Page 49 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 126
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www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #126 July 2023 49
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right now. AB: Wow, that’s really
kind of weird.
NA: But anyways, I really
appreciate this.
AB: My pleasure. What a nice
conversation I’ve had with you.
NA: Thank you. I appreciate it.
AB: Both here and before. So
thank you Nikolai.
“You never really understand a
person until you consider things
from his point of view. . . Until you
climb inside of his skin and walk
around in it.”
Arguably one of the greatest
adaptations of all-time, 1962’s To
Kill a Mockingbird is a masterclass
in writing (Horton Foote won the
Photo Submitted
Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay),
Badham) is the youngest child of like Atticus Finch, not all is what it And, to return to the casting of the
direction (Robert Mulligan),
Atticus, a tomboy reflecting back seems. film once more, what is it that makes
cinematography (Russell Harlan),
on those memorable days of her Gregory Peck and the other actors
and, something not always talked Yet, this harrowing tale is also
childhood (the voice-over narration so right for their respective parts?
about, casting. a horror film, for the children are
of adult Scout is provided by Kim Whilst making notes on his shooting
You would think that one of the Stanley). Along with her older much intrigued by their elusive script, Peck wrote four words on the
most iconic films to have ever come brother Jem (Phillip Alford), and and mysterious neighbour, Boo bottom of the final page: ‘fairness’,
out of Hollywood would have had summertime friend Dill Harris Radley (Robert Duvall – in his first ‘courage’, ‘stubbornness’ and ‘love’
an easy time being made. . . yet, (John Megna – a character based on role). Shot with a stunning eye, it – terms that not only exemplify the
Universal really had no interest Truman Capote as a child – who grew fuses classic American horror with character, but also the actor. In many
in making the movie (lacking up with the book’s author Harper German Expressionism; shadow, ways, Peck and Finch are one, a rare
action, a love story and a typical Lee), the triumvirate learn of love, light, sound effects and one little fusion coming from the fact that in
Hollywood ending, they felt it may hatred, racism, and the complexities jump scare coming together to many ways, the actor is so much like
feel bland on the screen) – that is, of life over two hot summers (and make for some spooky scenes. . . for the character he plays. What we see
until Gregory Peck fell in love with one school year in between) in the a comparison piece, watch Charles and hear in the movie. . . his deep,
the piece and signed on to do it (oh, early 1930s in Alabama. Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter soothing voice, his sage advice, his
how star power changes a studio’s (1955) – actor Laughton’s only quietly assertive willpower, wisdom
perspective on things). A complex, multi-genre spanning directorial effort. and honesty beyond his years, all
film, at its core, it is a gripping
With Gregory Peck set in the courtroom drama. . . which finds Lastly, and perhaps most transcend the medium, as if it were
starring role of small-town lawyer Atticus representing an African importantly, To Kill a Mockingbird our father speaking directly to us
Atticus Finch, casting director American man, Tom Robinson is also a coming of age story. . . a – a rare feat for a motion picture.
Boaty Boatwright decided to select (Brock Peters), who has been child’s perspective feeding into the Peck’s portrayal comes across as an
lesser known stage actors and first accused of raping a white woman, horrors of the unknown, the fear of idyllic father or role model to us all,
timers to add a sense of realism to Mayella Violet Ewell (Collin every creak and howl, as well as a and, from all of the stories you will
the fictional location of Maycomb, Wilcox Paxton). To most of the unique perspective on a father, his hear, Peck was very much a similar
Alabama. racist townsfolk in 1930s Maycomb, advice, and the way he manages the person. If you listen to Badham’s
town as he works the biggest and
Told from a child’s perspective, Alabama, it is an open and shut case, most controversial event ever to recollections of filming, Peck was
the most compassionate, caring,
Jean Louise “Scout” Finch (Mary but to an astute and just individual happen in the small locale.
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