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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

"All Men Are Created Equal"

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The 1963 classic movie TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD tells the story from the point of view of a young girl nicknamed Scout. The setting is a dusty Southern town during the Depression. Scout and her brother, Jim, call their father Atticus. Their mother died when they were young. Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, is a wise, compassionate, exceptional attorney in this small southern town. Because he has to go to work every day, he leaves Scout and Jim at home with their housekeeper Calpurnia. As Scout and Jim ponder the mysteries of a scary neighbor who might be insane, Atticus has to defend a black man from a rape charge.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a masterpiece. The script is exceptional and should be a model of great scriptwriting. The direction is incredible. The acting is wonderful. Gregory Peck gives one of his greatest performances as Atticus Finch. Atticus in many ways represents a Christian. Also, the children themselves learn some valuable Christian lessons along the way. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a timeless classic for older children and adults.

Content:

(CCC, BBB, PC, V, S, M) Christian worldview stressing all men are created equal and love thy neighbor as thyself with very few politically correct elements, although it was highly controversial when it was made; no foul language; girl fights with boys at school and beats them, court description of sexual attack and beating, mention off screen of a shooting off screen, man attacks little boy and another man saves the boy by killing the man, but nothing’s shown, man shoots a rabid dog; courtroom testimony implies a rape; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking; and, racism, prejudice and vigilantes but rebuked.

More Detail:

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a masterpiece. The script is exceptional and should be a model of great scriptwriting. The direction is incredible. The acting is wonderful. It is timeless.

The movie tells the story from the point of view of a young girl nicknamed Scout. The setting is a dusty Southern town during the Depression. Scout and her brother, Jim, call their father Atticus. Their mother died when they were young. Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, is a wise, compassionate, exceptional attorney in this small southern town. Because he has to go to work every day, he leaves Scout and Jim at home with their housekeeper Calpurnia.

In their investigations of every part of the town and countryside, Scout and Jim are curious about Boo Ridley, an insane man who’s supposedly locked up by his father in their house. Several times they get close to the house, only to be scared out of their wits. Once when they return, they find a commotion. Judge Taylor asks Atticus if he will represent a black man, John Robinson, who’s accused of raping and beating a poor white woman. He’s accused by the woman’s father, who is a truly mean bigot.

The sheriff warns Atticus that the whites in town might come to lynch John, so Atticus sits all night in front of the jail with his rifle. In their adventures, Scout, Jim, and their friend, Dale, join him just as the mob comes up to take John Robinson. Scout recognizes the father of a friend of hers and starts chatting with him. Her reaching out and recognizing individuals deflates their lynch-mob mentality, and they go home.

At the trial, it becomes clear John Robinson lost the use of his left arm and could not have beaten and strangled the woman, but the father is left-handed and is most likely the culprit. However, it’s also clear John can’t get a fair trial.

Meanwhile, the father of the abused woman is out for revenge against Atticus and his family. Both of these plot streams culminate in tragedy and triumph.

To praise TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD would be redundant since so many critics have put it into their great movie list. In light of the years since it was released, it’s clear it helped precipitate the Civil Rights Movement, but all movements have a double edge, and it cast a shadow of racism and bigotry on the South which is still fixed in the minds of many people, including entertainment industry leaders. Be that as it may, it is clear from this movie that there are good Southerners like Atticus, the sheriff and the judge, and some that aren’t so good like the poor who are trapped in the Depression. One might as well say that the poor are the racists. However, walking away with any of these political opinions ignores the heart of the movie, which is the Christian principles that there’s a loving God who created all men equal and who calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Atticus in many ways represents a Christian and Gregory Peck gives one of his best performances here. Also, the children themselves learn some valuable Christian lessons along the way. If you see the movie in that light, then it is a truly worthwhile masterpiece.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.