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CULTURE

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Returns to Theaters This Weekend

The classic film about race and justice in America is as relevant as ever, and will return to select theaters later this month.

1962’s To Kill A Mockingbird is considered a classic film, based on an equally revered Pulitzer-Prize winning novel of the same name by Harper Lee, published in 1960. The film starred Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, in an Oscar-winning performance that is still considered one of the most iconic, heroic characters in cinema history.

Classic Film Returns to Theaters

The film is returning to theaters as part of the Turner Classic Movies Big Screen Classics Series and will feature newly produced commentary from Turner Classic Movies’ Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz.

Seen through the eyes of a young girl named Scout played by Mary Badham, the film depicts a trial in small-town 1930s Southern U.S., where a poor black man is accused of raping a white woman. Scout’s father, the affluent white lawyer Atticus, defends this man—risking his career and life in the process.

With his calm bravery and dignity, Atticus ultimately teaches his children the importance of fighting against racism, prejudice, and violence, regardless of what the majority may think or do at the time.

Nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film went on to win three Oscars at the 1963 Academy Awards including Best Actor (Peck) and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also ranks #34 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Atticus Finch was also named the screen’s greatest hero by AFI.

Movie’s Universal Themes Still Apply in Today’s Society

Undoubtedly, the film’s themes and events are still timely in our current political and social climate, with rising reports of cultural divisionism, xenophobia and racially motivated accusations involving crime.

It’s fitting that this classic film will return to theaters for a new generation of moviegoers to experience.

The classic story has also been adapted for Broadway in 2018 by famed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, starring Jeff Daniels.

In a recent interview as well, actress Badham who played young Scout in the 1962 film, drew comparisons between her fictional father and former president Barack Obama.

“He’s got that sense of humor. He puts people at ease as soon as he walks in the door,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. Badham met Obama at a 2012 White House screening of To Kill a Mockingbird.

To Kill A Mockingbird returns to 600 theaters on March 24 and 27 with the aid of Fathom Events and Universal Pictures. Other classic films that will return this year as part of the Turner Classic Movies Big Screen Classics Series include titles such as Ben-Hur, The Shawshank Redemption, and Lawrence of Arabia, among others.

Tickets can be purchased on the Fathom Events site or participating theater box offices.

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