Analyzing Film To Kill a Mockingbird - Scholarship Essay Example

To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird is a feature film directed by Robert Mulligan. Based on the award-winning novel by Harper Lee, the film was released 2 years after the book in 1962 and made a sensation. It is still considered to be one of the best films in history as it manages to keep spectators engaged even though it is not rich in special effects or posh things. This black and white film is exceptional due to the quality of performance, directors work, editing and superb score. This essay will analyze the film in detail focusing on its relevant elements in order to prove that this film can easily compete with modern blockbusters because it is a masterpiece of cinematography. The cast of the film includes Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus Finch, Mary Badham in Scouts role, Phillip Alford in Jems role and John Megna in the role of Charles Baker "Dill" Harris. Gregory Peck presents a liberal lawyer and a widower who takes care of his two children Jem and Scout. While Jem is a decent boy, Scout is a little tomboy who adores spending time with her brother and doing all the things boys do. Together with their friend Dill, children learn about life more than they should know in their childhood. Other roles are performed by Frank Overtone (Sheriff Heck Tate), Rosemary Murphy (Miss Maudie), Brock Peters (Tom Robinson), Estelle Evans (Calpurnia), Collin Wilcox (Mayella Violet Ewell) and others. Even though the roles of these actors create the core storyline of the film, they serve as a background for development of main characters in the film. This film is representative for courtroom drama film genre. The genre presupposes that justice system plays a major role in movies plot (Machura & Ulbrich, 2001). This definition is true for To Kill a Mockingbird where the major part of the film is staged in local court. The criminal case described in the film triggers many serious topics like racism, domestic violence, inequality and poverty in American rural society in 1930-s. The major part of the film is literally staged in the courtroom so it is the central theme in the film. The action takes place in a small town Maycomb located somewhere in Alabama. The film is narrated as a memory of Scout; she spends her days happily with her brother Jes and their friend Dill trying to spot Arthur Boo Radley, their neighbor who suffers from mental illness and never leaves his house. Their days are full of happiness; yet, they start noticing that life is not easy for people in Maycomb. The population of the town suffers from deep poverty; people do not have money to buy anything and survive how they can. Atticus even accepts food in exchange for legal services he provides to local people. The story of the film is based on the case filed against Tom Robinson, an African American, who is accused of rape. Atticus Finch is appointed to present Robinsons defense in the local court. He is highly criticized by local community for his acceptance of this case as a white man should not protect an African American. However, Atticus ignores public opinion and does everything possible to bring Tom back to his family. Jury in the court negatively treats the attempts to vindicate Robinson. Even though Tom physically could not beat Mayella and there was no medical examination of the victim, people still believe that he Robinson guilty. Atticus is disappointed but he believes that they can win the case. His hopes are lost when he finds out that Robinson is shot by the guard. Local people are very angry at Atticus; Bob Ewell (James Anderson) even spits in his face. Moreover, he tries to kill Scout and Jes, but he is stabbed by Radley who protects children and brings unconscious Jes home to Atticus. This exceptional story becomes alive in the carrying hands of Robert Mulligan. Mise en scene of the film is impressive as it manages to create the atmosphere. Lighting plays a specific role here because the film is black and white and contrasts are very relevant for rendering emotions, attitudes and mood of characters. Soft lighting is frequently used in the film as well as low contrast; these two techniques are used to add certain nostalgic mood to the film. One should pay attention to them in order to understand that the narrator recollect the events with pleasure and soft melancholy. All scenes staged at night are full of dark colors. Intense shades are used to render the atmosphere of fear as children are afraid of darkness and Boo Radley. The film is framed by narrators words (Osborn, 1995). In the beginning the narrator presents all characters and the town itself showing how typical Maycomb is and how people live there. In the end of the film the narrator talks a bit about some future events and the value of memories about her childhood for her further life. She looks at everything from the point of vies of an adult and intensifies sweet nostalgia for her carefree childhood with Atticus who taught her everything she knows now. Costuming is a relevant part of any film because costumes shows social role and status of every character. For instance, Atticus always wears his light full costume with dark shoes and glasses. His appearance presents his high social status in Maycomb community because as he wears his suit regardless of social status of people he attends during the day (Osborn, 1995). Ordinary Maycomb residents are dressed in simple denim coveralls, working boots and stray hats. Women are very feminine as all of them wear dresses made of cotton. Costumes show signs of poverty in the region; people have to work hard but cannot earn enough for good living. Editing of the film definitely adds charm to many scenes. The film is rich in low angle shots that are used to narrate the story as children see it. Effective use of close ups in the courtroom scene renders emotions experienced by each person involved in the case. Establishing shots are frequently used to show scenes in general; for instance, the capture both Atticus and spectators in the courtroom to show the main character alongside with his reception by other people. Family dimension is mostly rendered through middle shots that capture characters in postures characteristic for their relationships. Filmmakers apply dissolving techniques to create smooth transitions between different scenes. Overall, mastery of each actor