THE best film of the weekend is the 1962 version of Harper Lee's Pulitzer-winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird (Pearl, 1.25 pm), which stars Gregory Peck as an upstanding citizen and model of affectionate fatherhood. Look out also for Robert Duvall, who made his debut.
Peck plays incorruptible lawyer Atticus Finch, a widower with two children, 10-year-old Jem (Philip Alford) and tomboyish six-year-old Scout (Mary Badham). During the summer Gem and Scout amuse themselves by rolling each other down the street in an old tyre.
But what amuses them most is the creaky old house where Duvall lives. According to neighbourhood legend, Duvall is crazy and chained to his bed by his father, although he has never been seen.
While the kids play, Atticus agrees to represent a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. People try to persuade him to step down from the case, but his pursuit of justice is unwavering.
As the case proceeds, Atticus, Jem and especially Scout, learn as much about each other as they do about their own fears and prejudices.
To Kill A Mockingbird is atmospheric and intelligent, with the bonus of a musical score by Elmer Bernstein. It's as much for children as it is for adults, although the language and general subject matter of the trial scenes might be a bit rough for some.
