ATTICUS. Well, I don't know that I have much else of value that belongs to me. But there's a pearl necklace...and there's a ring that belonged to your mother...and I've put them away...and they're to be yours.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Director: Robert Mulligan
Screenplay: Horton Foote (Academy Award Best Adaptation), based on the novel by Harper Lee
Music: Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography: Russell Harlan
Atticus Finch: Gregory Peck (Academy Award Best Actor) Scout: Mary Badham
Jem: Phillip Alford
Dill: John Megna
Heck Tate: Frank Overton
Miss Maudie: Rosemary Murphy
Mrs. Dubose: Ruth White
Tom Robinson: Brock Peters
Calpurnia: Estelle Evans
Judge Taylor: Paul Fix
Mayella Ewell: Colin Wilcox
Bob Ewell: James Anderson
Miss Stephanie Crawford: Alice Ghostly
Arthur "Boo" Radley: Robert Duvall
Mr. Gilmer: Willian Windom
Walter Cunningham: Crahan Denton
Adult Scout (narrator): Kim Stanley
Released 25 December 1962 Budget $2 million ($16.5 million in 2019)
Box Office $13.1 million ($108.2 million in 2019)
A staged shot of Atticus (Gregory Peck), Scout (Mary Badham), and Jem (Phillip Alford):
What has made the film so beloved is its story—which follows so closely to Lee's novel. Along with its massive popular success and Oscars, the American Film Institute (AFI) named Atticus Finch the greatest movie hero of the 20th century, the film itself the 25th greatest movie of all time as well as the best courtroom film, and the music by Elmer Bernstein the 17th greatest film score.
So...
1. Your reaction to the what you've seen? And how successfully is this—for you—an adaptation of the novel? What works? What doesn't?
2. What scene or image or moment stayed with you—and why?
3. The filmmakers made a deliberate decision to film this in black and white. What's the effect of that for you? Do you like it? Dislike it? Does it make sense?
250-300 words.
Here's a scene not in the book.
200 words. See you tomorrow.
I have enjoyed the movie version version of To Kill a Mockingbird so far. The acting and soundtrack is of a very high quality in my opinion. I think it's pretty accurate adaptation of the book so far. Scout's curiosity, which was a crucial component of her character in the book, has been made apparent in the movie as well. I was very intrigued by the movie’s portayl of the three children because it seemed as though they were much more curious about Boo Radley than they were afraid of him. I don’t think he was demonized to the exttent that he was in the book
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Dill, Scout, and Jem sneak onto Boo Radley’s porch was quite compelling and more than a little disturbing. It was the scene that stuck out the most to me. The scene started in a pretty comical manner, with Scout and Dill spitting on the henges of the gate in order to prevent it from making noise but it became much more disconcerting when we see the massive shadow looming over Jem.
I think that the film being in black and white serves two main purposes. Firstly, it makes the world that the characters inhabit seem more old-fashioned, reminding us that the movie is set during the Great Depression. It also highlights how divided the town and the world is. Not only in terms of race, but class as well. The upper class looks down on the middle class and the middles class looks down on the poor and everyone looks down on people of color. The stark difference between the appearance of white people and black people accentuates how different their lives were at that time.
1. I like the film so far, although I don’t know whether I would be as invested in following the day in day out, relatively disconnected stories had I not read the book beforehand. I think it’s a pretty good adaption of the novel and I love how they start the film off with an introduction of Maycomb from older Scout. The only thing I’m not a fan of (that might change as we continue to watch the film) is that the movie seems to be immediately setting up a much clearer cut villain (Bob Ewell) than the book does (especially so early on in the narrative). Also, the fact that Atticus would dismiss such a scary situation as Bob Ewell lurking outside the car windows and scaring Jem almost doesn’t seem real. Yes Atticus has a tendency to see the good in people in the book but seeing a drunk man scaring and pretty much threatening the safety of your kids is something I would have thought would warrant a bigger reaction.
ReplyDelete2. The scene that stood out to me was when Jem was on the Radley’s porch and a terrifying shadow moved towards him. This scene was memorable because it was very effective at conveying the terror that the children (specifically Jem) were feeling in the moment. This dark scene was made even more terrifying through the use of a large and sudden crescendo of the background music.
3. I’m definitely a fan of the decision to film this in black and white. The grayscale of the picture combined with the voiceover of older Scout really makes it feel like a memory or a tale from the past. It also helps to give the audience the feeling (thus far) of a “tired old town” that is quite bland. This feeling contrasts the much darkers scenes of fear like the one with Bob Ewell outside of the car.
