Introduction
Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960. The novel tackled several pressing social issues in America at the time, ranging from racial injustice to class divisions. Despite some criticism, the book won the Pulitzer Prize and soon became a staple of modern American literature. For decades, it was widely taught in schools and considered a classic. However, due to its use of derogatory language and depictions of drugs and firearms, the book has been banned in many schools.
In 1962, To Kill a Mockingbird was adapted into a film. Gregory Peck starred as Atticus Finch, delivering a performance that moved audiences nationwide. The film’s release coincided with the civil rights movement in the United States. I believe Peck’s portrayal of Atticus, a man who stood for justice and equality, inspired many Americans to support the cause of civil rights movements during the 1960s.
In my blog last week, I mentioned the “Jim Crow Laws,” which legalized racial segregation and reduced African Americans to second-class citizenship. I found out that there was a movie adaptation of this book from my husband, so I decided to watch it with my husband.
There are some differences between the movie and the book. The trial of Tom Robinson dominates the second half of the film. However, the core part, addressing the most critical social issues of racial justification and moral courage, was present. Despite overwhelming evidence that proved Tom’s innocence, the 12-member all-white jury convicted him. Furthermore, the community scorned Atticus for defending him, even though the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution should have guaranteed a fair trial for Tom. It seems a social norm in the southern part of the states at this time due to the Jim Crow law, which put African American people as the 2nd level citizens. The moral courage part is that Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson despite the social norm because he thinks that is right.
In some parts of the U.S. today, books and movies are unavailable in schools and libraries due to ongoing debates about their content. Both address significant social issues at the time and highlight the importance of moral courage, making them still relevant today.
Background of the Movie
In 1962, the movie was released. Robert Mulligan directed the film, and Horton Foote wrote the screenplay from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Initially, the producers wanted to film in Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, as the town inspired the book. However, they ended up using the back lot of Universal Studios, as Mary Badham (who played Scout) mentioned in an Oscars interview 2012. Gregory Peck, one of my favorite actors, starred the Scout’s father, Atticus Finch. The film was met with critical acclaim and won three Academy Awards: Best Actor for Gregory Peck, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction.
The movie opens with an orchestra, turning into a nostalgic piano score that immediately sets a reflective, almost melancholy tone. It is a black-and-white film with a certain timeless, documentary-like quality. It makes me feel like watching a high-quality old family movie made back in the early 20th century, which I just found in my basement. Color movies were already available, so the artistic choice was to enhance the historical feel and underscore the story’s gravity.
The book goes back and forces Scout’s childhood perception and perception as an adult. The film adapted the novel’s dual narrative, her youthful observations, and her adult reflections. The narration helps the viewers through complex themes, making it easier to understand without reading the book. The way the narration was made in the movie made me feel like listening to someone talking about childhood with a film to go with it. I got a poignant storytelling experience visually.
While the film addresses the serious social issues of its time, it doesn’t come across as a purely tragic historical drama. It also delivers through the lens of Scout’s innocent and ignorant point of view. Also, the film emphasizes its characters’ humanity and moral courage more than the many issues addressed in the book.
Differences Between the Book and the Movie
There were differences between the movie and the film. For example, the film entirely skips the subplot with Mrs. Dubose after Jem destroys her garden, a pivotal moment for Jem to understand moral strength. Similarly, the film omitted the fight between her cousin Frances and Aunt Alexandra’s extended stay with them, which made Scout realize the gender role difference for females at the time. The book addresses so many social issues of the time that a single film could not pick on all of them. So, they focused on Scout’s internal growth and social justification.
The omissions did not bother me. The film still addresses the social range of the 1930s Southern United States, focusing more on moral courage and racial justification, which is the message that the author wants to deliver from the book anyway.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie is where Atticus points the gun toward the Rabid dog, and he drops his glasses. That was the Boo’s perspective, written in chapter 31 of the book. The film was taken front-facing the character, so it made as seen the situation from Boo’s eyes, which, I felt, saw as a brilliant artistic choice to maintain Boo’s subtle yet significant presence in the movie.
