To Kill a Mockingbird

based on the award-winning novel of the same name, To Kill a Mockingbird is simply a tour-de-force combining deft dialogue with subtle and sure performances from the entire cast.

the story carries two simultaneous story lines:

• life in a small southern town for a six-year-old tomboy named Scout, her older brother Jem, and a visiting acquaintance nicknamed "Dill";
• the trial of Tom Robinson, a young black man accused of the rape of a white woman. Tom is defended by Atticus Finch, the father of Scout and Jem.

what better way to spend a snowy winter afternoon than to be reminded of the best of human nature in the seemingly-eternal effort to defeat the worst.

i have to admit being surprised by the number of actors who were, or were on their way to, becoming household names: gregory peck, robert duvall, paul fix, alice ghostley, william windom, and brock peters as Tom.

odd trivia:

• the author, harper lee, was a longtime friend of truman capote.
• so far, To Kill a Mockingbird is her only published novel
  
• it was a pulitzer prize winner that was later made into a movie, which itself was nominated for eight oscars, winning three...

the infallible 0-10 opinion scale:

• 9.0 for acting
• 8.5 for writing
• 9.0 for cinematography
• must watch == TRUE
• must own == SHOULD
  

final note: for all of the idiots who believe the book should be banned from schools for its language (as has been "huck finn", etc), with requisite context it is my considered opinion it should be required reading by age 15, required viewing by age 12...