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Release Date: October 11th, 2022 Movie Release Year: 1962

To Kill a Mockingbird - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Overview -

Director Robert Mulligan's impeccable adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel receives a wondrous 4K UHD makeover from Universal. A superb HDR transfer immerses us in the episodes that shape Atticus Finch and his family more fully than ever before and adds even more emotion and resonance to this deeply affecting and supremely important film. Gregory Peck's understated, Oscar-winning portrayal still wields plenty of power and Horton Foote's lyrical script captures the distinct tone of Lee's timeless tale. A brand-new featurette adds fresh perspective and all the extras from the 2012 Blu-ray have been ported over to this 4K UHD release. To Kill a Mockingbird ranks as one of Hollywood's finest literary adaptations and this excellent release appropriately honors it. Must Own

Experience one of the most significant milestones in film history like never before with To Kill a Mockingbird. Screen legend Gregory Peck stars as courageous Southern lawyer Atticus Finch—the Academy Award®-winning performance hailed by the American Film Institute as the Greatest Movie Hero of All Time. Based on Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel about innocence, strength and conviction and nominated for 8 Academy Awards®, this beloved classic is now digitally remastered and fully restored for optimum picture and sound quality and boasts hours of unforgettable bonus features. Watch it and remember why "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

 

Bonus Content:

Disc 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird:

  • Includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a digital copy of To Kill a Mockingbird (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
  • 4x Sharper than Full HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR10)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird: All Points of View
  • Fearful Symmetry
  • A Conversation with Gregory Peck
  • Academy Award® Best Actor Acceptance Speech
  • American Film Institute Life Achievement Award
  • Excerpt from Tribute to Gregory Peck
  • Scout Remembers
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
  • Feature Commentary with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula


Disc 2 - To Kill a Mockingbird:

  • To Kill a Mockingbird: All Points of View
  • Fearful Symmetry
  • A Conversation with Gregory Peck
  • Academy Award® Best Actor Acceptance Speech
  • American Film Institute Life Achievement Award
  • Excerpt from Tribute to Gregory Peck
  • Scout Remembers
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
  • Feature Commentary with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula

OVERALL:
Must Own
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + Blu-ray + Digital
Video Resolution/Codec:
HDR10
Length:
130
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.85:1
Audio Formats:
English: DTS Digital Surround 2.0 Mono
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH, French, Spanish
Special Features:
Theatrical Trailer
Release Date:
October 11th, 2022

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Some novels are sacred. At a young age, the right book can make an indelible impression, speaking to us on a variety of emotional and intellectual levels, and often the impact remains etched in our consciousness throughout our lives. Catcher in the Rye is one such book, and To Kill a Mockingbird, a work of deceptive simplicity yet far-reaching power, is another. Harper Lee's immortal novel explores with grace and insight such universal topics as racism, coming of age, tolerance, domestic violence, the binding ties of family, and the unique discoveries of youth, and has earned the author a degree of reverence and renown reserved only for the most elite men and women of letters.

The two juvenile characters, six-year-old Scout (the spunky tomboy narrator) and her 10-year-old brother Jem, are among the most recognizable and beloved in American literature, as is their father, the stoic, honorable, courageous, wise, yet tender Atticus Finch, a widowed attorney who passionately defends a black man accused of rape by a white woman in a prejudiced, small-minded Alabama town in the 1930s. And then there's Boo Radley, the mysterious recluse who both fascinates and frightens the neighborhood children. Such a rich array of characters and events coalesce to produce that rare piece of fiction that inspires, educates, and entertains without affectation or conceit.

Filming such a book is always, to put it mildly, a tricky endeavor, and the finished product more often than not disappoints the original work's legion of admirers. The 1962 screen adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is that rare exception, a movie that humbly honors its source and strives to depict the prose as faithfully as possible. Director Robert Mulligan and writer Horton Foote take great care to express the novel's ideas and themes with a delicate hand, so they gently emanate from the dialogue and characters. We may not be able to identify with all the events, but the spirit and values of those who inhabit the scenario strike several personal chords and touch us deeply. The film weaves such a deft and seductive spell, it's difficult not to become completely invested in the action on screen and feel a part of the family and community that reside there.

To Kill a Mockingbird is all about integrity and restraint. Understatement defined Mulligan's direction throughout his 35-year career, and he's a master at capturing small moments with a minimum of fuss. Lingering on reaction shots for just that extra second or two deepens their meaning and helps lend his stories a languorous quality that mirrors real life. Even scenes of suspense in To Kill a Mockingbird are never overwrought or overplayed. The sequence in which Scout (Mary Badham), Jem (Phillip Alford), and their nerdy friend Dill (John Megna), a character based on the young Truman Capote (a childhood pal of Lee's), attempt to catch a glimpse of Boo Radley (Robert Duvall) by creeping up to his dilapidated home one dark summer night possesses all the elements of a taut thriller, but lacks any fancy tricks or manipulative touches. Likewise, the courtroom scenes exude a sober weight based on thoughtful argument, not wild histrionics. Some might categorize To Kill a Mockingbird as slow and too methodical, but ideas and feelings need time to sink in and percolate, and Mulligan provides us that luxury.

If Mulligan and Foote are the film's heart and mind, then the first-rate cast is its soul. Mention actor Gregory Peck and the first movie that springs to mind is To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is such a vital part of Peck, it's sometimes difficult to separate the man from the role. Resolute yet flexible, firm yet understanding, passionate yet controlled, Peck personifies all the pieces of Atticus, and his performance is a marvel. Subtle, controlled, and brimming with texture, it's both finely etched and utterly natural, and justly earned the star a Best Actor Academy Award. (The film also won Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Art Direction, and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Score.)

Of course, much of To Kill a Mockingbird hinges on the children. The story is seen through their wide eyes, and their intrepid explorations, small yet meaningful discoveries, gradual maturation, and an ardent desire to understand the complexities of the adult world frame the film. Unaffected portrayals are essential to maintain the slice-of-life realism, and all the juveniles comply. Their expressive faces always register the right amount of emotion, and their bickering, bonding, and thoughtful reflection never seem forced. In addition, Brock Peters as the wrongly accused Tom Robinson rips our guts out with a deeply moving portrayal, and Duvall, in his film debut, is achingly sincere as the gentle giant Boo Radley. Without the benefit of a single line, Duvall plays the picture's most difficult role, conveying an enormous range of feelings and providing perfectly pitched closure to a richly woven tale.

To Kill a Mockingbird is that rare literary adaptation that doesn't demean its source. The book, of course, still reigns supreme, but with reverence and perception, Mulligan's film captures its flavor as it explores a tapestry of potent themes. At its most basic level, it's a simple portrait of a middle-class family in a small Southern town. Some of the circumstances they confront are extraordinary, others mundane. Sage advice is dispensed, mischief is made, and relationships change and deepen. The best and worst of mankind are exposed, as characters both overcome and succumb to fear, vengeance, and prejudice. As Atticus says, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird, and this great movie makes us appreciate the small and big moments of life, and how both can impact us equally. It's truly one of the most human films ever made.

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K UHD Blu-ray
The 4K UHD edition of To Kill a Mockingbird comes packaged in a standard case inside a sleeve with raised lettering. A Blu-ray disc that houses a 1080p version of the film and a leaflet containing the Movies Anywhere digital code are tucked inside the front cover. Video codec is 2160p/HEVC H.265 with HDR and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the full-motion menu with music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

Video Review

Ranking:

This terrific 2160p/HEVC H.265 transfer with HDR seems to have been struck from the same master as the 2012 Blu-ray, and that's not at all a bad thing. The 1080p rendering of To Kill a Mockingbird, which is included on a separate disc in this release, is uniformly excellent, but this 4K UHD transfer kicks everything up a notch and becomes the definitive presentation of this beloved film. The heightened clarity and contrast are instantly evident in the close-ups of the various objects in Scout's keepsake box. The details in the crayons, pocket watch, reflective marbles, and beads are distinct and dimensional, and once the action begins, so are the ridges and divots of tree bark, the seersucker pinstripes on Atticus's jacket, and the grain on wood panels.