I didn’t expect it to move so quickly at first. In the book, the city of Maycomb is well developed and everybody’s roles are assigned for a good chunk of the book. Then, after, the book moves into Tom’s case. It felt like the movie shifted to Tom’s case so quickly, but then, I realized that this is a movie and this does have to be fast-paced in a way.
ReplyDeleteI think that this movie also includes all of the important quotes that we talked about in class, including the one describing Maycomb about the sweet talcum. This movie is kind of a summary of all the highlights of the book, which is efficient, but I think it fails to capture the feel of the town of Maycomb.
Also, I think the child actors are so cute. However, I think it must’ve been hard for the director to direct so many kids. When there were scenes like the fights with Scout and Walter, or fights between Jem and Scout, it came off as a little awkward, but, I mean, you can’t really expect much acting skill from 6 year old kids.
There was one image in this film that stuck with me that actually wasn’t in the book. It was when Atticus traveled to Helen Robinson’s house and he went inside to go talk to her about the case. Meanwhile, Scout was sleeping in the front seat and Jem was sitting and waiting for his dad to be finished. There were two black kids on the porch, and one of them walked to Jem’s open window and was observing him with great curiosity. Jem noticed this and looked back at the black child in admiration, and you could see that there was a moment of acceptance shared between the two. When I saw this image, I smiled, and I think this image in particular stuck with me because I hope that other different people can share moments of acceptance with each other just like these two did.
I like the fact that the filmmakers chose to make this a black and white film. I think it really captures the feel of what the times were like, especially given the time that this book was set in. If this book were made in color, I think it would have been missing a quality that ties the story and the film together.
1, Based on solely what we have seen so far I am a fan of this movie. I think that the reason I like it so well is that I believe it is a relatively faithful adaptation of the books and the characters appear on screen as they did in my head. In particular, the characters of Atticus and Calpurnia are beautifully rendered here and I think that they do the roles great justice. The only moments where I found myself being taken out of the story were during certain choice moments where I felt as if the child actors playing Scout and occasionally Jem did not have the background or depth of acting ability to convey certain emotions, but I can't blame them for that.
ReplyDelete2, The scene that stuck with me the most from today's viewing had to be the dinner scene in which Walter Cunningham pours the syrup all over his food, it played out exactly how it did in the book and I loved the little asides between Atticus and Scout during the meal and the awkward pauses as the scene unfolds.
3, I really like the choice to make it in black and white. It makes the entire experience feel far more periodized and I like that it is not a hyper-modern adaptation and that the film came out within a relative time span of the actual events of the book. It makes the whole thing feel far more weighty and close to the events transpiring within the book, and I think that black and white only serves to further affirm that visually to the viewer.
So far I am really enjoying this film. I think the actress who plays Scout does a good job of conveying her as I pictured. From what we have seen so far, for the most part the film stays true to the novel. I also like that it is in black and white because it feels more like the 1930s than the 60s, when it was filmed. One thing that stood out to me what how little we got to know Dill in the first part. in the novel, I got a better sense of who his character was. They also cut out most of the school scenes with Ms. Caroline.
ReplyDeleteOne scene that stayed with me the most was the scene where Atticus shot the neighbor's dog. It was obvious that Atticus did not want to kill this dog, especially in front of his children. I liked how he fiddled with his glasses before shooting to try and delay, but when he finally did shoot him, I remember the look on Jem's face being very confused. It was interesting to see how after the shooting, Atticus and his children just carried on as if nothing had happened.
I partially answered in this in my first comment, but I do think the black and white adds a lot to the film. It makes perfect sense for this film and it brings a sort of unsettling tone to it that goes along with the plot. I like how the black and white shows contrast between day and night when the kids are running around when they are not supposed to. I don't thing the film would have the same affect if they had made it in color.
1. So far i’ve enjoyed it. As you said, it’s not a technically exuberant film, but it’s good enough to do do some justice to the novel. I don’t think anyone would care about this film had there not been the novel before it though. Mulligan did a good job with adding some film moments though, for instance the opening credits which features a lot of close ups of the childhood items. I don’t think it’s as clear that the film is from Scout’s perspective. There have been two random instances of narration (from what I remember), which sort of come out of no where.
ReplyDelete2. One moment that really stayed with me (and I’m not sure if this is in the book) is when Jem went up and touched Boo’s door and started running back yelling, “run for your life Scout!” This line immediately reminded me of how Tom will be running for his life from prison later on in the film/novel. It was definitely said for that reason and it made my hair stand up when it happened in the film.
3. I like it. Obviously the color scheme of black and white has certain connotations, and I don’t feel the need to point them out in here. I thought it was interesting how the film started with Scout drawing in, presumably, a colored crayon. This hints that there are other layers of reality that we, the audience, are not privy to. We can only see the colored crayon in black and while despite us knowing that it must be some other color. Just something to think about I guess…
So far I think the film closely resembles the book in a good way. While not a typical hero’s journey movie with immediate conflict and action, I do think the film is still very interesting, and the slower pace in which the movie sets up the main conflict is very similar to the book. I especially like the detail put into and dialogue of Scout, Jem, and Dill. Their characters seem very authentic.