Finally, it is because Gregory Peck deliberately, carefully, and carefully pronounces each word—precisely how I imagined Atticus Finch talking to his children. His calm and thoughtful quiet voices portrayed Atticus as a Lawyer, a father, and a moral compass.
Visual Storytelling and Cinematography.
Color films became popular in the 1960s; however, To Kill A Mockingbird was shot using black and white, just like Psyco and The Apartment, for artistic and practical reasons. I felt that the film To Kill a Mockingbird used black and white, as it added more to the timeless, even touch of melancholic tones. To Kill a Mockingbird was written in a touch of Southern Gothic style to cast out more creepy. For example, the scene with the empty moving swing on the Radely Pouch on a black-and-white screen was creepy. The contrast between light and shadow in black and white also amplifies the effects of suspense, tension, and uneasiness in the small town.
One of the most iconic sequences in the movie was the trial. The scene was masterfully shot so that I could feel the emotion of the characters. For example, Brock Peter, who played Tom Robinson, played his role well in the courthouse. Hesitation in the voice when he reluctantly admitted that he felt sorry for Mayella reflects his awareness of the social and racial boundaries he was crossing. The trial scene broke my heart, even though I knew what would happen with the trial. I saw his hope shattered from his face when he was given the guilty verdict and left the courtroom, which delivered a heartbreaking performance. He performed as if he could not hear Atticus, conveying a deep despair and loss.
Finally, in the last part of the trial, the black community gave Atticus full respect and thanks for defending Tom Robinson. Gregory Peck could not even look at them, leaving the courtroom without words. He probably knew the trial’s outcome; it must have been disappointing. The whole part illustrated the film’s quiet moments of dignity in the face of overwhelming injustice, which no man, even Atticus, could cross.
Themes and Messages
The movie adaptation focuses more on the core themes such as racial injustice, the loss of innocence, and moral courage. Lee’s book touches on a wide range of issues, such as poverty, violence against women, Dill’s experience as an orphan, the morphine addiction problem, and class division. The film’s narrow focus was for practical reasons. Too many social problems might overwhelm viewers if they haven’t read the book. As a result, the film centers primarily on the trial of Tom Robinson. The movie still powerfully portrayed racial justice and the moral complexity of confronting prejudice.
One critical distinction between the film adaptation and the book is the way the movie handled the theme of justice. The movie’s heart was built around Tom Robinson’s case, while the book touches on other social aspects of the Maycomb community. For example, Calpurnia’s family had limited access to education and church, which shows the clear racial division due to the Jim Crow Laws. However, those changes did not detract from the profound message of the author, such as racial injustice, the loss of innocence, and moral courage.
Despite its narrow focus, the movie still delivers timeless lessons to viewers today. Atticus Finch stands as a role model for having the moral courage to stand up for what’s right by committing to defending Tom Robinson, even if it is unconventional. Atticus shows the viewer that true courage is not all about winning but about standing up for justice, even when it’s unpopular and dangerous. The lesson of empathy – Atticus teaches his children to work in someone’s shoes before passing judgment, is still important today.
Conclusion
The movie adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird was excellent. The choice of black and white gave the film a timeless, melancholy feel that perfectly matched the gravity of the story’s theme. However, there are some differences between the book and the film. The movie focuses on the books’ themes, allowing them to deliver their central message with clarity and power.
The movie delivered a strong message that racial injustice exists in the United States and the importance of moral courage in standing up against it. Released during the height of the civil rights movement in the United States, the film played a role in raising awareness and fostering empathy for those people who were fighting for equality at that time. It still impacts beyond its time and echoes important lessons to viewers.
The movie is rated 18+. I encourage you to watch or rewatch it.
ReferencesOscars (Director). (2012, April 16). Scout (Mary Badham) from “To Kill a Mockingbird” talks about the making of the film [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijbFbpSqJo
