To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Movie Reaction [First Time Watching!] 

I don't think there has ever been a more perfectly matched actor to a role as Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. The greatest character in any American film.

In the novel, you learn that the father of Mayella has been molesting her. It is only one line in the book, but it lets you know how the father treated her. It is one of my favorite books. The movie is good, but the book is better.

Robert Duvall's very first role, and he is brilliant! He doesn't say a word, yet he conveys an entire soliloquy with his face, his eyes and his body. An absolute masterful performance!

Atticus Finch is one of the greatest American literary characters ever...and Gregory Peck nailed this performance

Tom Robinson, the man falsely accused in the film was played by actor and singer Brock Peters. He had a long stage and screen career but many Star Trek fans will recognize him as Admiral Cartwright from Star Trek IV and VI, and as Ben Sisko's father in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also has a Star Wars connection, He voiced Darth Vader in the radio adaptations of the original trilogy.

It's nice that you recognized Robert Duvall from his role as Tom Hagen in The Godfather movies. He's one of the best actors of his generation, whose other movies include Bullitt, True Grit (the original 1969 version with John Wayne), MASH, The Conversation, Network, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, Tender Mercies, The Natural, Sling Blade, The Apostle, Thank You for Smoking, and Crazy Heart. He's 91 years old now, and is still working as an actor.

One of the best movies of all time. And if you ever have the chance to read the book, please don't pass it by. It really does draw you in and doesn't let you go.

The book is wonderful if you get a chance to read it. Mayella wasn’t in love with Tom, exactly- given she was prepared to let him be sentenced and executed. She was profoundly _lonely._ The book explains this a bit more clearly: her family lives impoverished in the town dump; nobody wanted to have anything much to do with them. Tom was probably the first person who ever treated her with any decency. -- And yes, the book definitely hints at the possibility that her father may have done more than just beat her when he's "riled". Yes, Boo Radley is a "mockingbird"-- and so is Tom Robinson.

The novel was written by Harper Lee. A lot of people understand that Scout is somewhat based on Lee herself; and Dill is somewhat based on her friend, author Truman Capote. The disagreement of opinion comes in how close the resemblance is.

Thank you for reacting to this amazing, classic film adaptation. Not enough reaction channels take the time to go back and watch the best of the old, black and white masterpieces. ✌💯😎

Now THIS! THIS is a classic movie (and an all-time great novel as well!) Several years ago The American Film Institute put together a list of the 100 greatest movie heroes and villains. Guess who was the NUMBER ONE movie hero of all time? Atticus Finch! Racism seen through the eyes of a child...So powerful...My favorite line in the movie is "Miss Jean-Louise? Stand up! Your father's passing."

Years ago, AFI did a poll asking movie-goers "who was the greatest hero in movie history?"...........I"m glad to say that Atticus Finch was No. 1..............to me, he always will be. Thanks for the reaction.

I read this book for my 9th grade English Honors class. It broke me heart to realize that this was our society less than 80 years ago

This movie/book is very representative of the other movies/books that the stubbornly regressive assholes are wanting to ban/burn from our educational system here. I'm 70 years old. This was REQUIRED reading for me in middle school. This very movie was also shown during classes. We also watched '12 Angry Men' in school too. Evidently a lot of people in my generation skipped a few assignments or were too bull headed to learn what they were being taught.

The kids were actual nonprofessionals from Alabama ( I think the boy did have a short acting career after the film). I think they did a great job. I heard The girl who played Scout in a interview say how wonderful Gregory Peck was to the kids.

A lot of types of brain injury & autism were basically treated like a curse back in the day. It wasn't uncommon for them to spend their lives locked away or be treated badly, especially common for people who saw them as a burden or shame.

“To Kill A Mockingbird” is easily one of my favorite movies of all times…and I’ve maybe watched it 35x over the years. There is just something about the quiet dignity, honor and decency of Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) always moves me. And yes this was Robert Duvall’s first movie role 🧡

I still have chills when I see Scout calming down everyone. I also had the privilege of meeting Harper Lee. She was a wonderful human and just wanted anyone to write what they wanted and advocated for subjugated people

So glad you are diving into classic movies as part of your reaction channel. To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic book and movie. Its open and frank look at racism in America made (and still makes) many uncomfortable. Atticus Finch is one of my favorite characters in American literature and film. Gregory Peck as Atticus gave an immortal performance and became one of the most beloved actors in American film. A great role model for people.

I used to work for NBC Universal. I was there when the 2 companies merged, and to celebrate it, the company gave each employee a DVD gift set of a few classic episodes of Saturday Night Live (which airs on NBC) and a few movies from Universal, with To Kill a Mockingbird being one of them. This is definitely a classic. You picked a great film here, guys.