ReplyDeleteTwo scenes primarily stayed with me. The first was the mad dog scene mostly because it actually creeped me out. Calpurnia's terror, the children’s obliviousness, and the way the dog growled and thrashed around made me feel like I could have been experiencing that scene. Adding to that, the way the scene was shot made it even more scary, particularly the still camera showing the slowly approaching dog.
The other scene that stayed with me was the part where Atticus went to visit Helen Robinson along with what Atticus told Jem in the scene after. For one, having Bob Ewell present made me fear for Helen Robinson and her children. Bob Ewell lives right near them, he’s a drunk, and he hates Helens husband. Also, both Helen’s sons and Atticus’ reaction toward Bob caught my attention. It seemed as though Helens son didn’t have a very overt reaction for Bobs presence. Either he’s too young to understand, which I doubt because he seems to be Jem’s age, and Jem was scared, or Bob Ewell stumbling drunk around the neighborhood is a common occurrence. This idea made me a little upset at the fact that such a young kid had to deal with this. Atticus seemed mostly like his usual cool self, if not for a brief moment of concern or fear in his eyes when he came out of Helen’s house. I also think that Atticus telling Jem afterward that there are hateful people in the world differed slightly from his character in the book as Atticus never told Jem explicitly that there were evil people. And if he did he always reminded Jem not to judge people because of their meanness.
For me, the black and white effect makes the characters, dialogue, and general picture seem older. It definitely helped emphasize the point that the action takes place in the early to mid 1900s. It goes well with the fact that Scout is telling a story about the past. It also adds to the mood of the film, especially the nighttime scenes. I think it works out well, no complaints here.
I think this movie does a good job of following what the book presented. It sticks closely with the plot for the most part and the characters give me the same reactions that the book characters did. Since I have already seen this movie, it is hard to see it in a new light, but reading the book so closely to watching the movie shows how the directors worked hard to mirror Harper Lee’s novel. I think one thing that takes away from the movie is the younger acting. Although I think Mary Badham does a good job of acting as Scout, the constant struggle with younger actors is making their character it seem authentic. Occasionally I felt as though her acting was stiff and scripted, but otherwise I think her personality was very good as Scout. The background music also adds some fun the the scenes which I like.
ReplyDeleteI think the scene that stayed with me the most was when we saw Atticus shoot the rabid dog. Atticus is always viewed as a saint-like character who would never hurt a living thing, but this scene presents him in a different light. The audience, as well as Jem and Scout, see that Atticus is not as different from the rest of the town, in fact he is the best shot in the Maycomb area. I think the way Jem and Scout looked at Atticus that stayed with me the most from this scene too. It was hard to tell if they were comfortable with their dad shooting a dog, but from their eyes it looked as though they were hoping Atticus would put the gun down instead of pulling the trigger.
I think the black and white makes a lot of sense. It is an older movie set in an older time period, therefore I think it is fitting to match the era. The town of Maycomb is run down and older, the the black and white adds to this feeling of a small southern town during the Depression. Also, since the movie starts with Scout telling the story in the past from the present, it has more of a story-book feel. With this, I think the imagery of black and white movie pairs well. Color would not add anything in my opinion, and it would probably end up being detrimental in the end. I think it would distract from the main plot line with extra fluff to the viewers.
I really like the movie so far. I have seen it before, but don’t remember too much about it. I LOVE the acting. Gregory Peck is amazing and the kids are exactly spot on, in my opinion. Dill is probably one of the most perfect actor that could have played that part. He’s just so incredibly dorky and strange. Personally, I think the movie does a good job of adapting the book. As a movie, I don’t think that it should be exactly like the book because 1. It’s a different platform with different rules and 2. It lets the director put his own spin on how he wants it to be portrayed. Good book to movie movies are always close to the plot yet not spot on.
ReplyDeleteThe scene that stuck with me the most was the dinner scene with the Cunningham boy. More specifically, when Atticus says his famous line about never killing a mocking bird. I like this because it was something that I very much remembered from the last time I watched it. It is an incredibly interesting quote and a powerful one also. Atticus is such an iconic character and so is that line. When he said it, I could almost say every word with him. I just really like that scene, and I really like Atticus (and Gregory Peck).
The choice to make it black makes sense for the context of the movie. It wasn’t set in the 60s, so why use the technology from the 60s? I think it made it look a lot older than it is. I also think that the black and white made Macomb feel more bleak and like a dead southern town. If it was in color, it might be harder to get that across.
