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Created Dec 15, 2011 06:00PM PST • Edited Dec 15, 2011 06:00PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Gregory Peck gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Atticus Finch, a Southern lawyer defending a black man accused of raping a white woman in the 1930s. Based on the famous book by the same name, the story shines as an example of tolerance and acceptance of others.

   Peck recognized his work on this film as the crowning achievement of his storied career. His calm and cool demeanor pair well with his steely resolve, as he must find a way to keep an innocent man form going to jail. Complicating matters are the fact that the local townspeople all feel as though he must be guilty, even though there is amble evidence to dispute this fact.

   The film is filled with parables and lessons on intolerance, including it’s title. As told by Peck’s character, “…there is no reason to shoot a mockingbird. They are innocent and just make music.”

   Overcoming the racial intolerance, and finding the truth, creates a dichotomy of sorts, as the real villains are the townspeople and their simple-minded thinking. This was radical stuff for both the 1930s, when the story takes place, and the 1960s, when the film was made, and our great nation struggled with acceptance and racial harmony. Peck serves as the voice of reason, lending a calmness to a sea of hatred.

   But more interesting is the way this film is told through the eyes of children. Children who struggle to understand the hatred and violence. Children who live by their own code of right and wrong.

   A great film that, while a bit dated, still features fantastic acting and a riveting story.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

   Peck gives his greatest performance. His courtroom scenes are brilliant.

   Brock Peters does a fine job as Tom Robinson, a kind black man who endures an angry town.

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

   Collin Wilcox is wonderful as the backwoods girl who accuses an innocent man of rape.

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

   Mary Badham is brilliant as Scout, the young tom-boy daughter on Atticus. Her youthful honesty and playfulness offsets the nastiness of the adults.

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

   James Anderson is strong as the drunken father of the alleged victim.

   Robert Duvall has a small, but important part in his first movie role. Hard to recognize the young actor.

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

    Accurate reproduction of a small Southern town in the 1930s. The director gets the most out of all the actors, pushing them to give superb performances.

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

    Some fighting, and angry mob scene, and a scene where a dog is shot.

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

    Sadly, racism was an unfortunate way of life for the time period this film was set in.

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0