It’s not auteur cinema but a remarkable combination of elements: Harper Lee’s genius source material of course, Gregory Peck’s Oscar-winning lead performance (sadly at the cost of the slightly more deserving Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia), Elmer Bernstein’s score, those gorgeous opening titles by Stephen Frankfurt
Narrative propelled by the adult Scout’s voice-over
It’s one of Bernstein’s quieter scores- really wonderful but closer to Far from Heaven—this is not the bombastic work of Man with the Golden Arm, Magnificent Seven, True Grit
Great scene of Peck eavesdropping on his children talking in bed about their mother who had passed on—very sweet— in the next scene they talk about the children, in turn, eavesdropped on the Judge talking to “Atticus” on the porch, too
Moral lessons- what’s worth fearing in the world- the unknown “boogeyman” of Boo Radley or racism
Rich characterizations—Dill, Scout, Atticus, Boo—it may seem trite to praise it since they’re coming from one of the great 20th century novels but source material aside these are such praise-worthy characters and narrative
Debut for Robert Duvall- and it’s a key role in the film
It does, in the second half, turn into a courtroom drama- but Peck is up for carrying the firm- he’s a great orator, that baritone voice—combined with the tortoiseshell glasses, seersucker suit—there’s a 3 minute long take during his summation. He’s a man of virtue, patience
@ Bobby– Yeah- i mean i don’t have a problem if someone has Peck on their list i just think others are more deserving. This is his shining hour here in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (though he was very good in many films)– and it’s about the 12th best film of 1962. I don’t have another year, in 100+ years of cinema, where I think Peck is one of the best 5-6 actors of the year. It’s just this one in 1962 and i don’t think it’s the performance of the year.
I was surprised peck wasn’t in your top 100 actors
@ Bobby– Yeah- i mean i don’t have a problem if someone has Peck on their list i just think others are more deserving. This is his shining hour here in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (though he was very good in many films)– and it’s about the 12th best film of 1962. I don’t have another year, in 100+ years of cinema, where I think Peck is one of the best 5-6 actors of the year. It’s just this one in 1962 and i don’t think it’s the performance of the year.
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