A beautiful masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (2 September 2005)

Robert Mulligan's adaptation of Harper Lee's beloved novel about the beauty of childhood and the ugliness of racism in a small southern town. Gregory Peck is lawyer Atticus Finch who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus is a widower who is raising daughter Scout and son Jem. This movie perfectly depicts life in the small town South through the eyes of young Scout. The racial message of the film might lack the punch it had in the 1960's but the other story lines hold up. This is a quiet movie, much like Peck's Atticus character, that draws you in. The character of Dill the city boy who visits in the summer, is based on Truman Capote who Harper Lee knew when they were children. Robert Duval in his first, and tiny, role as the mysterious neighbor Boo Radley. #34 on the American Film Institute's 100 greatest films list.