In case nobody noticed, Boo Radley was played by Robert Duvall. This is the earliest movie I can remember him in. This is one of the finest films ever made. I think my favorite Robert Duvall film has got to be Secondhand Lions.

CLASSIC Film. Boo Radley - Robert Duvall’s first role. Soundtrack was inspired.

As a black man thanks for this reaction

Another really good film is The Defiant Ones (1958), starring Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, about two escaped prisoners on the run, who are chained together. It was nominated for 8 Oscars and won 2.

To Kill A Mockingbird is still my favorite book. Gregory Peck did a great job playing Atticus in this movie.

Atticus Finch has inspired many generations of good hearted Lawyers and Law Attorneys, he more then a good man.💗

Excellent choice for a review. I was lucky enough, way back in high school, to have a class where we would read a book and then watch the movie. This was one of those we got to watch and almost 50 years later still one of my favorites to go back and visit.

This movie is as timely as ever. Sadly this type of injustice still happens 😢

My cousin was a friend of Harper Lee at the University of Alabama. ("Nell" Harper Lee). Nell based the character, "Scout" on her tomboyish self as a child, and her friend visiting from out if town on her childhood friend author, Truman Capote. Unfortunately, the novel was so successful, that Truman got too jealous, and it caused friction between the two old friends, but, if I recall, it was Truman, who used some of his connections to get Nell's manuscript submitted to a publisher, when Nell was struggling as a bank teller, so he only had himself to blame!

The "Hey Mr. Cunningham" scene is golden. Always brings tears to my eyes.

This is a classic movie. One of my favorites of all time. The acting, the story, the kids, all wonderfully portrayed. Loved Gregory Peck and the kids. And yes, that’s Robert Duvall playing Boo Radley. Loved everything about it. Good reaction!

Gregory Peck won at the Oscars for best actor in this movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”

To kill a Mockingbird is my favorite movie of all time. Gregory Peck is perfect as Atticus Finch. I've seen it st least 60 times. Have it on DVD. Great choice.

Times have changed since this was written some things are better, some are just the same but there is a message in here that still has meaning for us today, that's why it's still a classic. I'm 63 first saw it when I was a kid back in the 60s, read the book years later. Hopefully one day the things that are wrong in our world will be put right, but in the meantime we have a great piece of American culture that endures. I'm glad I watched it back then and glad it's still around now

Truly one of the great American novels, and a hell of a movie. In these times both should be required in school.

The way Jem is affected by the outcome of the trial is very poignant , he saw his father prove Tom Robinson's innocence and to have the jury find him guilty, It changes his whole worldview. Now after "To Kill a Mocking Bird " another must see classic movie about southern justice is " In The Heat of the Night " Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier both give stellar performances .

@30:07 _Did you notice who he was, Boo Radley?From The Godfather, he was the lawyer._ Falcon eye man!! :D Yes Boo Radley was the first movie role of Robert Duvall. 19 years later he was nominated for an Oscar for the role of the Corleone family consiglieri Tom Hagen in The Godfather. He also played Lt. Col Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now in 1979.

9:23 People used to think that you should fill a rotting knot on a tree (usually where a branch fell off or was removed) with cement to keep the tree from rotting out. It was meant to save the tree. It really didn't help. It was just one of those things people assumed.

This story was semi-autobiographical, by the girl who was Scout. Her friend Dill in the story was Truman Capote in real life. Truman Capote said that the character of Boo was based on a man who had PTSD from fighting in a war.

One of the most beautiful American films ever made. A reminder of an ugly past and the awakening of children to it, but also a testament to an anguishing national struggle for racial justice.

Gregory Peck won a well deserved Oscar for this film, but I think this is one of those cases where it should have been a tie between him and the other actor who deserved to win- Peter O’ Toole for Lawrence of Arabia,

The most beautiful reveal. Boo Radley. It makes me tear up. Every time.

One of the greatest movies of all-time. Perfect in every way. One of the best film scores ever (Elmer Bernstein), and the book is just as unforgettable.

My favourite Literature book in high school in Jamaica. My fav actor, Gregory Peck. One of my fav movies.

Gregory Peck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role, in arguably one of the strongest years in film history. Also nominated were Peter O'Toole for Lawrence of Arabia, Jack Lemmon in arguably his finest role in Days of Wine and Roses, and the iconic Burt Lancaster. In the AFI Film Institute's List, Atticus Finch was named the greatest film hero of all time.

Dill is based on Truman Capote as a child. He and Harper Lee, the author To Kill a Mockingbird, grew up together.