I really like the film adaptation of the novel so far. I really like being able to see how the characters look in the play and the town in general compared to what I thought they were going to look like in my head while reading the novel. I think that the novel moved a lot slower in the beginning by setting up the story of Boo Radley and the whole character set, but the movie almost seemed to breeze by that and I think that that could be very confusing to someone who hasn't read the book. I really like the character portrayals and the selected actors and actresses because I feel that they fit the role well and do a good job of representing the same characteristics that they had in the novel.
ReplyDeleteOne scene that stuck with me from the movie so far is where Atticus shoots the mad dog in the street. For some reason I remember hearing Jem talk about wanting a gun a lot more in the movie than in the book, but it is very clear here how he gains a little respect for Atticus after he sees him shoot the dog with precision accuracy. I also thought the scene was played out almost exactly as I saw it in the book and I appreciated that about it. I was a little bit shocked that it actually showed the dog being hit by the bullet and it almost seemed like it was real (even though it wasnt -- right?).
I like the use of black and white for this film because it allows us to look and pay attention to shadows more than we usually do. I think the scene where Jem is on the porch of the Radley house is a perfect example of this when we see the shadow of the man and the hand. I also think this makes us pay attention to facial expressions more than usual and i think that the actors do a great job giving us emotions through their acting.
ReplyDeleteI do not think it is possible for there to be a seemless transition from a novel to a motion picture. However, I think that so far this film has done a very good job in keeping with both the actual events of the book and the flow and feel of the read. The characters match up very well to what I amagined them to be in my head, especially Scout. The movie does match up more to my faint memories of my first read of the book; the plot being highly centered around Boo Radley. I think this was an obvous decision made as it is more exciting for a movie for wide audiences.
As many people have said already, the rabid dog scene really stuck out to me. I thought it did a really good job portraying the the written scene and the actor did a good job showing the range of emotions that Atticus goes through in this moment. I thought one specefic detail that added a lot to the scene was when Atticus fumbles with his glasses before taking the shot. He puts them up on his nose and eventually takes them off out of frustration. I liked this moment because it portrayed an awkward, “dad” type of moment and then directal after he takes the perfect shot, killing the dog. It shows the duality of of Atticus’s character and past.
I think it was a good choice to make the film black and white as it adds to the overall feel of the film and sets up our story’s time frame. The black and white aslo gives Maycomb a certain quiet dullness that I think only black and white could portray.
I have seen the movie before, and I like it; however, it is not my favorite movie of all time. I think this is a really great adaptation of the novel, although it moves crazy quickly. The novel moves slowly, but the movie is 10 times faster. Also, Calpurnia is way different than I had imagined in the novel (much older and less stubborn.)
ReplyDeleteThe moment when Jem and Scout meet Dill has stayed with me. It shows how quickly they became friends and how strange and different he is made out to be. He is spying on them (they’re in the treehouse) out of a random patch of collard greens, and they quickly become friends. The filmmakers got Dill’s outfit perfectly parallel to that in the novel, which is impressive. This scene also makes me think of the extreme differences between social interactions then and now. In more modern times, there is more of a stigma around strangers and social interactions that is not present in this scene, as a stranger instantly becomes their best friend.
The black and white aspect of the film makes it seem very old-fashioned, which I think makes sense because the time period (the fact that this took place much earlier than modern-day times) makes the reader pay more attention to the many isms (sexism, racism, etc), how they contrast to today, and what this means regarding the film. It also makes the audience pay more attention to the actual content of the film rather than distracting details like colors, patterns, and designs. In addition, many of the beliefs of the characters in the film are very black-and-white. You are either white or black, a boy or a girl, respectable or trashy, etc. I am not a huge fan of black and white films, but I think it works for this film.
I watched the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird in 8th grade, but I do not remember much about it. I’m enjoying the film so far, and as we just finished reading the book, it's easy for me to pick out where the film differs from the book. There is little about Scout's experience at school in the movie, we never see Ms.Caroline. I like that we read the book first, rather than vice versa. I think the family dynamic was displayed well, but the parts with Dill didn't seem to fit too well.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the scenes from today’s viewing stayed with me, but especially the introduction. Maybe because it was when I was most alerts and attentive to the screen but the intro credits scene stuck with me. The camera panned over things you associate with childhood, like crayons. Then we see a kid drawing a bird, perhaps a mockingbird? Then the paper was torn, representing loss of innocence? I think this intro scene is all to set up Scout’s innocence at the beginning of the movie and I liked how that was done, clearly very purposeful.
I think the fact that the movie is in black and white helps to set the scene for the time that the trial and the story took place. Black and white would normally not be my preference but for this movie I think it's very fitting. The black and white makes it seem more real, something that actually (loosely) happened in the past, like a flashback. I wonder if Harper Lee liked it.
