To Kill A Mockingbird Book Vs Movie

To Kill A Mockingbird is a heart-warming tale that now to this date is known as one of the greatest novels ever written. This particular film adaptation was such a preliminary story to be told. The film was written by Harper Lee and directed by Robert Mulligan, then later released on December 25, 1962. The film adaptation stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch and Mary Badham, as the main protagonist, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch along with Phillip Alford as her brother Jem Finch. The story revolves around the two young protagonists Scout and Jem Finch, the children of Atticus Finch, who get up to mischief whilst their father defends a coloured man, Tom Robinson, for wrongly being accused for rape of Mayella Ewell. To Kill a Mockingbird is such

He did the novel justice by setting the tone for the film which was at first nostalgic and innocent which then progressed into increasingly dark, foreboding and critical of society. The exact shot framed by a cinematographer can communicate many things to an audience. The framing of a particular shot can portray power or weakness, for example when the camera shoots on a lower angle upwards, it reinforces the sense that the character is dominant, imposing or powerful. Where as when the camera shoots on a higher angle upwards the character seems small, vulnerable and less significant. This comes into contrast with the court scene where Atticus is questioning Miss Mayella Ewell. When the camera is focused on Miss Mayella, it is shot from a higher angle where as Atticus is again shot from a lower angle reinforcing the sense that Mayella is vulnerable and intimidated. In particular to the specific scene, it also gives the audience the idea that Mayella is lying about Tom Robinson raping her. Close ups portray intimacy, for example when Atticus is sitting on the porch with either Jem or Scout. Where as a wide and establishing shot portrays context and public distance, as can be seen in the court scene. Lighting

The filmmakers are extremely effective in positioning audiences to feel sympathy towards Tom Robinson and the Finch family after the backlash they receive, from Bob Ewell in particular, when Atticus agrees to defend Robinson in court. The film also positions audiences to then translate the particular context of the storyline into society today. When To Kill a Mockingbird was first released in 1962, it was so controversial for its different perspective on society, depicting a “coloured” man as being the victim. Therefore it had a much deeper meaning for society as it was so real to the times in which racial discrimination and injustice was a very serious issue. The filmmakers especially position audiences to sympathise towards Tom Robinson as in the court scene Atticus is shown to have substantial evidence pointing towards Robinson being innocent. This was a great impact and shock to audiences of the times, as they weren’t used to feeling sympathy towards a “coloured” man. This significant theme of racism also translates into today’s context, as we are still dealing with racism, therefore this particular story is so diverse. Another key factor in having an impact on audiences is the quality of the actor’s