To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

The film is narrated by the adult Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. Young Scout and her pre-teen older brother Jem live in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s. Despite the family’s modest means, the children enjoy a happy childhood, cared for by their widowed father, Atticus Finch, and the family’s black housekeeper, Calpurnia. During the summer, Jem, Scout, and their friend Dill play games and often search for Arthur “Boo” Radley, an odd, reclusive neighbor who lives with his brother Nathan. The children have never seen Boo, who rarely leaves the house. On different occasions, Jem has found small objects left inside a tree knothole on the Radley property. These include a broken pocket watch, an old spelling bee medal, a pocket knife, and two carved soap dolls resembling Jem and Scout.

Atticus, a lawyer, strongly believes all people deserve fair treatment, in turning the other cheek and to defend what you believe. Many of Atticus’ clients are poor farmers who pay for his legal services in trade, often leaving him fresh produce, firewood, and so on. Atticus’ work as a lawyer often exposes Scout and Jem to the town’s racism, aggravated by poverty. As a result, the children mature more quickly.