I love this movie so far. I’ve seen it before and I remember loving the movie in its entirety as well. This time, having read much deeper into the novel before watching it, it feels like I have a new eye for the message of the novel in the book. I think this is a great adaptation of the book. The characters all act in the way I imagined them acting. I agree with Kate in saying that the acting is great and keeps me on the edge of my seat. I think as well as the acting, the character visuals work very well. Scout especially matches the character I’d picture in my head.
ReplyDeleteThe scene that stayed with me most was when Jem, Scout, and Dill sneak into the Radley’s yard and Jem goes as far as to neil by the window in hopes of seeing Boo. The part that stuck out was the shadow of what we assume is Boo radley on the porch creeping onto the screen, Scout and Dill’s reactions of silence and fear, and Jem’s reaction to hide his face away in his arms. The reactions of the kids exemplify how young and curious they are about what scares them. Especially Dill with the way he hides his face like that would mean Boo couldn’t see him. I forgot about this scene until I saw it today, and I loved it because if you don’t know the story, it’s a very tension filled moment where they audience may think they’re gonna meet Boo, and maybe be harmed by him, but tension is broken and the first foreshadowing to Boo’s true character is shown when he doesn’t hurt the kids.
I like that the film is in black and white, but I’m not entirely sure why. I think it bring the old timey feel to the film really well, especially as it's shown to younger and younger people living further from the time that racial tensions were this high in society. For me it also feels like everything is happening in a calm state, kind of the way Atticus tries to live his life, very go with the flow, accepting, no worries.
The novel was definitely better because I think that because the movie needs to be shorter, they choose to leave out details, or mesh scenes together. I do think their choice to have the scene at the Robinson house with Bob Ewell coming up to the car was interesting because it shows him as a more aggressive character. I am a little disappointed that we didn’t get more school scenes in the classroom.
ReplyDelete2. The moment that stayed with me the most is definitely the scene where scout and Jem go to greet Atticus on his way home for the first time and they take Dill. At this point we don’t know a lot about him, but we see Atticus talking to Jem and Scout as they go back into the house and Dill isn’t even on the porch. The book really painted Dill as an outsider, and for me this scene shows that very well. Dill is different from Jem and Scout and his situation is different and it’s mirrored very well just in the position of this shot.
3. Honestly, I kind of forgot about the black and white. I like the way the movie look and I think it was a good choice but I’m not really sure why. It probably has a reason that I don’t understand but I think it looks good. I think because it is talking about a time even later than when the movie was made, the black and white makes sense, and to me gives it a kind of documentary feel.
I had never read the book but I had seen some clips of the film adaptation. Books in my opinion are almost always go deeper and more into detail but sometimes that a good and bad thing. I really like this movie so far, I do feel it went through the opening of the novel and event very fast. I would've liked a longer intro like the book because I felt it created a strong connections to the characters. The movie went to Atticus's case very early on in the film which shows the importance and power the case has on the book and film.
ReplyDeleteA scene that stood out to me was when Scout and Walter were fighting and jem intervenes. This scene stuck with me because of how strong the relationship between Jem and Scout is. In the book I remember Jem telling Scout to not talk to her at school on after or before. When Jem intervened and invited Walter to dinner was a scene that stuck with me and recognize the difference in wealth and the strong relationships they built in the small town of Maycomb.
I think the filmmakers made the right decision to put the movie in black and white. I say this because it helps show the time, racial differences, socio economic status. Black and white was very fitting to the movie and I think color wouldn't have as strong as an effect than black and white. When you read the description of Maycomb, it is exactly what I imagined dirt roads and everything very close. The black and white has an effect of old and timey on the town which is very fitting to the movie. I am excited to see how the rest of the movie plays out after a positive viewing today.
1. After now watching this movie for the second time around, I would still say I am a fan of the movie. The actors who play the characters are very similar to how I pictured them in the book. Jem was definitely portrayed well in this movie as well as many other characters. The thing that bothered me is the fact Atticus is the only one that doesn’t have a southern accent. I think is due to the fact the he is “the white savior” so he has to be better than everyone else. We have to distinguish him from the rest.
ReplyDelete2. The entire scene where Jem, Scout, and Dill go to the Ridley house at night. It very much reminded me of 50s horror such as Night of the Living Dead. It speaks to the idea of this being a horror film, not in the traditional sense. It is very much shot like a horror movie from the 50s, which is something I didn’t pick up the first time watching it.
