To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Review

A Must Watch Classic, which has a Thought-provoking message and Brilliant Acting.

Director – Robert Mulligan
Cast – Incredible actor Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, John Megna, Frank Overton

Premise – Based on the novel by – Harper lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” widely successful and earning the Pulitzer Prize.
A story of two children Scott and Jem, where they try to understand the harsh reality of 1930s southern America. They learn life lessons from their father, Atticus Finch, who is a Nobel, Respected lawyer. And he is also our hero Atticus, defends Tom Robinson, a black man who falsely accused of rape by Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Some of the town members were against the decision of Atticus and gave him a hard time. And a subplot of Boo Radley, who is mentally handicapped, Scout, Jem, and Dill (A Neighbor kid), was curious about Boo Radley.

Review – To Kill A Mockingbird was Nominated for 8 Oscars, including the Best Picture. And Won 3 of them, in Best Actor, Best Set decoration, and for Adapted Screenplay. Unlike the other movies where the Story focuses more on Characters of Accuser, Victim and Crime scene, Investigation… To Kill A Mockingbird tells the Story of racism, injustice, prejudice through the eyes of Scott and Jem (kids), who are innocent, empathetic, different from others who lost theirs in adulthood. This isn’t only a story of racism, To kill a Mockingbird tells the Story of courage, poverty differentiation, protecting innocence, and a story of Scott and Jem, who feared and integrated by Boo Radley, And how they learn life lessons from their father, Atticus. He teaches them the importance of treating all equally irrespective Of Skin color, Status, knowledge, religion. Like Atticus said in the movie, “You never really understand a person Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Every discussion between Scott, Jem, and their father, Atticus, is just astonishingly beautiful.

The best part of the movie is the 40 minutes courtroom segment, where every aspect of filmmaking like Acting, dialogues, pacing, camera angles, editing, is brilliantly done with perfection. Maybe this is the Best Courtroom scene in Movie History. Some might say this movie is overrated, but considering the time it came out, During the civil rights moment, and showing a different perspective, I call Mockingbird Movie Daring, influential, inspiring, and must-watch movie.

The performance of Gregory Peck playing Atticus with wise, compassionate, and thoughtful is marvelous, also earning him an Oscar. The 6-minute long continuous scene in court where Atticus gives a closing statement to defend Tom Robinson talks about racism, and also, the reason for Mayella accusing is tremendous. Gregory Peck gave an incredible performance. The other actors also did a decent job and other factors like directing, Cinematography given such good care to the script.

Conclusion – To kill a Mockingbird explains complex issues in a simple manner, makes it the best storytelling for all kinds of ages, and the performance of Gregory Peck will be remembered. Definitely, A must watch the film.