STARRING: GREGORY PECK, MARY BADHAM, PHILIP
ALFORD, JOHN MEGNA, RUTH WHITE, PAUL FIX, BROCK PETERS, FRANK OVERTON,
ROSEMARY MURPHY, COLLIN WILCOX
Rated: G
Running Time; 2hrs. 11 min.
They don't
make 'em like this anymore folks. A tale of a Southern lawyer who must defend
a black man on trial, this film is one of the most gripping, tragic and heart
warming films Hollywood ever made, all rolled in one.
The lawyer played by Peck goes against
public opinion and defends Tom Robinson, a black servant accused of raping a
white woman. He makes many enemies for it, including a man who tries to murder
his children for it.
The film is largely set through the
eyes of his children, and allows for some lighter moments in an otherwise very
dark story. The performances by both Gregory Peck and the child-actors are
amazing, but most of all the performance by the black gentleman who plays Tom
Robinson as he pleads his innocence is breathtaking and tear jerking. The
story, set in the depression, shows many aspects of a still racist white
culture who willingly creates an injustice just to do away with a black man
they don't like.
But despite this tragedy there
is a wonderful development, for down the block from the lawyer's house lives a
mentally handicapped man who has been observing his children, and after saving
their lives he befriends them. It's truly a masterpiece of filmmaking. The
mood, the story and the characters are all superb. Maybe some families
wouldn't want to show it to their children for the heavy topic matter and for
the sometimes creepy scenes, but it is true quality and has nothing of offense
in the way of language or showing the supposed rape. The black victim is
referred to a nigger frequently, but that was the culture as unfortunate as it
was.
Story:
1/2 A gripping drama and a charming look into the
lives of three friends
Acting:
Awesome in this category, but I honestly believe
that the black actor playing Tom Robinson should have received Best Actor for
his performance. It brought some tears to my eyes.
Special effects: None
to speak of.
Language:
The
poor defendant is often referred to as a nigger, but other than that no
swearing.
Sexual content:
Topic
matter of rape, but not described
Heart enlightenment factor:
Even though you feel miserable for what
becomes of Robinson, the film picks you back up and makes you feel for the
development of the other characters, including Boo, the retarded man.
Overall:
A rare masterpiece, at least in my book.