A fantastic movie. Gregory Peck is such a good actor. The book is equally as good.

Speaking of Robert Duvall, he had a dream project he produced and starred in called "The Apostle" that is a magnificent character study of a Pentecostal preacher. Ironically, Billy Bob Thornton appeared in it in a supporting roll. And Thornton also produced and starred in his dream project called "Sling Blade, a magnificent character study of a mentally challenged man who had killed his mother in his youth. Robert Duvall appeared in that one in a supporting roll. Both films are masterpieces and well worth watching.

Harper Lee wrote the book from her childhood. Dill was based on Truman Capote, who she knew way back then!

26:49 He's been locked up for so long he doesn't want to go outside anymore. What I really liked in the book was when Scout was talking after the trial about how her imaging seeing Boo had changed by then. It'd gone from seeing him as a horror figure that they try to sneak a peak in at night to her imagining that she'll walk down the street, see him sitting outside the house, and saying 'evening' to him as if she had been doing so for years. And that was before he saved her and Scout.

Boo Radley's father was performing a rather crude method of stopping tree rot by plastering over the hole. It is supposed to be just random chance he came out to do that just as the kids were there. If you notice, his expression is just as surprised to see them as they are to see him.

You're right. Boo Radley was played by Robert Duvall, who years later played the lawyer Tom Hagen in The Godfather. TKaM was his first movie.

The directing and acting in this movie is phenomenal...the music score is one of the best of all time.

Very good review. One of the absolute greatest movies of all time. My father left when I was two years old and Gregory Peck’s character was one of the examples that helped me become a man.

Simply one of the best books AND best movies ever. It's just that.

Wow, that was a sharp observation that you recognized Robert Duvall from The Godfather. Playing Boo Radley in this film was his first film role. He is one of the all-time great American actors. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in another great film worth checking out, Tender Mercies.

One of the most beautiful films ever made. Enjoyed your reaction.

The best child actors ever…brilliant performances, a true classic.

The score is one the highlights of this film. It starts with “child-like wonder” and then into children playing and getting into mischief. But then the same melodies swell into the full orchestra for the adults, ever reminding us that no matter how old we get, there is still a child in all of us. And yes, it was Robert Duval’s film debut. His first movie, ever.

Harper Lee, who wrote the novel, was friends with Truman Capote as a child. He is the model for the character of Dill. Lee also was his research assistant and did copious notes when he was laying the groundwork to write "In True Blood." In True Blood was made into a movie, and there are two movies that deal with the research of it--"Infamous" and "Capote."

This was filmed on the backlot of Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA, USA. But it was portraying the deep south of the USA. Gregory Peck won the Oscar for his performance as Atticus Finch. Bruce Willis named one of daughters "Scout" in honor of this film. The guy who played Tom Robinson was in several other movies (even some of the Star Trek movies).

This is an introduction to US southern culture. Black men of any age were called 'boy'. The separation of races was complete, from separate water fountains, separate restaurants, separate movie theater showings, separate entrances to train stations, etc. Blacks couldn't use the same bathrooms as whites, couldn't show white folks disrespect, had to leave seats in the front half of the bus for whites only (even if all back seats were taken and white seats were empty, blacks had to stand). If a black man even kissed a white woman, his life was forfeit; if the law didn't hang him, vigilantes would. If a white woman accused a black man of anything, she was believed whether proof existed or not. If a white man raped a black woman, there was nothing she could do; if she tried to bring charges, she or a family member may end up dead or their home burned to the ground. Blacks were always expected to show respect for white folks, a respect borne of fear. 300 years of slavery and the killing of any who resisted had created this culture. Unfortunately, too many in the US are attempting to bring this culture back and set it up in every part of the country. Racism makes a tension in this story that clearly defines the nobility of the Atticus Finch character. I was born in Virginia, where interracial marriage was illegal until 1967. Virginia listed on your birth certificate whether you were white or not; just those two designations: 'white' or 'colored'. I didn't know it, but I have significant American Indian ancestry; if it had been know, I would have been listed as 'colored'. Such a designation determined where you could live, the place/quality/length of education you could receive (schools were also segregated), what jobs were available to you, whether you could go into a restaurant or hotel (segregated), and who you could date. Among other diminishments of life. Heaven help you if you needed medical help and there was only a white hospital nearby. I was spared this. I have always been for social equality, but finding this out in my later years just further compels me to seek justice and a level playing field for all individuals.

The greatest book and movie ever made. IMO

At last a reaction to To Kill a Mockingbird! Thanks so much. The scene where all the Blacks in the gallery stand in respect to Atticus along with Scout and Jem is one of the great scenes in movie history, and is what Gregory Peck said won him his Oscar. I'd recommend "On the Waterfront" as another classic with one of the great scenes in movie history with Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger.

