One of my favorite films about small-town America

Rating: 9/10 (5 October 1999)

This is one of Gregory Peck's finest hours. It's a moving, thoughtful portrait of a rural town during the Depression years. The story is told as seen through the eyes of Scout, the daughter of a small-town lawyer (Peck). The child's narration imbues this film with a sense of wonder, adventure, love and innocence that help the story work on several levels: as an adventure and morality play for children; as an absorbing social commentary on racism; as a way for adults to rediscover the joys and wonder of those childhood years; and as a celebration of all those things that make families the bedrock of a civilized nation. Two more good things about this film are: 1) It was filmed in glorious black and white, and 2) The soundtrack music (by Alex North) is beautiful. Reminds one of Aaron Copland music. See this film and give thanks for great directors and even greater stories.