To Kill a Mockingbird

Rating: 7/10 (23 September 2006)

I was told that this was mainly a courtroom drama, but from one point, it seems to be more about the kids and family. Also, I wonder why Atticus Finch was voted number 1 on 100 Years, 100 Heroes & Villains instead of James Bond or Indiana Jones, he didn't do much heroic stuff. Anyway, basically Atticus (Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Gregory Peck) lives with his maid and two kids Jean Louise 'Scout' (Oscar nominated Mary Badham) and Jeremy 'Jem' Finch (Phillip Alford). All I can say about the court case, which comes a lot later, is that Atticus tries quite hard, but he doesn't win the case to prove a Negroes innocence of raping a woman. The stories that I really am interested in involve the two kids and their new friend, Charles Baker 'Dill' Harris (John Megna) nearly investigating a psychopathic neighbourhood man, but later, you find out he is nothing like what they expected, and turns out to save one of them. Also starring Robert Duvall in his first film role as Arthur 'Boo' Radley. It is a good film, and I guess Atticus Finch is a great hero in some ways, I can't really say this is one of my favourite films, but definitely worth watching. It won the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and it was nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Director for Robert Mulligan (also nominated the Golden Globe), Best Music for Elmer Bernstein and Best Picture, and it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Film from any Source, and it won the Golden Globe for Best Film Promoting International Understanding, Best Motion Picture Score, and it was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Drama. Gregory Peck was 12 on 100 Years, 100 Stars - Men, the film was number 17 on 100 Years of Film Scores, it was number 23 on The 100 Greatest Tearjerkers, it was number 2 on 100 Years, 100 Cheers, and it was number 34 on 100 Years, 100 Movies. Very good!