To kill a mocking bird is a movie created that portrays characters and events that occur in the book by Harper Lee. The story is set in the depression era in Alabama. The main characters are scout, her brother and their father Atticus.
No matter how good a film is made, it just doesn’t have the same feel as the book. But in this case, the producer has given proper respect and love to depict the childhood of scout and the court case.
Essentially, the movie does portray all the relevant themes that are prominent in the book and presents them in excellent scripts and true-to-the-book scenes. Unfortunately this movie has a lack of visual effects, a tiny amount of settings and a heavy handed dialogue. Even though this movie is lacking in cinematographic aspects, we still understand the story. Movies like this rally for more current political causes so the visual effects isn’t such a big thing so long as the acting is strong. The strength of the issues relayed in these classics don’t lose their appeal.
The story is told from scouts point of view (just like the book) and depicts her fathers struggle for justice in a small, racist community. Atticus tries his best to put the wrong, right and takes the impossible case with quiet fervor so he doesn’t lose his friends, dignity, self respect and his childrens safety.
The movie also shows events from scouts every day life. That is, going to school, getting into fights and playing daring games with her friends. It cleverly portrays Scout’s tomboyish ways and how she reacts ( along with many other characters) after the court case.
This story has two major strands, the most important one is about Atticus and the things he does to bring up justice. In this case it is defending a black man on a charge of raping a white woman. The second strand but equally as important is the journey of scout through childhood to adulthood. With the growing curiosity for a neighbor named Boo as the main symbol.
During the time when this film was made, the US was having major debates over the rights of negroes. And this film portrays events that may have similar true stories in real life. For those who watched the film when it came out, they would have changed their views about negroes and how they had been treated in Americas history. This movie has important significance in the US.
To kill a mockingbird is designed for all to see but is mainly targeted to younger children. It is not just a good film about children but a good serious film for children. This is not to say that adults cannot watch it, I personally recommend it to adults for it is important to think about what Negroes in the past have been put through and how many attempts to improve it have miserably failed.
To kill a mockingbird is an old film but it can still entertain as it preaches its messages. It is worth it for those who can bare to sit through a two-hour long chatty movie. Though not all aspects of the film are true to the book, it still gives us the main message which the book gives us about racial equality.