365 High-Def Days of Oscar: Day 4
Year: 1962
Oscar Wins:
Best Actor
Best Art Direction (Black & White)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Oscar Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography (Black & White)
Best Supporting Actress
THE PLOT THUS FAR
Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a realistic film that includes idioms and symbols to give to the audience a better idea of the book and also a better understanding. The movie emphasizes in the trial scenes but also in the history that was going on with the children and Boo. It gives us an idea of how different the world of the kids is and makes us understand that even though they are children they also understand what is going on around them and with the innocence and truth they can make adults understand them. The characters of the movie were definitely well played. The actors were really into their roles and made all scenes to be realistic to have an impact on the audience.
Gregory Peck had many fine performances over his storied career, but none every approached the perfection he brought to his portrayal of Atticus Finch. As Atticus, Peck brings us the depth of understanding as to how his love for Jem and Scout enables him to treat his children with respect and honesty. He never talks down to them, but approaches them on a level in which children of their age can comprehend and learn from his own wisdom. Yet, he is still able to retain the same no nonsense approach as other parents. Atticus is also a man who believes in the integrity of justice, yet recognizes the failings of our justice system. When called upon to do his duty, he does so, despite the hatred and venom brought to bear upon him and his children by the citizens of the town in which he lives.
In casting Jem, Scout and Dill, Producer Alan J. Pakula and Director Robert Mulligan faced a daunting task. So much of the success of To Kill A Mockingbird depended on the pivotal role these characters would play in the film. For Jem he chose Philip Alford, for Scout, Mary Badham, and for Dill, John Megna. Alford and Badham were both southern natives who had never been in films before. Megna was a New York native but was also inexperienced. It is this inexperience and lack of polish that enables all three to shine on the screen. Mulligan began filming by letting them act as if making a film was like recess, allowing them to play on the set, and only moving the camera gradually as they became accustomed to their surroundings. It paid off in every way imaginable. None of the three ever appear as if they are actors acting, and bring a childlike wonder and presence to their roles that I had never seen before, and will unlikely witness again.
The Blu-Ray comes with the Fearful Symmetry documentary, archival footage, commentary, trailers and featurettes. If that wasn’t enough, Universal continues their 100 Years Celebration by showing how the restored this American classic. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track is reference quality with an amazing 1080p transfer to match it. All of the featurettes from the last Collector’s Edition DVD has been ported over, but it fails to compare to the insane HD transfer on display. Plus, it seems like AMPAS has been allowing more and more footage to be used in these revisits to classic filmdom. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
