To Kill a Mockingbird

After Walt Disney finished watching To Kill a Mockingbird, he sadly lamented, “That was one hell of a picture. That’s the kind of film I wish I could make.” If that does not convince you of the excellence of this film, I do not know what will. Based on the world-famous book of the same name, To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of Atticus Finch and his daughter Scout as they deal with a controversial court case where they face violence and bigotry. Both film and novel are iconic for their depictions of disparities and racism in the criminal justice system. The film was beloved as a landmark in tone and subject and Gregory Peck’s performance has made Atticus Finch go down as one of the all-time great movie heroes.

Production

Directed by Robert Mulligan

Produced by Alan J. Pakula

Screenplay by Horton Foote

Based on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Starring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Ruth White, Paul Fix, Brock Peters, Frank Overton

Music by Elmer Bernstein

Cinematography by Russell Harlan, A.S.C.

Edited by Aaron Stell, A.C.E.

Production companies: Brentwood Productions, Pakula-Mulligan

Distribution & Stats

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date: December 25, 1962

Running time: 129 minutes

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $2 million

Box office: $13.1 million