To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1960 novel by Harper Lee that was adapted into a movie in 1962 by director Robert Mulligan and screenwriter Horton Foote. Set in the 1930s, the story explores themes of racial injustice, prejudice, courage, and morality through the eyes of the young Scout Finch, who narrates the story.
The film stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, the widowed father of Scout and Jem. Atticus is a lawyer who is asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman in their small Southern town. Despite the overwhelming evidence in Tom's favor, the all-white jury finds him guilty and he is sentenced to death. The trial brings to light the deeply ingrained racism and bigotry in the town, and the children learn valuable lessons about standing up for what is right, even when it is unpopular.
In addition to the main plot, the movie also touches on the subplot of Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor who is rumored to be a recluse and potentially dangerous. The children become fascinated with Boo and even play games involving him, but eventually learn to see him as a person rather than a scary figure.
To Kill a Mockingbird received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, nuanced storytelling, and important social message. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Peck, and is considered a classic of American cinema.