Very sad, but for 50+ years this film has always remained on top

Rating: Null/10 (9 November 2011)

To Kill A Mockingbird, considered to be one of the all time greatest movies that everyone just adores. The reason this film stands out to me is because it was the first time we read the book in high school but never watched the movie afterwards, don't know why. But anyhow I watched it today and I cannot believe my teacher didn't show us this great film. What truly steals the picture is Gregory Peck's performance as Atticus. He so deeply got into that role and gave it such passion which you couldn't argue his Oscar award for it. Dealing with the harsh reality of racism, the cruelty and seeing it through the eyes of an innocent child was just heart breaking. As a child we see things so black and white(no pun intended) and don't want to see the bad in certain things. We look at a human being past the age, sex, race or religion and as we grow older certain prejudices take place as the world can be cruel or raised with certain premonitions. To Kill A Mockingbird takes a look at the time where a black person was considered not to be human and reminds us that sometimes there is still good in those who stand against such ignorance.
Scout Finch and her brother Jem, live in Alabama, during the 1930s. They begin as innocent children, who spend their days happily playing games with each other and spying on Arthur "Boo" Radley, the town bogeyman. Through their father, Atticus' work as a lawyer, they begin to learn of the racism and evil prevalent in their town, and mature painfully as they are exposed to it. The kids follow Atticus to watch a rape trial, in which an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, is wrongfully found guilty, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary and even after Atticus' earnest pleas to the jury for them to cast aside their prejudices against Blacks and instead to focus on the evidence of Tom's obvious innocence. The town turns against Atticus and his family claiming that they are "N" Lovers and torture the children only to be surprised at who is on their side.
This film made me cry, not easy to do on the first watch, but there is a moment in the court room after Tom Robinson's unfair verdict and the blacks are sitting in the balcony above. As Atticus sadly packs his things leaving the court room, everyone leaves but the black folks above and they stand for him out of respect and love. It proves there are no small parts, only small actors and that scene was absolutely incredible. Also the moment where Atticus has to tell his wife that Tom Robinson is dead and she just falls in Atticus' arms almost killed me. Then to have this racist bigot come up to Atticus when you think he might have a shred of dignity to give Atticus some credit on a well fought trial, he instead spits in Atticus' face. Poor Atticus and Tom Robinson were never given the proper chance because of the color of his skin which still exists today in America sadly, we're just not as "out loud" about it which could be worse on some level.
My only complaint about the film is that the beginning is a little slow paced for my tastes, I understand that they are trying to show the children's lives and what they like to do, but it didn't hold my interest too well. Then the scene where they see a rabid dog, Atticus comes and shoots it, why? What was the purpose of that scene? I might have missed it somewhere but I hate to see animals killed or injured and that scene was a bit much for me. Maybe it shows though that when he hears of Tom Robinson's death and the way he was killed, he has a little bit of guilt in the way he was so quick to shoot the dog like it was nothing. That's the only thing I could come up with at least. Otherwise, I think this film is still important today, even for 50+ years it holds true. Wonderfully acted and a terrific story, this film is as great as I expected it to be.
9/10