THE SCREENPLAY OF TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

by Horton Foote

play american literature

Genres: Plays, Classics, School

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Albert Horton Foote, Jr. was an American playwright and screenwriter, perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning screenplays for the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird and the 1983 film Tender Mercies, and his notable live television dramas during the Golden Age of Television. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1995 for his play The Young Man From Atlanta.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my daughter is in 8th grade and will be reading the novel in 9th, I thought she'd enjoy getting a "jump" by reading this screenplay. We then discussed the possibility of Truman Capote being the author and read his short story in this book, "The Thanksgiving Visitor" as well as Langston Hughes' poem, "Freedom"...all of which are EXCELLENT. Thumbs up on all the works in this book. Sidenote: My grandmother went to high school with Gregory Peck (Atticus in TKAMockingbird) and I have her yearbook with his signed photo in it; she always remembered him as a wonderful guy.

[Kat O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first year I taught the screenplay vs. the novel. It worked really well for my special class students and I was impressed with how few classes it took, which was good since we were coming down to crunch time. I gave out parts and they really got into it. Wish we could have read in auditorium and been a little theatrical. Next year!

[An · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's wonderful to read this book. It reminds me the social thought (thoughts about others and it can really affect the moral judgment)and how people is actually changing the world by changing their view. It is like the first stage of paradigm shift.
Not to mention the dad Articus - he is so much calm and patient. How he teaches his children to not be the ones that they don't want to, live as who they are. How he lets his kids play around and only intervene when needed.
And the world will up side down just a minute later. The world is weird. So to live, live weirdly.
The only thing that I give it a four-star is because I feel that this topic has been already done by many writers, here, the world is just discovered differently.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son had to read this book for a school assignment, so I read it also. He is on the autism spectrum and this book is great because it is written in screenplay format ~ speaker is identified and there is ample spacing between speakers. Concise and easy to read for those that do not gain meaning from too many adjectives, descriptions, and unnecessary words. It's always interesting re-reading something after many years. It was a good assignment for me too!

[Micheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing play.

I’ve never read “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee but after this screenplay adaptation, I certainly will. To see a white man stand up and defend a black man in such a poverty-stricken and turbulent time is amazing.

Atticus certainly causes a stir amongst the people in the town due to black man he is defending and is belittled because of it.

Such an amazing story. Definitely would recommend.

[F. Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really amazing, and cute.

[annie summerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this for english

i really like how we read this in class as characters cause i feel like i could interpret the story better

[Ron Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite novel and movie. The screenplay is so good!

[Jayni Tormé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tackles racial injustice.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this at a thrift store and now that I've had a chance to revisit the book again before watching the movie, I can finally get around to reading this screenplay. All I can say is, if you don't have time to watch the movie, this book will suffice as a handy reference. It's all here. There are no deleted scenes or lines. I dare you to read Atticus' lines without hearing in your head the sexy baritone of Gregory Peck who was born to play this role.
The essays and song lyrics at the end are also good reading. The first essay provides a useful history of what ultimately caused the Great Depression and how it affected everyone. The next is the story of a young child growing up in Florida during the depression observing his lawyer father take a stand against an injustice done to his family. Next is a rather long tale of a depression era young boy in Alabama who is bullied by another boy at school. He is encouraged by his family to invite this bully to Thanksgiving dinner where his true colors come out and he ultimately ceases picking on the victim. Another essay is the observation of a young man working in a soda plant who becomes acquainted with a shy, introverted Boo Radley type who turns out to be a talented writer. Finally, a father writes of an incident where he intervened one night while crossing through the park with his daughter to break up a group of white boys beating on one innocent black boy for trespassing on their turf. Jim Crow laws allowed such injustice and the father realizes he can't explain social injustice to his inquisitive daughter.
Overall, this screenplay and the related reading make this book a nice addition to any library.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this play constantly seemed like it was in fast forward compared to the book, it was very enjoyable. Scout still came off as the cute, tomboy little girl, and Jem was still the young mature leader of the group. Even though some of the novel's significance is lost in this shortened version, the large messages still are effectively portrayed.

This has been a great literary tool in teaching lower level high school students who would struggle with Harper Lee's novel. I highly recommend it for anyone teaching TKMB to middle schoolers or lower level high schoolers.

It is also a fun, quick read for anyone who enjoys quality literature.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, was the best book I've ever read! Did not want to finish reading it.
I cry alot in this book. Really thinking, this could, really happen
to someone.
Loved the whole story! The playful things children do.
I loved the Father image. He raising children on his own.(What a good job). The character next door, was spooky, but turned out to be the Hero!
You have got to read this book, lots of surprises!

[Soobeen Hyun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my friends like this book, but some of them hated this book. I personally liked this book at first time, but when I second time I read, I was confused. The title, To Kill a Mockingbird, does not mean only certain people from the book. I think Mockingbird stands for all the victims around the world who were scarified their life as a human to corrupted society.
It would be a good book to try to find the message that this book contain.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. I only read it becase i had to for english claSS IN 9TH GRADE. It was so boring to me i didnt get the point of reading it. Maybe i didnt like it because i didnt throughly read it like i should have. I understood the whole deal with the racism and the tree. I guess this book just want for me. I don't usually go for this type of book.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Bible as a Public Defender.

[Zoila · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic. Don't deprive yourself of it.

[Stacey Wanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the book because for some crazy reason I had never read it. Wow, is all I can say. One of the best books I have ever read. So sad to finish.

[John Love IV · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible screenplay adaption of TKAM as performed in the 1962 movie with Gregory Peck. My 10th grade English class liked it quite a bit and seemed to enjoy reading the various parts in class.