3. I honestly like the black and white effect because it puts the themes of racism to the table. It juxtaposes the complexity of this book, that the themes aren’t as black and white as they seem. As we talked about in class, we beg the question “Is Atticus the person we make him out to be when first reading the book?” With the victim shaming and his contradictory values, he’s not as great as society makes him out to be, which brings forth the complexity of this novel. No issue in this book is black or white.
1. So far I have mixed reactions to the adaptation. On the one hand it’s great to see Maycomb come alive. While at first I was put off by the fact that the characters and the settings were different than how I’d imagined them, but everything feels so natural that I got over it pretty quickly. It really is Maycomb. What I don’t like, however, is that lack of Scout’s storytelling style that was so integral to the book. Harper Lee’s introduction to the story sets a particular tone by beginning with Jen’s broken arm. We’re set up like we’re in for a fun-tastic childhood adventure and our expectations are quickly subverted. That effect was missing here. Instead, the movie simply begins by describing Maycomb. It’s not as clever or as “Scout” as I would have liked.
ReplyDelete2. The scene where Scout is up against the Radley’s house stuck with me. It’s shot and scored just like a Horror film, and I found that an interesting choice. The book certainly wasn’t a children’s book to me, but scenes like this, where the film dips just slightly into a different genre to excite the viewer, almost make me feel like this movie’s target audience was younger. Having just seen Jordan Peele’s Us, I was pretty satisfied with the vibe of that particular moment. No complaints from me.
3. I think setting the film in black and white helps evoke the vibe of the 1930s. For me, there’s a period of history that’s painted in black and white: from roughly the 1840s with the introduction of daguerreotypes to the 1940s right before color photography. Before then, paintings were in color, and afterwards, photos were in color. This old-american time period, though, is colorless, bleak, and a bit scary. I like that the film is in black and white because it helps me relate to the characters living in that time period (even though black and white usually has the opposite effect of making it harder for me to relate.)
I was surprised that I enjoyed the first part of To Kill a Mockingbird, as I disliked the movie when I saw it in 8th grade. The movie seems to convey strong emotions more effectively than Harper Lee’s writing, especially through music, and I feel like I was able to better understand the weight of certain topics or interactions. With this in mind, I the film has not fully captured the depth of Lee’s writing, particularly with the characters. For example, almost all of Scout’s thoughts and ideas are excluded from the movie, which make up almost the entire book. Instead, the audience is left with 10 year old Mary Badham’s attempt at compacting pages of thought into 3 seconds of exaggerated facial expressions. Similarly, at times when Lee presents Atticus as a thoughtful, silently strong character, he seems dull and flat on screen.
ReplyDeleteThe moment that resonated with me most was when Jem is hiding on the Radley porch trying to peek into the family’s house. A deep sense of dread and apprehension was conveyed very effectively through the music and dramatic dark and light visuals, and I felt very tense watching it. When the first loud bang occurred just after the man’s shadow left, I jumped in my seat, which is something that rarely happens to me during movies. Another moment like this was when Atticus shot at the rabid dog and only a few seconds of silence seemed to stretch into hours. I liked that the low rumble of Heck Tate’s car remained throughout the whole scene, and was the only thing you could hear as everyone stood in shock of Atticus’ unknown skill. The buildup to the shoot had a similar tension as the porch scene in that the whole audience knew that something was coming, but was not sure what it would be. I liked the details like having Atticus fumble with his glasses and the cuts to different character’s reactions as the dog dragged nearer. The moment that Atticus fired the gun was like a breath of relief, and such an impactful change in mood; one of angst to shock.
The choice of making To Kill a Mockingbird be a black and white film adds to the tone of the story. Maycomb, recovering from the depression, is not a vibrant town, which is supported by the colorless film; a colorless movie about a colorless town. One of the main themes of the book is good and evil, which have historically, and often currently been presented in blacks and whites, which are also more effectively presented in the film. The colorlessness strips the story of superficial visuals and only presents raw darks and lights that affect the mood or tone of scenes.
1. I like the movie so far. I really like Gregory Peck. I think his demeanor fits the character of Atticus well. I also like how closely the movie follows the book and the similarities between the two.
ReplyDelete2. The scene with Bob Ewell and Atticus stuck with me. Actually seeing Bob Ewell on screen made the character more alive and real in an unpleasant way. The way Atticus wooild dodge his question reminded me of Atticus in the book as well.
3. I like the decision to film in black and white. I think it gives the movie a more authentic vibe. It’s trying to portray a sleepy, old southern town. I think filming in black and white fits the effort of preserving an older time quite nicely.
1. have seen this movie before but it was a while ago so I don't remember a large amount of the details. So far, I am really enjoying the movie. I think it is a good combination of serious material while also being funny and playful. I really love all fo the actors that play the kids because I think their acting really sells this as a kids story. They all really match their personalities in the novel.
