To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  Trivia: Scout and Jem's fanciful summer friend Dil was based on Truman Capote.

• Alexander D

  
  Although I didnâ(TM)t really care for Harper Leeâ(TM)s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, I really enjoyed this film adaptation of a mere two years later. Peckâ(TM)s Oscar-winning delivery of Atticus Finch was (for once) almost exactly like I imagined him while reading the book: a… More
  Although I didnâ(TM)t really care for Harper Leeâ(TM)s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, I really enjoyed this film adaptation of a mere two years later. Peckâ(TM)s Oscar-winning delivery of Atticus Finch was (for once) almost exactly like I imagined him while reading the book: a brave, strong lawyer who seemed to accept the stereotype about African-Americans, but also disregarded it. We see him, much more in the film than in the book, growing to befriend and have a certain sense of love for the man accused of raping a white woman. Needless to say, Iâ(TM)m glad I watched TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, but it seems to be getting a lot of undeserved acclaim. Itâ(TM)s a good movie, definitely, but itâ(TM)s not one of the best of all-time, in my opinion. Somewhat contrarily, this should have easily won the Oscar for Best Picture, especially since the book won a Pulitzer Prize. A movie that can outdo its source material for sure deserves more honor than Best Actor, Best Art Direction, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Happy 50th anniversary, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

• Jeff "

  
  Film version of Harper Lee's classic, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of cinema's greatest classics. The book is one of my all time favourite novels, and this screen adaptation does it justice. Director Robert Mulligan directs a phenomenal cast of actors, most notably Gregory… More
  Film version of Harper Lee's classic, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of cinema's greatest classics. The book is one of my all time favourite novels, and this screen adaptation does it justice. Director Robert Mulligan directs a phenomenal cast of actors, most notably Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus Finch. Gregory Peck delivers a strong, powerful and unforgettable performance. The film differs a bit from the book, but it keeps the essence of the story intact, and just like the book; this film is a classic. The performances of the cast are wonderful, and the story is one that will keep you interested from start to finish. This film is a definite classic of cinema and it is a must see film. This film adaptation of Harper Lee's classic is just as memorable as her book, and this is simply a well acted film with a powerful story. As an avid fan of the book, director Robert Mulligan stays faithful to the story, and creates a phenomenal film. This film is a classic that should be seen by any film fan. Gregory Peck definitely made the film what it is, and no other actor could portray Atticus Finch. He really brings the character to life, and makes the character his own. If you've read the book, you'll most likely enjoy this film. To Kill a Mockingbird is a wonderful, well acted film with an unforgettable story. This is simply put an amazing film.

• Directors C

  
  To Kill a Mockingbird is inspiring and I guess its charming at times and Gregory Peck is well deserving of the Best Actor Oscar but its a bit over rated, I found it hard to sustain interest at times. What bothers me the most is that I felt it was to slow for its own good. Sometimes… More
  To Kill a Mockingbird is inspiring and I guess its charming at times and Gregory Peck is well deserving of the Best Actor Oscar but its a bit over rated, I found it hard to sustain interest at times. What bothers me the most is that I felt it was to slow for its own good. Sometimes the tensions not there and sometimes it is but overall its above average quality entertainment.

• Brad W

  
  To Kill A Mocking Bird is a story about a hero, and this movie is one of the best films in the history of cinema.

• Bethany M

  
  As much as the story is a true classic, this really bored me and I couldn't properly pay attention to most of it.

• Anthony L

  
  To Kill a Mocking Bird is an American classic and one of the greatest books of modern literature. The fact they managed to adapt it into one of the greatest films ever made is pretty impressive. It's not exactly the same as the book but it is all the better for all the changes.… More
  To Kill a Mocking Bird is an American classic and one of the greatest books of modern literature. The fact they managed to adapt it into one of the greatest films ever made is pretty impressive. It's not exactly the same as the book but it is all the better for all the changes. The actors bring the characters to life brilliantly, Duvall is great in his small but powerful role, the two children are great (it's a shame they didn't go on to act more) and of course, Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch is one of the greatest screen characters of all time. Robert Mulligan's beautifully lit Black and White film is a joy to watch too, it's almost dream-like which works perfectly considering it is technically all from the memory of the narrator. Pretty much the perfect film.

• Randy T

  
  Next to <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, this is undoubtedly the most beloved film of my childhood. <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> introduced me to the concept of motion pictures as catalysts for change and social commentary. For this, I am forever grateful to Harper… More
  Next to <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, this is undoubtedly the most beloved film of my childhood. <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> introduced me to the concept of motion pictures as catalysts for change and social commentary. For this, I am forever grateful to Harper Lee and Robert Mulligan.

• Jason O

  
  Loved the book and loved the movie almost as much....closer to being as good as the book as any movie's ever been!

• Thomas J

  
  I see why this movie is so high on so many lists. Also I plan to go back and read the book. It was funny to see such a young Robert Duvall.

• AJ V

  
  I think this is one of the best screen adaptations of a novel I've ever seen. I do recommend both reading the book and seeing the movie, though. It's a very powerful and insightful story, and the actors really bring it all to life. I highly recommend this movie.

• Morgan S

  
  Of course I had to watch this movie in my english class and I liked it the same way I like the book. I didnt really enjoy it THAT MUCH until the last couple chapters/ 20 minutes. Robert Duvall is fantasic even though he doesnt say anything! Gregory Peck was very good as well.

• Mister C

  
  The novel that earned Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitizer Prize for Literature,becomes one of the greatest American films ever made. "To Kill A Mockingbird" stands out as one as the apex of 1960's cinema and it shows this in fine detail. Based on the 1960 novel of the same… More
  The novel that earned Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitizer Prize for Literature,becomes one of the greatest American films ever made. "To Kill A Mockingbird" stands out as one as the apex of 1960's cinema and it shows this in fine detail. Based on the 1960 novel of the same title,it is the story of widowed attorney and legislator Atticus Finch(played brilliantly to perfection by the great Gregory Peck,who won the 1962 Oscar for Best Actor)who must defend Tom Robinson(Brock Peters),an African-American falsely accused of rape and assault. The story is set in fictional 1930's Maycomb County,Alabama,during the time of segregation and during the era of the Jim Crow South,where blacks endure pure hell and suffering within the deep South,especially in Alabama was "hell on earth." Atticus has no illusions about the struggle he takes on. He tells his son Jem (Phillip Alford),"In our courts,when it's a white man's word against a black man's,the white man always wins. They're ugly,but those are the facts of life." Atticus takes the case anyway,because "if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town," he tells his daughter Scout(Mary Badham who gives one of the most electrifying performances ever from a child actor). Atticus,with the help of Calpurnia,an African-American,is raising his son Jem and his daughter Scout. The story is told through the eyes of Scout(and also from the narration by actress Kim Hunter)who gives the audiences observations not only about race relations,but Southern notions of decorum and class distinctions. The trial of Tom Robinson and its consequences become the central events in the film while its gives us a grand perspective of young Scout's growing and understanding of the adult world,especially in the time of the violence and hatred in the Jim Crow South of the 1930's. Directed by Robert Mulligan and Produced by Alan J. Pakula,this movie was one of the biggest boxoffice hits of 1962,it which won two Academy Awards..one for Best Actor Oscar to Gregory Peck,and the other won for Horton Foote,the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. It has become a staple in movie history not only for the riveting storyline,but for also film composer Elmer Bernstein's Oscar-nominated theme score. Suggusted For Mature Audiences.

• Jay H

  
  Am I missing something here? This is supposed to be a coming-of-age classic, but I couldn't figure out what exactly the film was trying to say. My aunt was sitting there afterward trying to tell me that the story is all about the children's mental maturation. Perhaps half of… More
  Am I missing something here? This is supposed to be a coming-of-age classic, but I couldn't figure out what exactly the film was trying to say. My aunt was sitting there afterward trying to tell me that the story is all about the children's mental maturation. Perhaps half of the film is focusing on the young ones and their misadventures, and there are parts that certainly show just what she was talking about. But the courtroom scenes (which were quite good) for which the film is most well-known have nothing to do with the star children, only with the alternate theme of southern racism--these scenes stray from the message the film was supposedly trying to send. While the acting is certainly superb, I found that the story was just quite messy and without a clear direction. This film couldn't just stick with just one theme; it wanted to send multiple messages. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, "To Kill A Mockingbird" did it in rather poor fashion. Not a bad movie by any means, but far from a classic.

• Conner R

  
  I feel about this the same way I do about Casablanca. Undeniably a great movie and lives up to its hype, but it's just not one of my favorites. Flawless performances, direction, and storytelling. It's as good as book adaptions come. I think the message about youth is still… More
  I feel about this the same way I do about Casablanca. Undeniably a great movie and lives up to its hype, but it's just not one of my favorites. Flawless performances, direction, and storytelling. It's as good as book adaptions come. I think the message about youth is still pretty valid today, much like Tom Sawyer. While I don't bow down to it's knees in praise, you've got to be crazy not to see why it is a beloved classic.

• ♥Robyn

  
  a good movie based upon a pulitzer prize winning novel. a real classic!!!!

• Jonathan H

  
  Robert Mulligan's lovingly crafted recreation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an outstanding production on many different levels. The Oscar-winning sets by Henry Bumstead and Alexander Golitzen, and gorgeous black-and-white cinematography beautifully evoke… More
  Robert Mulligan's lovingly crafted recreation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an outstanding production on many different levels. The Oscar-winning sets by Henry Bumstead and Alexander Golitzen, and gorgeous black-and-white cinematography beautifully evoke the rural Alabama Depression-era setting, providing the perfect backdrop for this quiet-yet-potent study of racism. The suffocating summer heat is reflected in the film's deliberate pacing, which casts a trance over the audience. Horton Foote's Academy Award-winning screenplay is a model of book-to-movie adaptation, as he retains all of the Southern character and charm of the novel without sacrificing Lee's key themes. Because the intolerance of the townspeople is witnessed through the eyes of children (Mary Badham and Philip Alford, in impressively authentic performances), the feel is heightened and intensified. Their obsession with neighborhood ghoul Boo Radley (Robert Duvall, in his film debut) mirrors the town's racism, and the children's ability to eventually realize their foolishness hints at Lee's hope for the future. Oscar winner Gregory Peck is perfectly cast as Atticus, for his Lincoln-like integrity and intelligence perfectly serve the role. Peck hammers home the film's achingly authentic, timeless, and resonant plea for humanistic tolerance: The best way to understand another's problems is to get into his or her skin and walk around in it. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film was the winner of three (Best Actor, Art Direction, and Adapted Screenplay). This film is worth every single accolade it received -- a triumph, whose themes are still relevant to this very day.

• KJ P

  
  I loved it for following the book 100%, however, I was never really a huge fan of the book. Therefore, in the sense that it was good, was considerable for sure, but it's just not for me!

• Thomas B

  
  gregory peck is the father that we all wish we had in atticus finch. this movie works so well, even today. scout is adorable and jem is playful whilst all the while sending out a very political message

• moon r

  
  ZOWIE and how! an investigation of a youthful coming of age southern-style, with a twist of racial zenophobia thrown in...it's a big scary world out there, if we let it be... <br/>excellent acting thruout rounds out this absolute must-see!

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