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RETROSPECTIVE
To Kill A
Mockingbird
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Philip Alford, Brock Peters,
Robert Duvall
Directed by: Robert Mulligan
Produced by: Alan J. Pakula
Written by: Horton Foote
Distributed By: Universal Pictures |
I recently studied the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by
Harper Lee, in English class. Beforehand, I had seen the film around
four times, and knew it was one of my favorites. Reading the book only
increased my appreciation for this momentous picture. Rarely, can a
movie surpass the quality of the novel it was based upon. The film To
Kill a Mockingbird does this, however. The emotion put into the film
is more than anyone, even Ms. Lee herself, could put into words. The
strong acting, powerful score, thoughtful direction, and ingenious
adaptation from book to movie are what make To Kill a Mockingbird
one of the most profound achievements of all-time. As a team, the cast
and crew of it created something purely ingenious, which will never be
captured again by a camera. I recently made my top one-hundred list of
favorite films ever, and To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most
bold pictures on it. It will, hopefully, be remembered forever.
To Kill a Mockingbird was released in 1962, just two years
after the novel it was based upon was published for the mass-market.
Obviously, not a giant amount of people had read it when the film came
out. What made people pick up the book after viewing the film (it’s now
one of the top five best sellers of all-time in both the United States
and the U.K.)? The characters, which we’re so beautifully portrayed by
absolutely wonderful actors.
Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, and John Megna had not had any
previous acting experience before doing To Kill a Mockingbird,
and that’s the way director Robert Mulligan wanted it. They were able to
portray Southern kids so well, because they were Southern kids. They
weren’t taught to act before doing the film, Mulligan just immersed them
into being on camera, and told them to go with the flow of things. Not
one other method could’ve better suited To Kill a Mockingbird.
Each of these kids performances is pitch perfect; they capture such
acting and vigor, the film is worth seeing because of them alone.
The very experienced Gregory Peck is probably the best in the movie,
though. We can see that he finds a common ground with his character,
Atticus, when viewing the film. Peck is powerful, and in each and every
crucially emotional point in the movie, he is always there to show the
audience the vitality of the moment. Peck delivers one of best
performances in the history of film, and was named the biggest hero of
all-time by the American Film Institute. He passed away two weeks ago,
and will be remembered for his acting talent until the earth stops
spinning around.
Peck isn’t the only great actor in To Kill a Mockingbird,
though. The film also opened up a career for Robert Duvall, who is now
also thought of as one of the industry’s greatest. When we first see
Duvall on screen, our stomach drops, and awe comes over us. Every time I
see To Kill a Mockingbird and his character unravels, I get
goose-bumps, and my arms go limp. Duvall is that strong, and will always
be one of the best actors to ever see the silver-screen.
The writing and direction mesh together with such beauty, it’s
often hard to tell who to credit for the work done on the film. Horton
Foote created such a vivid picture, in writing, with Lee—and often
didn’t change the narrative passages from the book at all for the film.
Director Mulligan alters a few scenes, and benefits the film immensely
by doing so, in order to paint the picture that Foote wrote. Both of
these men’s work is conjoined by a beautiful score, composed by master
Elmer Bernstein. To Kill a Mockingbird will touch audiences time
after time, without losing any effect with age, just like the novel.
It’s, truly, an amazing film.
It’s a shame that kids today allow Scooby Doo to gross over
150 million dollars, while To Kill a Mockingbird sits on the
shelves of video stores, untouched. Anyone who has ever seen it, or has
read the novel, understands what a masterpiece it truly is. The film
weaves tough concepts together better than any other creation I’ve seen
before. When we watch it, we are astounded; plain and simple.
-Danny Baldwin, Bucket Reviews