ReplyDelete2. The scene I liked the most was when the kids went downtown and a man told them that their father is in the courtroom. When Dill is being carried up to be able to see inside and telling any detail he can about what he sees, I think it really reveals how little the children understands about what is going on in the town and their fathers role in all of it.
3. I think the black and white choice makes complete sense. Taking away the distraction of color allows the viewer to really focus on the details of the scenes. I also think it overall just gives the story a old and authentic feel that I think is perfect for the town of Macomb and the setting of this story.
I really enjoy this movie. I think it works very well as an adaptation. The girl who plays Scout does a wonderful job, and in the movie I get a better picture of their innocence then I do in the book. I think that Gregory Peck is also great at portraying the kind, playful, and morally stringent god like Atticus. The movie also does a great job of portraying Macomb as a tight nit town where everyone knows everyone, and on the surface it is an idyllic place to live. The movie also shows us a tense encounter between Bob Ewell and Atticus and Scouts early conversation with Mr. Cunningham, which represents the underlying tension of the town. I am very excited to see the trial.
ReplyDeleteOne scene that really stayed with me was the scene where Jem runs to get his pants. In the movie we really understand just how close Jem gets to being shot, and the fear this causes scout to have. Understanding how close Jem was to death and the look of fear on Scouts face is making me reconsider whether this was a normal childhood risk or if their lives were more dangerous than it seemed.
The Black and White really transports us into the time period. It reminds us just how old these people really are. I also think it serves to highlight one of the major themes, which is digging below the literal and figurative black and white nature of the town. On the surface the town seems very black and white. There are the poor and the really poor. The town gossip and the town creep. The really really poor black people, and Atticus. However, through Lee’s experiences, we see all facets of this town grow more complex. I really like the choice to use black and white.
So far, the film seems to follow the book rather closely. It’s plot is very similar, and only little additions are tweaked here or there. Now, the chronological sequence of events is different. In order to immerse the audience in the setting, a lot of “Maycomb experience” moments are thrown one after the other. The pace is a lot faster than in its book counterpart, but I understand this is naturally considering the movie format. The opening introduction was perfect, with a calm and nostalgic atmosphere. Overall, the first fifty minutes covered the right moments and scene, conveying Harper Lee’s story very well.
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Jem and Scout go with Atticus to Mrs. Robinson’s house stayed with me for two reasons. The first was this really powerful moment between Jem and the Robinson boy. While Scout was sleeping, they just stare at each other and wave, exchanging no words, no hostility, no conflict, just pure curiosity. Were they going to talk? Have a friendly moment? We will never know, because Mr. Ewell barges into the quaint scene. It’s reslly interesting how savage he is portrayed in the movie, as shown when he simply slides and scoots around Mr. Finch’s car, making twisted grunts and hideous grimaces. I think the film director really made clear how deplorable of a man he was, and adding him in earlier scenes before the trial assisted in that.
Making the film Black and White gives the movie a sort of antiquity it would not have if in color. The lack of color combines soundly with the sleepy, calm, yet old-fashioned Maycomb the audience is presented with. Along with the dynamic soundtrack, many times I have felt nostalgia watching the film.
So far I am really enjoying this movie. There is so much that comes straight from the book unlike a lot of movies and tv shows today adapted from books. There were so many lines that I could remember were directly out of the novel and it really added to the experience for me. All of the acting so far has been really incredible, especially Gregory Peck who is famous for this role. I really love how the movie is staying true to the book and isn't changing things for the purpose of reaching a wider audience or making more money. Watching the first part of this movie has felt just like reading the book and I really love how this movie was made.
ReplyDeleteThe scene that really stuck with me was when Atticus shot the rabid dog. This scene was so true to the book and felt so real that it was as if I was there watching it unfold. When Atticus fired the shot, I literally jumped because I was so into the movie and it was also a very loud shot. This was such a cool scene to watch Gregory Peck in and I think so far his performance has been outstanding.
I think the black and white was a great decision on the part of the filmmakers. It really made me feel as though we were in the 1930s, and this is important because life back then was very different compared to life as we know it today. Watching a film in black and white puts me in a different mindset; I am watching something set in a time in which my views and beliefs may have been quite different from those of the time. I think it helps give a better understanding of the time and the setting and ultimately enhances the experience of watching the movie.
1. Your reaction to the what you've seen? And how successfully is this—for you—an adaptation of the novel? What works? What doesn't?
ReplyDeleteI would say that most of the setting up of Boo Radley and his house really worked well and stayed true to the book. I would say this includes the way the townsfolk’s attitude is shown, as well as
2. What scene or image or moment stayed with you—and why?
The moment at the very end of our viewing with a drunken Mr. Ewell. I would say this since it’s scary, both visually and aurally. It also doesn’t happen in the book, which I would say makes the scene stand out more. Furthermore, we get to see Tom’s household and his family, so we truly know what’s at stake for him, and builds suspense (even though we already know what will happen).
