Movie Minx

Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Robert Duvall
Directed by: Robert Mulligan

Plot: Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge and his kids against prejudice.

But is it any good?

I’d read the book of To Kill a Mockingbird already, so knew what would happen, but it made no difference. This is one of the most moving films you’ll ever see, and its age (both film and book) makes no difference whatsoever to its impact.

Despite the now ho-hum presence of a courtroom scene in many movies, this one is electric. Gregory Peck deserved his best actor Oscar for his role as the noble lawyer who stands up for what he believes in. Mockingbird is still one of the best depictions of racism on film I’ve ever seen and should be essential viewing for everyone. ‘Nuff said.

Oh, but PS: If one thing has dated, it’s the allowing of oddball, hidden-away neighbour Boo Radley (Duvall) to hang out alone with the two kiddies and stroke Jem’s hair. Yes, he’d saved their lives but in today’s world that still wouldn’t wash.

IMDb’s rating: 8.5/10
My rating: 9.5/10

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