Characters
Jean Louise Finch
'Scout' played by Mary Badham
Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch is the protagonist and narrator of the story; she is a mere 6 years old seeing the world through her eyes. Although extremely intelligent for her age, her perception of the world surrounding is innocence and naive. She enjoys the company of her older brother, Jem, and their summer break friend, Dill. Scout prefers to play with the boys, and is a tomboy; not wanting to wear dresses to school, and her usual outfit of overalls. From the assistance of Atticus, she has learnt to read at a high standard, allowing her to broaden her horizons, this enables her intelligence to benefit her when interacting with other adults. Due to her age, Scout has not yet see or learnt about the evil people posses, and the prejudice people have to 'outsiders', hence she sees the good in people, and gives all a chance.
Jeremy Finch
'Jem' played by Phillip Alford
Jeremy Atticus 'Jem' Finch is the eldest child of Atticus Finch and the brother to Scout. He is the typical American boy, enjoying his football and creating mischievous. He is very independent and the natural leader of both Scout and Dill. Not only the leader, but also the protector, these instincts are shown in the scene on the way home from the school production where they are attacked by Bob Ewell. Due to being 4 years older then Scout, his morals and belief in the kindness of others is wavered by the events that take place.
Atticus Finch
Atticus played by Gregory Peck
Atticus Finch, a widower and a father to two children is a well respected lawyer in the town of Maycomb. He has a different approach to parenting, allowing his children to refer to him as Atticus, and allow them more freedom, another difference is the fact he is an elderly father in comparison to the children at the local school. Atticus is a very respectable man, and known throughout the town as a decent man. As a believer himself, he installs the morals of racial equality into his children. All citizens within town see what a honest and generous man he his, and hence is trusted with the court case of Tom Robinson. Atticus shows empathy to people that are least to have expected it. He is also very wise, from his age, and the added fact that he is one of the only well educated men in the area.
Arthur Radley
'Boo' played by Robert Duvall
Arthur (Boo) Radley is more a pigment of the imagination of the children and the citizens of Maycomb County. After being confined to his house by his father, Boo lacks the social skills to integrate back into society, although he longs to, which is determined through various acts of kindness he performs for the children. Numerous days, small presents would be placed in the hollow of a tree on the edge of his property for the children to collect on their way home from school. He also neatly folds and places Jems trousers on the fence after the children were almost caught trespassing on the property by Nathan, Boo's brother. He is a recluse, refined in his own home; due to this, Boo is child like. After coming to the rescue of the children, Scout realises she is more immature than he is. He is a strong example of goodness smothered by evil; he is a mockingbird. He has been emotionally scared by his father, by the cruel acts.
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is played by Brock Peters
It could be said that the main plot of the story is around Tom Robinson and his unfair justice in court. He is a shy man, with respectable manners and always willing to assist others in need. This is demonstrated in the help for Miss Mayella Ewell in the chifforboards for no payment. He is conscious man, ensuring he provides for his children and wife. He is also one of the mockingbirds in the story. From a accident in a mill when he was younger, he is remaining with a left arm disabled so much to the point it was paralysed, nevertheless he continued to work hard.
Bob Ewell
Bob Ewell is played by James Anderson
Bob Ewell, is a lower class citizen, of an undedicated and drunken class. He is predominantly unemployed, and the salary that is collected is spent on liquor for himself. Due to his continues state of drunkenness, he is abusive, harmful and neglecting of his own children, significantly the eldest child, Mayella. Although never admitting, it was known throughout town that he raped her. The point of view that Mr Ewell holds on the black community is that of Racism and Prejudice; therefore a motive for him to accuse Tom Robinson for his daughters rape, rather than being consequence himself. He is what is referred to as 'White Trash', a lower class citizen, living in squalor and poverty.
Mayella Ewell
Mayella Ewell is played by Collin Wilcox Paxton
Mayella Ewell, daughter of Bob Ewell and the young woman who was rapped. Mayella is an uneducated young woman, who is the primary care giver to her numerous younger siblings. She is abused by her father, however has not the courage to stop it, or report the incidents and so on follows her fathers orders. Although having to survive the hard ship of abuse, it is still a cruel idea to blame Tom Robinson of rape after all the help he has assisted her with for free. Quite a loud girl, she feels that Atticus was being rude and demining towards her through the court case.
Charles Baker Harris
Charles Baker Harris is played by John Megna
Charles Baker "Dill' Harris is a friend of the children's who meet on summer break whilst he was staying with his aunty for an extended period of time. The children instantly became friends and set of on adventures through their imaginations. A young, confident boy of diminutive stature, Dill wasn’t afraid of Boo Radley, and was always the first to create imaginary stories about him.
Calpurnia
Calpurnia is played by Estelle Evans
Calpurnia is the Finches' maid, and a predominant care giver to the children. She brings a firm but fair approach to the children's upbringing. She is knowledgeable due to her double life in the negro world and the white society. Calpurnia is the bridge the brings the gap of the black and white communities for the children. She is accepting and loyal to the Finch family and is respected by Atticus and both the children.
Miss Maudie Atkinson
Miss Maudie Atkinson is played by Rosemary Murphy
Maudie Atkinson, a neighbour and friend of Atticus has strong beliefs and morals and remains true to them. A widower, she has learnt to speak her mind with harsh words. She is friendly with the children to an extent that she is friendliest of all the adults to Jem and Scout. With her passion for justice, she understands Atticus decision to defend Tom Robinson, and stands by him. She also feels for Boo Radley, and thinks that he has been mistreated not only by his father but also the towns people.