Section C: US Film

Robert Mulligan, 1962 Joel Schumacher, 1996

What makes the films similar?

Canton, Mississippi

Maycomb, Alabama

‘white supremacist doctrine of southern

culture’

‘Ulrich Phillips define race as “the central theme of southern history”’**

‘the centrality of race in southern culture testifies to the profound influence of race

on southern identity…’

‘…the legacy of institutionalized racism, first in the form of slavery, then in that of segregation, confers to race a specific dimension

that cannot be ignored’

‘white lawyer as a liberal hero’

Three genres ‘courtroom drama, race movie,

southern film’

racial violence [constructed] to link their criminality to

‘an inherent characteristic of class rather than race’**

Confederate flag – a symbol of the South’s separation from the North and historic reluctance to abolish slavery – in essence a symbol of

racism

All quotes taken from ‘Burning Mississippi: Race, Fatherhood and the South in A Time To Kill (1996) – by Helene Charlery

Key Themes

• Racism/ Racial Intolerance/ Racial Inequality (Bigotry)

• Justice and the Law• Perspective (Being in someone else’s shoes)• Moral Courage/ Bravery• Ethics (knowing right from wrong)

Racism/ Racial Intolerance/ Racial Inequality (Bigotry)

• Intolerance• a. Unwilling to tolerate differences in opinions, practices, or beliefs,

especially religious beliefs.• b. Opposed to the inclusion or participation of those different from oneself,

especially those of a different racial, ethnic, or social background.• Tolerance• The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or

practices of others• Bigotry• The attitude, state of mind, or behaviour characteristic of a bigot;

intolerance. • Bigot• One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and

is intolerant of those who differ.


• Black vs. White• This film is not about whether a father should

kill his daughters’ rapists. It is about whether a black man should ever be allowed to kill a white man, under any circumstances. The issue is not murder but bigotry, and it is compounded by the fact that America is primarily a white country.


• Black vs. White• From the outset of the film the audience are

provided with sequences of film that make it clear that even though the film is set within a progressive time period Canton is a town that still holds on to the ideas of the past.


• The music at the start of the film links in with connotations of the Deep South this is further compounded when we see Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard (James Louis "Pete" Willard) driving the pickup truck with the confederate flag hanging in side – a perfect picture of stereotypical rednecks


• Their confrontation with the black shop keeper signals the racial divide in Canton – they talk down to him in derogatory terms and the use of racial epithets. The setting (mise-en-scene) of the black owned store also represents the economic deprivation of the area but the fact that Billy and Pete are shopping there shows that they too are of a low social standing.


• This setting is in stark contrast to when we first meet Jake and we are presented with an immaculate almost historical looking house with a white picket fence and his friend (Harry Rex) who comes to pick him up in a convertible car. – Racial inequality is signalled through the representation of ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ (economically)


• A sense of time moving on is signalled through the presence of a black sheriff, who was voted in in a town where the majority vote is white. But tensions are still shown when Sheriff Ozzie Walls arrests Billy and Pete. Words are exchanged such ‘nigger’ and ‘red neck’. Walls arrests them in a bar that is clearly ‘white’ and racist – confederate flag seen again.


• We are made aware that there is still racial segregation in the town – because when Sheriff Walls fetches Cobb and Willard from the jail he says ‘if I get any trouble out of any of you I’m going to integrate this jail’


• In the town racism is signalled though the fact that both Jake and Buckley know that for there to be a fair trial there needs to be change of venue.

• Buckley and his team - discuss that Jake will file for a change of venue ‘he’d be a fool if he didn’t’. If the trial stays in Clanton it will be an all-white jury for sure – meaning no sympathy vote and more chance of prejudice.

Institutionalised racism


• No change of venue meant that Carl wasn’t trialled by a jury of his peers. Buckley - ‘Without blacks on the jury Hailey hasn’t got a chance in hell.’ Jakes application for change of venue is thwarted at every chance.

They have their own racial prejudice and the majority believe Hailey to be guilty before the trial has even begun


• ‘Mr Brigance let me be frank, Mr Hailey’s case has far reaching implications, Carl Lee’s acquittal for the killings of two white men will do for the black people of Mississippi than any even since we integrated the schools. His conviction on the other hand will be a slap at us a symbol of deep seated racism perhaps enough to ignite nation. See how important this case is?’

‘We raised that money for these men to get you out of here not for this cracker…’

NAACP


• Carl Lee Hailey found not guilty, this verdict cannot be explained away by just stating that if shows the progressive ideologies of the South because it doesn’t. He was found not guilty because Jake got the jury to imagine that Tonya was white – so in essence to forget Hailey was black and in fact one of them – bigotry is never taken out of the equation.

‘justice is and will be colour

blind’ Jake Brigance


Black women took jobs as live in

domestics

Bob and Mayella Ewell – ‘rednecks’

The film is set in Alabama, in the Deep South of America. Here racial intolerance is woven into the fabric of society. This racial intolerance and inequality permeates the infrastructure of the legal system and is

institutionalised.

Bigotry is communicated as the key narrative catalyst

Tom RobinsonINNOCENT

False

ly accuse

Atticus FinchTHE MORAL COMPASS

Defends

His summation

is keySegregation - Courthouse

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=bZwK_wLQ0Vy17M&tbnid=rtGO4zon7aD2tM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.iconarchive.com/show/security-icons-by-aha-soft/key-icon.html&ei=6OhRUbbrBcnL0QXOooDACA&bvm=bv.44342787,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNGemqcyQSuLkAXbiJKXrlEHZ4HypQ&ust=1364408922489371


• During the Depression era, blacks were still highly subjugated members of society. Blacks were not permitted to commingle with whites in public setting. This is exemplified in the courthouse, physical separation of races and in the clearly distinct black and white areas of town. Moreover, things like intermarriage were almost unheard of, and sorely looked down upon.

