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Summary: Harper Lee's neighbors
Review: Does anyone else know this? As always, many of Lee's characters in this growing-up novel were based on actual people from her past, including a strange, but very bright little boy who lived next door and became "Dill" in the novel. That little boy's name was Truman Capote.
Rating: 
Summary: a great movie not a great dvd
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. I love the great preformeces by all the actors. It is a great follow up to the book or you can say it is a wonderful court-room drama, a picture about the old south, and a coming of age story. While I love this movie there isn't much else on the dvd only a making off. I would love to see a bit more. However it is great piece of any movie collection.
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Summary: An American Classic
Review: It is rare that a book capture the hearts and minds of those who read it and becom what is considered an American Classic. It is even rarer when said book is succesfully transformed to a movie.Gregory Peck gives a wonderful portrail as Atticus Finch, the single father of two children in the Depression Era south. While the story revolves primarily around the lives of his two kids, Jem and Scout, it also centers on Atticus' involvement in the trial of a poor black man who is accussed of raping an even poorer white woman. This is a great movie and a must watch for anyone who wants to watch brilliant acting and brilliant characters.
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Summary: A Strong Film about Life, Innoncence and Coming of Age.
Review: When a lawyer (Gregory Peck in a Oscar Winning Role) is defeding a African American Man (Brock Peters) is accused of Rape. While the Two Children (Mary Badham & Philip Alford) are fascinated and afaird of a man named Arthur Radley, better known as Boo (Robert Duvall). This film is Based on a Novel by Harper Lee`s Best Selling Novel. Directed by Robert Mulligan and Produced by the late:Alan J. Pakula. This film is about family, color of race, truth and redemption. The Film also Win an Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also Nominated for Best Supporting Actress:Mary Badham, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Score and Best Picture. A well made drama. DVD has an fine non-anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an clear Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Sound. DVD Extras are:An fine running Commentary Track by Director:Mulligan and Producer:Pakula. A 80 Minute Documentary, Tralier, and Production Notes. This film is leisurely Paced, flavorful film to others. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: A Classy Gaff in a classic
Review: The children Jem, Scout, and Dill have gone to the courthouse to see if they can find the basement cell where 'Boo' had been imprisoned but instead go the the second floor enterance to the courtroom. Before them are the impressive SOLID three panel each twin doors to the courtroom beyond. There is a glass transom (horizontally hinged ventiation and light admitting window) above both doors. Of course there is no way these short people are going to see what is going on inside from down there so Jem and Scout hoist lighter Dill up to the window via a foothold in their cupped hands. The uppermost of the three panels in the otherwise solid doors is now clear glass besides the transom. After Dill describes the goings on within and the trio gets caught by Atticus, the audience can see both 'morphed" doors as Jem hangdoggedly explains their presence as commanded.
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Summary: Powerful Drama For All Ages
Review: When I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" as required reading in school, I knew that I was being introduced to the idea that literature could be used to communicate important social ideas. It is beautifully written and extremely memorable. When I first saw the film, I knew that I was watching a masterpiece come to life. Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his performance in this film, and it might be his finest performance of all. This film, and the novel behind it, take big social issues and make them extremely real and personal. Honesty, prejudice, tolerance, bigotry, racism, hatred, and mob violence all get examined under strong floodlights and through the eyes of a stubbornly and bravely moral lawyer and especially through the eyes of his two children, Jem and Scout. These issues are now resurfacing as crucial issues to address on a social level as well as within families. Watch this one with your kids, and leave time for a nice, long talk afterward.
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Summary: Outstanding!!
Review: To Kill a Mockingbird was without doubt one of the best books I had ever read so I prepared to watch this film with the typically pessimistic view that it could never reach such poignant heights. Harper Lee was able to capture those magical and enchanted feelings that accompany nostalgic reminiscence of ones childhood, and the creators of this wonderful film manage to adapt this to the screen with elegance and brilliance. On top of that, it is accompanied by a great score by Elmer Bernstein and some fantastic acting, most notably by Gregory Peck who was exactly how I had pictured Atticus and portrays his dignity and virtue exquisitely. The DVD also has some really worthwhile bonus features, with some interesting interviews with the cast (including the now adult Scout and Gem) and creators. In short, one of the wisest purchases in my collection!