A great a beautiful movie, unbelievable acting. And an incredible musical score by Bernstein.

This wonderful movie really follows the book faithfully. Add the great performances, and it's a classic, for good reason. I can't imagine anyone else but Gregory Peck as Atticus, and the child actors were fantastic. Yes, this is one of the earlier performances by Robert Duvall, who was the lawyer in "The Godfather". With no dialog, his acting is also top-notch!

I have watched this movie many times and also read the book in high school many times afterward and never get tired of it. I would have to say it is one of the best movies ever made. If I am not mistaken the person that wrote this passed away I think in the last year or so.

Amazing film. Definitely a well deserved classic. Was Superman’s favorite movie as well. No bullshit.

Mayella's father was abusive and beat her a lot. She was afraid of him. Clearly he beat her up that day and that was the real reason they didn't call a doctor.

Gregory Peck is a highly revered actor and appeared in all kinds of movies. Gentleman's Agreement 1947, Roman Holiday 1953, Cape Fear 1961, The Omen 1976, The Boys From Brazil 1978 are all worth checking out.

An American classic. Excellent adaptation of an important book with an outstanding Oscar-winning turn by Peck as Atticus Finch (his fave film of his as well). Great reactions. And yes Boo is Robert Duvall in his film debut.

This book was required reading In high school , still touching . Still relevant in some ways.

Back then holes in a tree were filled with mortar to prevent rain water from getting in the tree where it would pool causing further rot. An attempt to prolong the trees life.

"Why did he put cement in the tree hole?" This was a very common preventative measure to try to keep the tree healthy. It was thought that you needed to keep water and organic matter from gathering in the hole. I have recently read that it is not actually effective and makes the hole even better for fungus and rot to advance. Still that is why it was done, though in both the movie and the book, there is some hint that the elder Mr. Radley did it to keep Boo from wanting to keep going out to it.

The Grapes Of Wrath (1940) Film adapted from the book: True representation of 1930's America during the Great Depression, and how whole families were uprooted from their homes because of the dust bowl and had to travel cross country in the search of work just to survive. Steinbeck scholar John Timmerman sums up the book's influence: "The Grapes of Wrath may well be the most thoroughly discussed novel - in criticism, reviews, and college classrooms - of 20th century American literature."[12] The Grapes of Wrath is referred to as a Great American Novel.[16]

Loved your reaction. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of those books that you tend to be forced to read as a young teen in school. That's what happened with me in first year of secondary school. It is however a great book and movie. I particulary liked the bedroom scene with Scout "How old was I when momma died? Did I love her?" On a minor note of interest, the "raped" girl's father's name is "Robert E. Lee Ewell". Robert E. Lee was the name of the most famous Confederate general during the American Civil War and "Ewell" might be a reference to "Richard Ewell" who was another prominent Confederate general. You might like to react (*hint hint*) to "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" another fabulous book and movie. Going by your reaction to this movie, I think you'd like it. You might also like "Hope and Glory" a World War 2 childhood movie directed by John Boorman. I don't think there's a reaction on RU-vid to either.

I’ve been watching RU-vid video react to movies for years and I’ve been looking forever for To Kill a Mockingbird movie reactions and I finally found it! this has always been one of my favorite movies of all time and it’s a shame there aren’t more movie reactions to this masterpiece

If I remember correctly, the reason Mr. Radley (Arthur "Boo" Radley's father) put cement in the knothole of the tree is because it is a way to save the tree from disease.

