Greatest Written Films
Harper Lee wrote her famous book based on her childhood in
small town Alabama; specifically, an event which occurred during that time, in
the mid-thirties. It is this nostalgia which drenches the first half of the
film version of her only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. It is endearing without
ever being schmaltzy. Most can relate to the wonder and freedom of childhood,
and it’s easy to see how adventurous and imagination filled it was for children
who grew up pre-television and video games. Something has been lost. Indeed the
title itself is a metaphor for the loss of innocence.
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| Harper Lee with Gregory Peck |
The second half of the film is a courtroom drama based on
racial prejudice. It centres on a rape case, a black man of a white woman,
highly contentious issues at the time of publication, 1960, though the story is
set much earlier. Lee was ahead of the game when she began writing essays about
racism in the fifties, especially as she was from the South.
The film was released in 1962 by director Robert Mulligan
with the screenplay by Horton Foote (which won an Oscar). With the charismatic
Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus Finch, it's a dream combination. Peck gives
one of his best and certainly his most well-known performance. It also won him
an Oscar. He remembered it with reverence. Many say there was no difference
between Peck and his character.
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| Film scene. |
Lee was a friend of Truman Capote. She is depicted in the
films, Capote and Infamous. Interestingly, she never wrote another novel, and
remained out of the spotlight. The character of Atticus was based on her
father, who was an attorney. He actually defended two black men accused of
murder. After they were convicted hanged and mutilated, he never tried another
criminal case.
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| Truman Capote with Harper. |
The film is told with great authenticity, compassion and
integrity. It is one of cinema's great stories but carries with it, the
all-pervading essence of truth.
For more information about the novel... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird
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Yes, definitely one of the best movies and books of all time. I heard Lee had a falling out with Capote, and that's why she didn't write another book.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
I remember being really moved by this book and movie when we studied at school for year 9.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't mind reading it again.
Glad to hear it did the rounds in schools. I didn't know about her split with Capote. Which adds fuel to the fire that he actually wrote it.
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