Robert Mulligan Shoots To Kill

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2010)

In depression-era Alabama, two young children (Mary Badham and Phillip Alford) are afraid of a light-skinned White man (Robert Duvall) while their father (Gregory Peck) defends a dark-skinned Black man (Brock Peters) accused of rape. Mr. Peck helps his children maneuver the fear and prejudice that grips us on the verge of adulthood. The prosecution of Tom Robinson, which has become a cliché, is often given as the film's basic plot; but, this is a serious miscalculation as this much more than a courtroom drama. That story is meant to work in conjunction with the one involving Arthur "Boo" Radley; together, they give the story poetic justice.
This film is impeccable. The ensemble cast is miraculous (witness John Megna as Truman Capote). The photography (by Russell Harlan) and music (by Elmer Bernstein) are symphonious. And, director Robert Mulligan shoots it as a horror story. This may seem strange; but, when you think about it, "To Kill a Mockingbird" couldn't be shot any other way. It's terrifying. Remember, "It's a sin to kill a mockingbird." If you've never read Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize-winning novel (1960), watching Horton Foote's Oscar-awarded adaptation and reading Ms. Lee's book (in whatever order you wish) are a couple of those things to do before you die.
********** To Kill a Mockingbird (12/25/62) Robert Mulligan ~ Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna