One of the finest films of the century.

Rating: 10/10 (12 November 1999)

A neglected classic, that needs and deserves to be seen a lot more than it is. No other film or series, with the possible exception of The Waltons, has got as close to the heart and soul of rural America as this one.
Gregory Peck, in his finest role, plays Atticus Finch exactly as the book describes him - a good and decent man trying to to the right thing in a society that just will not allow him to do that. The fact that we see how all aspects of the community interact and view the trial of Tom Robinson hammers home the point of how pervasive and common racism was in those days. The closing scenes in the courtroom still give a chill today.
The two child actors do an excellent job of bringing Jem and Scout to life, but the other real star to me is Robert Duvall. Boo Radley is the great unheard presence in the book, and he manages without words to bring out the tragedy and heroism in this character. I defy anyone not to be moved to tears by the closing scenes on the Porch, or Atticus' words 'Thank you Arthur for my children.'