian artistry (including Horton Foote's splendid screenplay and Elmer Bernstein's outstanding score) that seems all but lost in the chaotic morass of modern cinema. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A MUST SEE.......2007-12-11

To Kill a Mockingbird is the movie based on the Harper Lee novel of the same name about Scout, Jem and their father, Atticus Finch who is an attorney in a small southern town. It is both a coming of age story about the children as well as a hard-hitting drama, as Atticus defends a black man who is on trial for the rape of a white woman.

This review is not an easy one to write, despite the fact that I have seen this film at least 10 times. The reason it does not come easily is that this is one of the most personally important films I have ever seen and is in my personal `Top Five of All Time'. I'm certain there is nothing that can be said about the film that has not already been repeated a multitude of times, so I guess the best thing to do is explain why the film is so important to me.

I first saw this film several years ago and was so profoundly affected by it that I immediately watched it again. Of course, the defense of a man wrongly accused of a crime is a common story line, but To Kill a Mockingbird stands out as an exceptional example for several reasons. Among them, the date that the film was released: 1962, on the cusp of the civil rights movement in America, and the fact that it takes place in the south in the 1930's. It is also far from the first film to explore the experiences of children and their own personal growth, but To Kill a Mockingbird stands out because of its sheer honesty and natural performances by the child actors portraying these rich characters.

But most of all, this film is special because of Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus Finch, a true hero. At the risk of sounding histrionic, my heart aches when I watch him on screen because he is such an incredible man, and is so inherently good. No matter how many times I have seen this film, I smile when I see his interaction with his children, and I well with tears when I see his incredible strength of character. (No easy feat to break through the armor of this cynical film geek who, if given the chance would remake at least a few dozen films with tragic endings.) I was sitting in my car listening to National Public Radio recently the day Gregory Peck died, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I sat and cried hearing the retrospective they offered - mainly because the man who portrayed my own personal cinematic hero was gone, but also because Peck lived his life with the same conviction as his best known role; a fact that makes Atticus Finch all the more tangible. The American Film Institute recently named Atticus Finch the number one hero of all time, a choice I consider both brave and insightful in an age where our heroes generally either wield weapons or have super human physical strength. Atticus Finch fights evil as well, but with his strong moral fiber and his mind.

To Kill a Mockingbird is generally required reading during the course of one's education. If you have not read it, do so. If you have not seen the film, do so; and share it with others. It is an exceptional film that stands the test of time and will remain an important addition to film history for as long as the genre exists.

A must see film!.......2007-10-05

The setting for this movie is a dusty southern town in Alabama during the depression and is shot through the perspective of a child's eye. Mr. Gregory Peck does a superb job of playing a southern lawyer who defends a black man who is accused of rape by a white woman and her father. There is no question as you watch the movie of two things; the outcome of the trial and the fact the man is obviously innocent.

In this movie we have a great example of a man, Gregory Pecks character, setting a good example of a parent and of being a good member of a community. He instills good values in his children, shows tremendous courage and strength of character. He teaches that you cannot judge a person until you can see the world through their eyes. He is a peerless man, in that everyone is his peer. This is a film whole families should watch together.

Storytelling Doesn't Get Any Better Than This.......2007-09-28

Plot:

Two children begin to learn the ways of the world - and America's south in particular - as their father, lawyer Atticus Finch, defends a black man accused of raping a white woman.

My Review:

As millions of readers are aware or should be aware, the bottom line of Lee's story surrounds Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) defending African American Brock Peters on a charge of rape of a young white girl, but alongside the examination of racism and the effect of it during the period, the film incorporates many themes, childhood, poverty, love, honour, and an hard-boiled look at the American Deep South of the past that makes the book far more richer and filled with the history that boils down to this point in time.

The film follows the book right down to its overflowing enigmatic attitude with a charming mystery, being all about heart; prominently sticking out with local pain in the arse bad-man Boo Radley. Gregory Peck gives his most profound performance that will echo throughout the last scenes, his career given a best turn, but all to the more rash point; that its ideal to the source, the kids shine with enough ample time on screen (Mary Badham and Philip Alford). And, they shine like the sun, lighting up a wise, almost giving Peck' character the edge to continue his plight and commitment, derivation to the movie, Harper Lee could ask no more. It's one of those rare adaptations that even surpass expectation and interpretation of the source. Following the recent 'The Lord of the Rings' series and several others.

Nel Harper Lee's most bravest and belligerent novel was incredibly well woven, carefully, and soporifically adapted to the big screen by Robert Mulligan as soon as possible, the emphasis between the children is intelligently shared by the forever graceful Gregory Peck.

Verdict:

A timeless classic. 10/10.

Important Film With A Lot To Say.......2007-08-17

When Atticus Finch, a Southern lawyer, is asked to defend a black man who has been accused of rape, he doesn't hesitate, despite the fact the other residents of his hometown turn against him for doing so. Tied in with this is the adventures of his two motherless children Jem and Scout, and their fascination with a neighbour who is rumoured to be mad, named Boo Radley.

The acting is superb - warm-hearted and affecting, and the rapport between Gregrory Peck as Atticus and his two children is very real and very sensitive. The context of the film is also incredibly important, as Finch's defense of a black man who he believes has been wrongly accused of a crime would have been scandalous in the time period in which this is set. Finch's belief and conviction in his client's innocence is brilliant to watch, and the scene in which all of the black citizens of the town stand in the courtroom and Finch passes is utterly tear-jerking.

What adds a sweetness and innocence to this film is it's general theme of childhood innocence and oblivion, the seemingly endless summer which Jem and Scout can see stretching before them, filled with nothing but frivolity and play. Adults watching this film will no doubt remember back to their own childhood summers, when there were no worries and the prospect of there being anything bad in the world seemed incomprehensible.

All of this contributes towards making this film a classic: the combination of great acting, social relevance, convincing dialogue, some beautiful, emotional moments and general unassuming childhood innocence. As a viewer I was left feeling that a belief that everything pure and good in life is worth fighting for.

One of the great films.......2007-08-09

The book is in my top three of all time. The film is in the same category! No real need to say more. Watch it , love it , marvel at the performances and wonder at the profundity of it obviously there was more to say!! There is more still, one of the greatest films ever made.

Average customer rating:
Don't Answer The Phone [1979]
Starring: Rad Fulton , Ben Frank , Flo Gerrish , and Nicholas Worth
Director: Robert Hammer
Manufacturer: Starz Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000B64VZI
Release Date: 2005-10-17

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