Speaking of grain, it's still in evidence, but the amped-up sharpness doesn't make it more noticeable. The faint texture not only lends the picture a lovely film-like appearance, but it also enhances the narrative's nostalgic feel and hot, dusty atmosphere of the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. Black levels are richer, whites are brighter and better defined, and the finer gradations of gray in this 4K UHD transfer produce a greater sense of depth and more discernible background elements. Shadow delineation is also stronger, especially during nocturnal scenes. Just a bit more illumination reveals tiny bits of detail that were shrouded before.

Like everything else, close-ups are crisper, too. The stubble, glistening sweat, and tears on Peters' face, Duvall's hollow eyes, and Peck's intense glares all make more palpable impressions. The same scenes that exhibit softness on the Blu-ray exhibit softness here as well, but the instances are rare and brief, and the practically spotless print holds us spellbound throughout.

Though the differences between the 4K UHD and Blu-ray transfers aren't monumental, the subtle improvements are substantial enough to make this 2160p effort worthy of an upgrade if you're a fan of the film.

Audio Review

Ranking:

No Atmos upgrade for this film classic, but frankly, the format's enhancements wouldn't impact this largely sedate movie. Here's my review of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track from the 2012 Blu-ray that's been ported over to this 4K UHD release:

"The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track supplies clear, nicely nuanced sound that subtly complements this quiet film. Any age-related imperfections, such as hiss, pops, and crackles, have been erased, allowing us to appreciate the many instances of clean silence that add power and impact to several scenes. Surround activity is limited, but Elmer Bernstein's unobtrusive music score fills the room with pure tones and lovely tonal depth. Stereo separation up front is also delicately mixed, with atmospherics, such as chirping birds and rustling leaves, enjoying fine presence.

Dialogue is always well prioritized, but some of the townsfolk and children possess enough of a Southern twang and lazy drawl to make some exchanges difficult to comprehend. Effects are also distinct, and broad dynamic range allows the track to put forth solid audio without any distortion or stress. This isn't a flashy presentation, but it serves the film well, and its invisibility is one of its major strengths."

Special Features

Ranking:

One new featurette spices up this 4K UHD edition, which also ports over the entire hefty supplemental package from the 2012 Blu-ray release.

  • NEW Featurette: "To Kill a Mockingbird: All Points of View" (UHD, 25 minutes) - This thoughtful new featurette examines the film's myriad themes, metaphors, and symbolism, evaluates its depiction of race and hatred, celebrates the craftsmen who made the movie, praises its message of hope, and addresses the changes that would need to be made if the movie were remade today. Interviews with academic scholars, film historians, and Gregory Peck's grandson punctuate the piece.

  • Audio Commentary – They're both gone now, so it's especially meaningful and historically important to have this commentary with director Robert Mulligan and producer Alan J. Pakula. While their remarks aren't quite as substantive and probing as I might have liked, the pair provides an interesting look inside the production of To Kill a Mockingbird, and the discussion is always intelligent and focused. They talk about the casting of the juvenile parts and how they intentionally shunned professional child actors; explain their technique of working with children; and laud Peck for his contributions and how he developed relationships with all the young actors. Pakula recalls how he met Mulligan, both discuss the nuances of directing and how essential it is to back off occasionally and let go of the reins, and how much discipline was involved in obtaining the level of restraint that characterizes the film. The supporting cast is also addressed (as well as the inspired casting of Duvall) and a key deleted sequence (that sadly no longer exists) is outlined in this leisurely yet thoughtful track that the film's devotees will certainly find worthwhile.