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Summary: Watch the movie not the commentary
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird is arguably one of the greatest American films ever. You will never be dissapointed. However, do not waste your time with the commentary. I have bought some lousy DVD's (ex."Idle Hands") just for the joy of the inventive commentary. This is a classic with a horrible commentary. Director Robert Mulligan gives some good insight when he is allowed to speak. On the other hand Producer Alan Pakula (whose work I have always admired)unfortunately monopolizes the conversation, should have left the matter in Mulligan's hands and stayed out. His comments are interminably redundant: he must mentioned the key being the kid's point of view 800 times (have you no other thing to offer?), constant stroking of Mulligan whom he refers to monotonously in the third person ("Bob" does this or that)even though they are sitting beside one another, and frequently whispers his comments to Mulligan so as not to include the audience (perhaps a blessing, but annoying in its exclusion). One of the most aggravating issues is slighting the actors (except the kids and Peck), not introducing them or talking much about them and ignoring some amazing choices (chief among being Collin Wilcox just barely not touching the Bible as she prepares to testify and lie - brilliant or didn't they notice?). Buy the movie. Ignore the disservice they do to their own work by talking about it.
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Summary: Actually I need to give it higher ratings
Review: Just one glance at Robert J. Mulligan's 1962 film and you will see why it (unlike many of today's contenders) is a true American masterpiece. Based on Harper Lee's novel of the same name, this film narrates the realities of growing up in the south during the depression while watching her father defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. The difficult subjects of racism and the legal system are addressed in a timeless response that does not fade despite comparatively more advanced filming techniques or altering legal realities. As the Anglo protagonist Atticus Finch, Gregory Peck delivers one of the most excellent character performances of his film career. His task in the throes of segregation is a gloomy prospect (with judges and jurors predisposed to bias against your client from day one) but Finch trudges stoically on throughout the screenplay. This imparts to his children the importance of standing up for what you believe in and being an open minded person that tries to treat everybody fairly. Certainly the family faces retribution from narrow-minded community members, but the children learn those attacks are a small price to pay for the greater good of a society without bias and injustice. It is better to place yourself on the line for your principles than to say/do nothing and let things continue as they had always occurred. That in itself would be a powerful statement for a film produced during resurrection of the American civil rights movement, but it also tackles the biases surrounding people with disabilities in the character of Boo Radley. As the town "idiot", he is an enigma to the local children--who spend a considerable amount of time in the film fascinated by the rumors surrounding this man---until he becomes the one who saves Scout from vicious attack related to her father's case. Like Jim, he represents the "Mockingbird"-entities who do not harm anything else and therefore should be treated with kindness. Finally, Scout's proto-feminism in wondering why she would be treated differently than her younger brother foreshadows the resurrection of the feminist movement in America. Despite Atticus's comparatively progressive stance on race issues, he unwittingly bought into sexist assumptions about gender roles.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Classic
Review: It started with the gift of Harper Lee's magical book, a gift to literature., indeed. Then came the movie, a gift to cinema that withstands the test of time. Just look at the opening credits, quite possibly one of the most ingenious and modern looking segments in cinema over the last forty years. It's simplicity absolutely captures the film, while setting the magical mystery on its course, the world of children in a box. Then move on to Gregory Peck's most moving, strong, amazing performance; it's quite possibly the perfect match with role, actor, screenplay. His dignity shines through a dignified role. And then there are the kids, two unknowns, who do their best acting by just being themselves. Mary Badham is absolutely charming and stunning in her innocent portrayal of a terribly difficult role. But what shines most is the story... the story of a black man unjustly accused of a hideous act, the story of a spooky man who lives a life of hiding, ultimately, how we judge others is how we are judged. And that is the lasting gift of this movie, and this DVD. Note: the bonus documentary on the DVD is amazing, long, and very informative, worth all of your time.
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