3. The filmmakers made a deliberate decision to film this in black and white. What's the effect of that for you? Do you like it? Dislike it? Does it make sense? I like it. I really don’t mind black and white films and it fits the old-school depression era setting. I would also say it can take away some of the grime that could have existed on Mr Ewell, and perhaps takes away from the class conciseness of the story. However, in the decision to make it black and white perhaps highlights the common humanity within all the characters, as we can’t contrast the beautiful yard and house of the Finches to anywhere else, and we are forced to use our imagination.
1. So far, I am enjoying the movie. It seems to keep the same sense of childhood innocence with the main characters (Jem, Scout, and Dill). This was most evident for me in the opening sequence of the movie. In it, a child (most likely Scout) is seen using crayons to color birds on a blank page. This continues until the words “To Kill a Mockingbird” are revealed. I also appreciate that the film adaptation is adding a little more context to the main idea of the story; to clarify, the book opened only with 5 chapters of Jem, Scout, and Dill behaving like typical children. However, the film had already introduced Bob Ewell, Tom Robinson’s situation, and the setup for the trial scene in the same time. Moreover, Maycomb looked exactly as I suspected it to in the book; this allowed me to connect with the setting a little more.
ReplyDelete2. The scene that stayed with me the most came from Judge Taylor asking Atticus to defend Tom Robinson on trial. This was a great visual representation of a scene that was not completely described in the book. What made is so heartbreaking was Atticus’ reaction to the news; there seemed to be a sense of hesitation in his answer. To me, this signified Atticus’s understanding of the fact that Tom Robinson would lose no matter who defended him. It made me connect to Atticus even more than I already had; as of now, the movie has depicted him as he is constantly described as: a kind man who understands how wrong Injustice is.
3. I do think that the black and white aesthetic is, for the most part, a sign of the time that the movie was made in. However, I think that the lack of color contributes to the nostalgia of the story. The plot itself is being narrated over time by an adult Scout; this alone sets an expectation for the audience to be ready for a story that happened years ago. In this way, the black-and-white color makes a lot of sense.
So far I am enjoying the film a great deal. I remember bits and pieces of it from when I watched it with my grandparents as a kid and those specific images have really stuck with me all these years. A few things I recognized from when I was a kid were scenes such as when Scout and Dill were spitting on the door hinge to make it not creak, when the kids were caught by Atticus at the court house and the mad dog scene. Even ten years later I still find these scenes just as riveting. I think the portrayal of the children is spot on, and even though I had seen the film before reading the book the movie still lives up to my expectations for it. One thing that surprised me was the portrayal of Bob Ewell. This actor seems to play him as a more sophisticated version of him that I expected. I imagined Bob as a doughy, stupid drunk. I saw this version of him as a lot more sly and smart, even if that may not be the case about the character. A scene that really stuck with me was when Walter Cunningham was embarrassed about putting syrup on his dinner. The actor played it so well! I had an idea of the embarrassment that Scout caused him in the book, but once it was put to screen you could really see how ashamed Walter looked when he put his hands over his eyes. I could really see myself in that situation and imagine what he was feeling. This scene seems to tie in to the many race, class and gender topics within this film and this portrayal is done beautifully. I personally enjoy the black and white, and I think the look of the film really plays into the atmosphere and nostalgia of the movie. It takes us to the scene of the court room and brings us completely into the 1950s.
ReplyDeleteI think this is to be expected, but I like to book so much more than the movie. I feel like the film smooths over a lot of the emotional depth and background that is produced in the first act of the book. The worst part about the movie is that they skip straight to Tom Robinson's case instead of giving the viewer time to get to know the characters. My favorite part of the movie is the scenery. The houses, cars, and clothing really set the tone of the 1930s in the Deep South. To address the acting, it seems a little cheesy and over the top for me. Because we see the characters thought processes in the book, it makes for more compelling decisions and emotional depth. The film actors just seem to be reacting to nothing.
ReplyDeleteOne moment that I strongly remember is when Atticus is putting Scout to bed. Their conversation about family heirlooms is really touching and shows how emotionally connected the Finches are. Also, I think it’s funny that Atticus says he has nothing to give Scout but pearls and her mother's ring, but he’s willing to give Jem the pocket watch without question. Everybody, even Atticus, assumes that Scout would want that type of "girly" stuff when she is the epitome of a tomboy.
I think that the black and white effect makes the movie feel more realistic. After reading the book and taking in its mood, it would have been weird for the film to be in color. I’m glad the directors made that decision because it really completes the film.