  • Documentary: "Fearful Symmetry" (SD, 90 minutes) – More than a making-of documentary, this 1998 feature-length examination of To Kill a Mockingbird also looks at Southern and small-town sensibilities, and how they shape the characters and attitudes depicted in the novel and film. Long-time Alabama residents remark on their way of life, and scholars weigh in on the African-American experience during the 1930s. Mulligan, Pakula, Peck, Duvall, writer Horton Foote, composer Elmer Bernstein, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Brock Peters, and others discuss such topics as casting, the decision not to shoot on location, pivotal scenes, and thematic elements. Filmed in black-and-white and featuring pretentious narration, the documentary feels overly reverent and a tad artificial at times, but conveys a wealth of substantive ideas and makes a fine companion piece to the movie.

  • Documentary: "A Conversation with Gregory Peck" (SD, 98 minutes) – An intimate portrait of the actor, this feature-length 1999 documentary follows Peck as he tours the country with his one-man show, in which he reminisces about his career and fields questions from the audience. When off-stage, we see Peck interacting with his wife and family, meeting heads of state, attending the birth of his grandson, working in the greenhouse, encountering fans on the street, and watching basketball in his home. He also poignantly recalls the suicide of one of his sons. Intermingled are clips from many of Peck's best-loved films, including Gentleman's Agreement, Roman Holiday, Twelve O'Clock High, Duel in the Sun, and, of course, To Kill a Mockingbird. The documentary runs a bit long and its leisurely pace dilutes its impact somewhat, but the piece succeeds in providing an in-depth and personal look at the man behind the roles, and Peck's humor, integrity, and warmth always shine through.

  • Vintage TV Clip: "Academy Award Best Actor Acceptance Speech" (SD, 90 seconds) – Actress Sophia Loren presents Peck with his Best Actor Academy Award for To Kill a Mockingbird, and the star graciously accepts it with a few humble, simple, and sincere remarks.

  • Vintage TV Clip: "American Film Institute Life Achievement Award" (SD, 10 minutes) – The 1989 AFI honoree, Peck commands a room of his peers as he accepts the distinguished Life Achievement Award. The actor ruminates on his career and co-stars, shares anecdotes, thanks his family, and makes a plea for the proliferation of original, quality projects. Part of the fun of this 33-year-old clip is spotting such legends as Charlton Heston, Anthony Quinn, Jane Fonda, Liza Minnelli, Sidney Poitier, and Lauren Bacall, in the audience in their younger days.

  • "Excerpt from the Academy Tribute to Gregory Peck" (SD, 10 minutes) – Peck's daughter, Cecilia, honors her famous father with a heartfelt speech, relating him to Atticus Finch and sharing personal anecdotes about his generosity, his devotion to his wife and family, and the special times they enjoyed while working together on a couple of films.

  • Featurette: "Scout Remembers" (SD, 12 minutes) – Actress Mary Badham, who portrayed Scout, recalls her audition for the film, the accessibility of Peck on the set, and how the role of Atticus fit the actor like a glove in this 1999 interview with NBC News. She also discusses her favorite scene in the movie and praises Robert Mulligan's understated direction.

  • Featurette: "100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics" (HD, 9 minutes) – This promotional, yet reverential, piece examines the importance of film preservation and the painstaking process of restoration as it provides a cursory look at how technicians manage film grain, reduce flicker, enhance faded color, repair damage and tears, and clean up audio. Clips from such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein, Jaws, The Sting, Pillow Talk, and All Quiet on the Western Front demonstrate the challenges restorers face and the miracles they often pull off.

  • Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3 minutes) – The original preview for To Kill a Mockingbird features a sober introduction by Peck, followed by clips from the movie and testimonials from various newspapers.

To Kill a Mockingbird may be 60 years old, but it looks spectacular in 4K UHD. Universal's impeccable HDR transfer heightens the intimate nature of Harper Lee's timeless story and the raw emotions and potent themes coursing through it. Excellent audio, a new featurette, and all the extras from the 2012 Blu-ray add to the appeal of this top-notch presentation of one of the all-time great American films. Though the UHD enhancements are slight, the noticeable uptick in picture quality makes this edition worthy of an upgrade for fans...and if you've never seen this understated, moving, and inspiring movie, now is the time. Must Own.