To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

"Atticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice."

- IMDB

I actually lived in Monroeville for a few years, the town that Maycomb is based on. Our post office was in the town square that the real life Court House is located. I took a couple field trips to that courthouse and stood in the very room that was rebuilt as a set in Hollywood. I've read the book, seen the play, and watched the movie. I had an English teacher in middle school that made us study the book for like half a year. I've also read more Truman Capote stories than I think I cared for at the time. My sisters went to the elementary school right by the ice scream shop that Harper Lee's house once stood. We went there often and I always got a vanilla-raspberry swirl. Needless to say, I have a deep history with this film. After not watching it for many years, I'm glad to say I tremendously enjoyed it and I definitely have a new appreciation for it as well.

This was mainly a coming of age story of Jem & Scout. These rambunctious kids are seen having a normal childhood, running around, causing mischief. But they learn so much about the world through their father & the Tom Robinson case. Which leads me to Atticus...

My essay about Atticus & his kids:

I fell in love with the character of Atticus Finch. Atticus is such a well written character, and his best qualities are reflected through his children throughout the story in many ways.  

Atticus is against violence, even refuses to own a gun. Jem questions this as it’s quite common for his classmates to play with their parents’ guns, and is surprised when Atticus shoots the rabid dog with perfect aim. This extends to Atticus and his way of being the bigger person. Mr. Ewell spits in his face and Atticus walks away rather than fight back. This does not eliminate his bravery & resilience when he refuses to stand down when others tell him no. He took on the case when society told him not to. He was also ready to defend Tom at the jail. Jem & Scout were told to go home in that same scene, but just like their father, they disobeyed, displayed resilience, and stood by his side anyway. Scout also refused to run away when they were attacked and tried to help Jem the best she could while being stuck in that ham costume. 

One of the most important qualities passed on is Atticus’s respect & acceptance of black people. He openly regards them as equal human beings. Because of this attitude, Jem & Scout are comfortable around black people and respect them. They even see Calpurnia as a maternal figure as she often helps with caring for them. They listen to her when she asks them to do something and Scout didn’t retaliate at all when Calpurnia gives her a stern talking to. The children never make racist remarks and learn the hard way that this makes them stand out from the current society.

Focusing on the rest of the movie a bit - To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic Man vs Society conflict. Specifically, it’s Tom & Atticus vs Racism. Of course, Tom as a Black man in the 1930’s in the deep South of America seemed to have the whole world against him. Even with all the evidence leading to the contrary, he is still found guilty. Atticus is also going against his own society by going against what he called “the code” as he desperately defends Tom. In a powerful speech, he urges the jury to understand that Tom should be treated with equal rights as a human being. He states that the society’s rules and assumptions about black people are a lie. In the end, Tom & Atticus lose. But there is a third party that was able to take a little win from the experience – the Black community of Maycomb. While the rest of the town may continue to be prejudice, the Black Community knows that they now have a voice to speak for them even if no one will listen yet. That voice is Atticus. And that was the impact his trail speech made. That was what made To Kill a Mockingbird so important to American culture.

Atticus states that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they’re just innocent creatures singing their song. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are the “mockingbirds” of the story. All Tom was trying to do was help a friendly neighbor. He didn’t know that it would lead to his arrest and death. Ewell didn’t pull the trigger in the end, but he’s seen as the reason he’s dead. Because of his sin, he got his comeuppance in the end. As for Boo, he was very misunderstood (possibly autistic?) but was still trying to find a friend in Scout & Jem. He might’ve been the reason Ewell died, but he was just trying to protect the kids. Arresting him would’ve continued the cycle of the sin as another mockingbird was trying to “sing its song.”

As you can see, there so much to take away from this movie. (I hope my analysis made my old teachers proud) As an adaption & a stand alone film, To Kill a Mockingbird is a phenomenal film with a theme that withstands the test of time, unfortunately still being a little relevant after so many years. The casting is great, with Gregory Peck & Mary Bedham as wonderful standouts of the film. Music and cinematography aspects also work together to create a heartwarming movie everyone should see at least once. 

My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