To Kill a Mockingbird (film)

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To Kill a Mockingbird

The original movie poster for To Kill a Mockingbird.
Directed by Robert Mulligan
Produced by Alan J. Pakula
Written by Harper Lee (novel)
Horton Foote (screenplay)
Starring Gregory Peck
Mary Badham
Phillip Alford
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography Russell Harlan
Editing by Aaron Stell
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) December 25, 1962
Running time 129 min
Language English
IMDb profile

To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 film directed by Robert Mulligan and based on the novel of the same name by Harper Lee. The film stars Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus Finch. In 2007, it was ranked twenty-fifth on the American Film Institute's 10th anniversary list of the greatest American movies of all time. Today, the film is in the public domain because of missing copyright indication.

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[edit] Summary

The character of Atticus in this movie has been deemed the #1 greatest hero of American film, as rated by the American Film Institute.[1] It is also Robert Duvall's big screen debut, as the misunderstood recluse Boo Radley. The movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning three. In 1995, To Kill a Mockingbird was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Phillip Alford, who played the role of Jem, did not initially want to audition for the part. However, when his mother informed him that he would miss a half day of school, he quickly changed his mind. Additionally, he became upset during the filming of the scene at the breakfast table, when Mary Badham, who played Scout, had trouble performing the scene properly. By way of retaliating, during the scene where Jem rolls Scout in a tire, he intentionally rolled the tire toward an equipment truck.[2]

According to Kim Hamilton, who played the part of Helen Robinson in the movie, Gregory Peck was the consummate gentleman. She recalled a scene where her character collapses after hearing the news of her husband's death, and Peck, as Atticus, picks her up and carries her into the house. "He was such a gentleman," she says. "I never forgot that."

[edit] Reception

Gregory Peck's performance became synonymous with the role and character of Atticus Finch. Alan J. Pakula remembered hearing from Peck when he was first approached with the role: "He called back immediately. No maybes. The fit was among the most natural things about a most natural film. I must say the man and the character he played were not unalike."[3] Peck later said in an interview that he was drawn to the role because the book reminded him of growing up in La Jolla, California.[4] "Hardly a day passes that I don't think how lucky I was to be cast in that film," Peck said in a 1997 interview. "I recently sat at a dinner next to a woman who saw it when she was 14 years old, and she said it changed her life. I hear things like that all the time."[5]

Upon Peck's death in 2003, Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson in the film version, quoted Harper Lee at Peck's eulogy, saying, "Atticus Finch gave him an opportunity to play himself". Peters concluded his eulogy stating, "To my friend Gregory Peck, to my friend Atticus Finch, vaya con Dios."[6] Peters remembered the role of Tom Robinson when he recalled, "It certainly is one of my proudest achievements in life, one of the happiest participations in film or theater I have experienced."[7] Peters remained friends not only with Peck but with Mary Badham throughout his life.

The American Film Institute named Atticus Finch the greatest movie hero of the 20th century. Additionally, the AFI ranked the movie second on their 100 Cheers list, behind It's a Wonderful Life, and twenty-fifth on the list of greatest American films of all time.[8]

In 2007, Hamilton was honored by the Harlem community for her part in the movie. She is the last surviving African-American adult who had a speaking part in the movie. When told of the award, she said, "I think it is terrific. I'm very pleased and very surprised."[9]

[edit] Cast

Atticus (Gregory Peck) comforts Scout (Mary Badham) on the porch swing.
Atticus (Gregory Peck) comforts Scout (Mary Badham) on the porch swing.

[edit] Awards

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] References

  1. ^ AFI's 100 Years List
  2. ^ To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Page
  3. ^ Nichols, Peter. "Time Can't Kill 'Mockingbird'; [Review]." New York Times: February 27, 1998. pg. E.1
  4. ^ King, Susan. "How the Finch Stole Christmas; Q & A WITH GREGORY PECK." Los Angeles Times: December 22, 1997. pg. 1
  5. ^ Bobbin, Jay. "Gregory Peck is Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird." Birmingham News (Alabama): December 21, 1997 Pg. 1F.
  6. ^ Hoffman, Allison, Rubin, H. "Peck Memorial Honors Beloved Actor and Man; The longtime star is remembered for his integrity and constancy." Los Angeles Times: June 17, 2003. pg. B.1.
  7. ^ Oliver, Myrna. "Obituaries; Brock Peters, 78; Stage, Screen, TV Actor Noted for Role in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'; " Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: August 24, 2005. pg. B.8.
  8. ^ To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Page
  9. ^ "Harlem community honors 'Mockingbird' actress" from the USA Today.