I don't know if you caught it, because it's a very American reference, but Mr. Ewell's full name (the abusive drunken father of the "victim" Mayella), was Robert E. Lee Ewell. Robert E. Lee was a General & the Commander of the Confederate Army during the U.S. Civil War. General Lee's name was a popular choice for white Southerners to name their kids. In the film, as in real life, that name acts as a sort of signal - a not-so-hidden code - to let you know that this guy inherited the Confederate legacy of white supremacy & hatred for Black people. About the segregated 'Jim Crow' South in the U.S.: - There were no Black people on Tom Robinson's jury. Although we have a Common Law right to a jury of our peers, Black people would never have been allowed to serve on a jury in the trial of a Black man accused of raping a white woman. - Ewell calling that older man, "boy," was a practice as common as dirt in the Deep South. It was normal for white folks to infantilize Black people - we were (and too often still are), viewed as universally stupid & unable to function as full members of society. To this day, there are people in the U.S. who believe that Black folks are basically like dim-witted children with superhuman strength. - That group of men intended to bust Tom Robinson out of the jail so that they could lynch him. By having Atticus ask the housekeeper to stay with the children, then go down to the jail to keep watch, Harper Lee was showing how common this was at the time. If you do a web search for 'jailhouse lynching' you'll get an idea of just how widespread this was in the U.S. - 'Lynching' means extrajudicial killing - it's a common misconception that all lynching in the U.S. was done by hanging. Although hanging was common, racially motivated lynching took a lot of very nasty forms. Victims could be any combination of shot, strangled, beaten, tortured, burned, drowned, dragged behind vehicles, etc. P.S. The book is fiction, but the author, Harper Lee, based it loosely on her own childhood memories of growing up in Alabama during segregation. There is a second book with many of the same characters, called "Go Set A Watchman," that was published right before Harper Lee died. Unfortunately, although it was marketed & sold as a sequel to, "To Kill A Mockingbird," it's more likely that it was actually a first draft of 'Mockingbird' that her agent & lawyer altered & published in order to take advantage of the elderly Harper Lee.

8:20 He's not just mad - he's drunk. You can tell by the way he's walking.

AWWWW Thank you so much for your reaction! The book and the movie are some of my favourites! Some people say this story should be "cancelled" because of the racism. But it is sadly so important to revisit it now. (And these people obviously didn't understand the story) ❤

Love this movie. I wanted Gregory Peck to be my father. So glad to see you doing the classics!!

You are the first people I have seen react to this movie so far on RU-vid and I want to thank you because this is a beloved movie that I grew up on and a beautiful book that I read many times as a young teen. I hope you will react to more movies with the main actor, Gregory Peck, as he is my all-time favorite actor. A couple of suggestions would be ROMAN HOLIDAY (another beloved classic) and GUNS OF NAVARONE ( an amazing war movie that my father - R.I.P - watched with me many times when I was younger. You guys are the best! Keep smiling 🤘 🙂

I will try to check this out later tonight! Just glad you two go back to good movies that started movies being as big as they are.

So glad to see reaction vids to the classic older movies instead of just modern big budget action films. Thank you. Hope you will do more like this in the future. There are a lot of great ones to choose from.

"Dill" was real life Truman Capote.

Another great reaction, I do like your input, insight, have watched this movie several times over the years, beautiful story and acting.

A few more classics you should check out. "In the Heat of the Night", "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", "The Wiz", "Of Mice and Men" and "A Raisin in the Sun"

The star of the movie is one of the greatest film actors ever...Gregory Peck.

This movie is like having a great, like having Grandma's thick Chicken Noodle soup, it tastes good and this film feels good. I'll never tire of this perfect film.

If you want to continue the classic courtroom dramas -- you might want to consider "Inherit The Wind" (1960)

For many years, racist, White southerners used to refer to fully grown black men as "boy". It was done deliberately to belittle them.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of my favorite books and this movie does a great job sticking close to it. Obviously the book has a lot more detail and parts that couldn't be included, but this movie was able to capture the most important parts. I really enjoyed how the 2 of you were able to recognize so many things before they were revealed and the commentary you added along with it. Very enjoyable.

Great reaction to a classic. Alot of moments that are poinent. When scout innocently diffused the mob of angry men at jailhouse with conversation with Mr Cunningham. And at the end of courtroom scene when all the black people stood up out of respect for Atticus. Great movie.

Wow! What a coincidence! I just saw my first (and second) mockingbird of the year, yesterday. Good timing.

A beautiful book, a wonderful film, and a delightful experience to watch such a sweet, caring, thoughtful, fun and loving couple enjoying this classic together. Thank you so much Joy and Marian, your cheerful good nature is heartening and absolutely infectious, I appreciate you greatly! 🥰

I had to write an essay on this wonderful book To kill a mockingbird in high school. We also watched the film which was amazing. All the cast did a great job.

Good eye, then! Robert Duvall's first film role was here, playing Boo Radley. I saw this movie in a theater when i was 12 years old. It was a peek into the Civil Rights Movement and the marches and protests to come. What a transitional time. And Duvall would show up in movies as i grew. A decade from this in THE GODFATHER (and GODFATHER 2), a spot in INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, then APOCALYPSE NOW. In 2003, he co-starred with Kevin Costner in OPEN RANGE. There's a Western you guys would like reacting to. In fact i'm putting in a request for that right here. Thanks for this movie - i enjoyed your reactions. I'm subbed, now -

The friend of Jem and Scout the boy Charles [Dill] ,was based on Truman Capote ,Harper Lee and he were friends when they were kids.

My most loved book and movie ...the book should still be required reading.