To Kill a Mockingbird or It's a Wonderful Life?
Which movie it's the most beautiful and inspiring?
shareObjectively, I think "To Kill A Mockingbird" is better made, with better performances all around. The emotional highlights of the movie for me are: 1) "Stand up Miss Finch, your father's passing"; 2) "Hey Boo!" and 3) "Because it would be like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" Besides, the whole premise of childhood innocence slowly evolving into mature insight, is truly moving.
On the other hand, "It's A Wonderful Life" is adorable despite its flaws. James Stewart (who is one of my favourite old-time actors) is amazing, and the film hits surprisingly "real-life" dark territory in the scenes of family conflict, professional frustration and depression for George Bailey. The ending is sweet and reassuring - it reaffirms your faith in everything good.
Overall, "It's A Wonderful Life" is like a favourite bedtime story for me - I return to it whenever I want to tread along a much-loved familiar path. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is deeper, more thought-provoking, and less of a comforter. I see it when I am in the mood to think and experience emotional "kicks".
Edit: I have also posted this in response to the similar thread started by the OP in the board for "To Kill A Mockingbird".
Excellent reply.
I agree with much of what you said.
I would add, however, that the question is really comparing apples to oranges. So, it's quite difficult to make a direct comparison.
I consider the films to be of different genres, so it's hard to make a direct comparison of one to the other.
They are both gems!
That being said, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably one of my most favorite -- if not the most favorite -- films (and books!) of all time.
To this day, I am grateful to my high school English teacher (Mr. Jack Schread) for his enthusiasm when teaching the novel. His enthusiasm and love of the novel certainly rubbed off on me. And many others, I am sure.
His favorites -- and, subsequently, mine -- were both To Kill a Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Wow! What great books! Sometimes makes me wish I was a high school literature student all over again.
Some other greats: Flowers for Algernon, Lord of the Flies, A Separate Peace, The Catcher in the Rye, A Day No Pigs Would Die, ...
... and so many more ...
Thanks, I'm glad you agree!
I actually read "To Kill A Mockingbird" as an adult. I fell in love with it. Atticus Finch is, in my view, one of the best written characters in the history of literature. The book is so full of humour, insight, heart-warming affection and life lessons.
I've only read "Lord of the Flies" from among the list of books you provided. It's a bit too dark for my taste, though. I'd love to read the others, especially "The Catcher in the Rye" as I have heard so much about it.
Thanks.
I agree about the novel and about Atticus Finch.
I myself used both the novel and the character of Atticus Finch in my Law School Application essay.
Yes, those others, too, are all great books.
I am somewhat surprised that you haven't read them. I had always assumed that they were pretty much "standard fare" for high school literature classes. At least, during my era.
I read them back then ... and, thirty or forty years later, I still love them.
In any event ...
There is something to be said about reading To Kill A Mockingbird as a teenager. And then subsequently revisiting it as an adult. It's a great experience. It's like "going back home".
And, of course, the passage of time and the accumulation of maturity/adult wisdom make the reading experience that much richer and more valuable.