in the film distract attention from technical details and totally engages spectators in the film. To Kill A Mockingbird has a perfect score composed by Elmern Berstein who captured southern living in gentle and soothing music (Buhler, Neumeyer & Deemer, 2010). Music intensifies nostalgic mood of some scenes; at the same time, it adds tension to pictures of neighborhood mysteries and racial inequality. Piano, flute and brass add positive tone to the film; happy tunes remind spectators that the story is told from childrens point of view. As for technology, this courtroom drama operates in psychological dimension and visual effects are not required to make spectators feel tension and controversy of the case. The fact that film is made is black and white helps to intensify certain scenes in the film. For instance, night scenes staged close to Radleys house look very dark and scary by focusing attention on shadows, slight sounds in the darkness and close ups that show how children are really afraid of the situation. Modern films are more likely to capture attention of spectators by visual effects and computer graphics; To Kill a Mockingbird is not the case. To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on the problem of racism in American society. Being liberal, Atticus has to fight with public opinion in order to show that stereotypes about people are not right (Osborn, 1995). First of all, his acceptance of the case challenges public opinion in his community. People believe that African Americans all steal and kill and they do not deserve the same treatment as white people. One more conflict raised in the feel is relationship between races. Mayella looks at personal characteristics of Tom Robinson and realizes that this helping African American man is much better than her father who beats her and abuses alcohol. She tries to kiss Tom and has to conceal her feelings in the courtroom where people would never accept such a behavior. Deep poverty of Maycomb community forces people to turn aggressive in order not to lose their sense of self-dignity and manhood. The reception of the film in media was great. Lees novel was extremely popular; children studied it at school and adults read it at home. Any film based on this book would be successful; however, high quality of To Kill a Mockingbird only intensified its success and showed that cinematography is the same art as literature or painting. Almost all respectful publications had a review of the film; moreover, it became so popular that The National Council for Teachers of English created a film study guide and distributed it at different schools (Griffith, 1997). The film appeared at the time when it was needed. Civil Rights movement was in the process and may people accepted liberal views on life in their community full of racism and inequalities. In summary, this film is considered to be iconic due to obvious reasons. It tells an interesting story that affect society and allows people observing how judgmental they are. The quality of editing, lighting, music and costuming makes it look real as if it really happened in one of American towns in 1930-s. The cast makes the film perfect as it is; Gregory Peck is so persuasive that he manages to make people believe is the ideas of his character Atticus Finch. Sweet childhood years and pleasant memories make this film very personal for all people who watch the film. Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird is a film like no other; it is still topical for our society because racism, injustice and poverty still exist in the world and people need such heroes as Atticus Finch to start changing the world from themselves. Reflection Watching film and analyzing it are two totally different things. When people simply watch film, they want to be entertained. Many important details are ignored and facts are missed by their desire not to think. However, when people analyze anything, they are very critical and attentive to details. Also, analysis requires additional research to find answers to some uncertain moments or learn more about the context of the film. This experience is very precious for me because I approached cinematography from a different side. Instead of watching the films, I tried to analyze them and it helped me to find the reason why some films I know were appreciated and others were criticized. This course has helped me to apply mover theory to real films to find their true meaning. I would never spot some many details in To Kill a Mockingbird without this course and this assignment. Now I understand why people value this film; I used to think that black and white films were not worth watching because they were old and boring and now I have changed my mind. Beauty of the film is not in famous actors or huge budget; it is in its impact on society, values it manifests and ideas it promotes. This course has positively influenced my ability to concentrate on something because analysis is impossible without concentration. It has also given general tips how to watch good films and understand their meaning. Now I pay more attention to the cultural context of any film because fiction often has its roots in reality. Films can be used as case studies to various social and political situations; thy can show how morality changes today and explain why it happens. Summing up, this course is not about films only. I has taught me to appreciate cinematography and look deeper in every motion picture I watch. It is inspiring because it shows that all people can understand any films; thy just need a bit of theory to understand what director is intended to say. Now I feel that I am capable of understanding cinematography as art and entertainment at the same time. This course inspires me to continue learning more about films and how they relate to real life. References Buhler, J., Neumeyer, D., & Deemer, R. (2010). Hearing the movies: Music and sound in film history. New York: Oxford University Press. Griffith, J. J. (1997). Adaptations as imitations: films from novels. University of Delaware Press. Machura, S., & Ulbrich, S. (2001). Law in film: Globalizing the Hollywood courtroom drama. Journal of Law and Society, 28(1), 117-132. Mulligan, R. (Director). (1962). To kill a mockingbird [Motion picture]. (Universal Pictures ) Osborn Jr, J. J. (1995). Atticus Finch-the end of honor: A discussion of to kill a mockingbird. USFL Rev., 30, 1139. Read More