Director: Robert Mulligan 130 mts. Cast: Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans. (1962. 130 minutes)
The classic movie adaptation of Harper Lee’s celebrated novel centers on the moral heroism of a American lawyer who stands up to defend an innocent African-American man against racial injustice. The story is set in the 1930s, when, Southern United States, whites routinely ill-treated African-Americans, and could get away with it. Equal rights did not exist.
Atticus Finch, is a lawyer and a widower bringing up his two children—the tomboyish Scout and her ten-year-old brother Jem.
Tom Robinson, a young Black man, is arrested and brought for trial over a false accusation of rape by a white woman named Mayella Violet Ewell, and her father Bob. Atticus Finch, who takes up the poor man’s defense, has to face the hatred and prejudice of his fellow White racist community. Atticus stands his ground against a White lynch mob attempting to break into jail to kill Tom Robinson. He has to protect and encourage his children to stand up to the taunts and hate from schoolmates too. He explains the situation to Scout and Jem, assuring them of the righteousness of his cause. In the court, Atticus conclusively proves Tom Robinson innocent. However, the prejudiced and hostile jury offers an unjust verdict against Robinson, just because he is Black. Later, when taken to prison, Tom is reported to have attempted to run away and the sheriff shoots and kills him. Ewell insults and spits on Atticus. He attacks Scout and Jem. The movie won three Oscars, including best actor for Gregory Peck.
Father Rupert Mayer
Director: Damian Chapa * Cast: Oliver Gruber, Nicola Mayerl, Michael Mendl, Thomas Morris, Timothy Peach, Stacy Keach Torsten, Lennie Münchow (2014. 117 minutes)
This is the story of a martyr-hero of Nazi Germany who paid with his life to stand up to the Nazi regime. The musically talented Rupert Mayer responded to God’s call early in his life. He joined the Jesuits after a distinguished education and ordination as priest. He worked as a preacher in Austria and Germany, before taking up pastoral work among the poor migrant workers in Munich, where he was very influential, both as a violinist and pastor who spent his life for the poor. When the First World War broke out in 1914, Mayer’s patriotism drew him into the army to work as chaplain.. His bravery made him a legend among his fellow soldiers. He would administer sacraments to the soldiers under gunfire and became the first chaplain to win the Iron Cross for bravery in the field. In an attempt to save a compatriot threatened by Russians, he lost a leg in grenade blast.
The Nazis seized power in 1934. Realizing the dangerous drift that was leading his beloved Germany into darkness and cruelty, Father Mayer used his influence to preach openly against Nazism. He refused to give in to threats and temptations When Hitler fully activated the political campaign against the church, closing down schools and persecuting religious orders, he stood up to him. The Nazis feared his powerful influence. They wanted to silence him and even attempted to defame him. In May 1937, when the Gestapo banned his speaking in public, he continued to preach in church. He was arrested from there and put in Stadelheim prison, where he provided spiritual help to fellow prisoners, although this was very dangerous. In 1939, he was sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp when people openly protested in his favour. He was released by the intervention of his loyal friends in the government. In 1944, he was interned in Ettal Monastery till the end of the war. When American forces liberated the country, Father Mayer returned to Munich, where he died a few months later.
Prof Gigy Joseph
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