Jem, Scout and DillBlack

White


• Bob Ewell refers to Tom as a nigger when talking to Atticus “Captain I’m real sorry they picked you to defend that nigger that raped my Mayella. I don’t know why I didn’t kill him myself instead of going to the sheriff…” – (the use of the word conjures up an atmosphere of hatred).

• Atticus makes it clear that he intends to defend Tom Robinson – Atticus doesn’t seem to have time or patience for Ewell.

• Atticus ‘I’ve been appointed to defend Tom Robinson now that he has been charged that what I intend to do’

• Clear class divide between Bob and Atticus Ewell calls Atticus a ‘nigger lover’


• Scout: “Atticus do you defend niggers?”

• Atticus: “Don’t say nigger Scout”

• Scout: “I didn’t say it Cecil Jacobs did, that’s why I had to fight him”

• Atticus explains that he is defending a Negro, Tom Robinson, and that Scout isn’t old enough to understand the situation, and people are saying that he shouldn’t defend Tom. Scout wants to know why he is defending Tom. Atticus says he wouldn’t be able to hold his head up in town if he didn’t. He says that he couldn’t tell her and Jem not to do something again – he lives his life in a virtuous way to be an example to his children. He is the moral compass of the town and for his family.


• “…She tempted a Negro. She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that, in our society, is unspeakable. She kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong, young Negro man…”

• “She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance. But my pity. does not extend so far as to her putting a man's life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt. Now I say "guilt," gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her. She's committed no crime. She has merely broken a rigid and time-honoured code of our society...”

Atticus’ summation is key, because it spells out

to us, in no uncertain terms the bigotry behind

the Ewell’s falsified claims

She crossed the colour line



• “The witnesses for the State, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted. Confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption the evil assumption that all Negroes lie, all Negroes are basically immoral beings, all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women. An assumption that one associates with minds of their caliber…”

Atticus’ summation is key, because it spells out

to us, in no uncertain terms the bigotry behind

the Ewell’s falsified claims


WHAT IS THE KEY LINK BETWEEN THE TWO FILMS?

• Key link between the two films is that they are both set in the Deep South of America, in neighbouring states Alabama and Mississippi. Race is a ‘central theme of southern history’ (historian Ulrich Phillips) and is key to the link between these two films but the time difference allows us to approach a discussion of whether the messages and values have changed. In the South… the legacy of institutionalized racism, first in the form of slavery, then in that of segregation, confers to race specific dimension [in both films] that cannot be ignored . (Helene Charlery)

Justice and the LawHow do these characters represent the theme of

Justice and the Law?

Atticus Finch

Mayella & Bob Ewell

Boo Radley

Tom RobinsonSheriff

Heck Tate

Ellen Roark

D.A. Rufus Buckley

Freddie Lee Cobb

Jake Brigance

Carl Lee Hailey

SheriffOzzie Walls

Deputy Willie Hastings

The Jury

Justice* and the Law

Ellen Roark

D.A. Rufus BuckleyJake Brigance- Takes the law into his own hands

- Joins the KKK – reign terror on Jake and his family and Ethel

- ’10 years ago that nigger would be hanging by the end of a rope with is balls in his mouth, you tell me what’s wrong with this country?’

You can win this case and justice will prevail, but lose and justice will also prevail,

now that’s a strange case

- Buckley ‘Without black on the jury Hailey hasn’t got a chance in hell’

- Application for change of venue stopped at every chance

- A contest of strategies more important than unbiased presentation of evidence

- Jury selection- Jake ‘justice is and will be colour blind’ – IRONY- Refer to Jake’s summation – key lines would be

relevant to this theme

The film unsettles the audience in tis depiction of the ‘justice’ system at

work, spectators are encouraged to question

what is justice?

- Takes the law into his own hands – but this seems to be justified* through the way the film uses the theme of perspective and the use of film language (the construction of the shooting and the flag outside the court house)

- As he shoots music soundtrack gospel song ‘Take my hand precious Lord’

Freddie Lee Cobb

- Tries to get evidence under false pretences and then breaks and enters to get it

Carl Lee Hailey

*JUSTIFIEDdefensible, right, acceptable, correct, reasonable, warranted, necessary

*JUSTICEFairness, impartiality, honesty, integrity

No character expresses faith in the justice system

Racism at the root of corruption

Justice and the Law

Atticus Finch

Boo Radley

Tom Robinson Sheriff Heck Tate

The film presents a judicial system that doesn’t practice what it preaches

- Idealistically believe in the American justice system and that justice will prevail

- He believes strongly that despite social inequalities, all men are equal in the courtroom – compare with Jake

- Refer to Atticus’ summation – key lines would be relevant to this theme

- Boo is never arrested for the murder of Bob Ewell – how is this justified?

- Is he corrupt for not arresting Boo?

- Injustices of a racist judicial system saw Tom go to jail and believe the Ewell falsified evidence

The blue jay is a very common bird, and is often perceived as a bully and a pest, whereas mockingbirds do nothing but

"sing their hearts out for us". Metaphorically, several of the book's (movie’s) characters can be seen as

"mockingbirds", attacked despite doing nothing but good. The mockingbird

represents innocence, and to kill one is to metaphorically kill innocence. Note

that several of the main protagonists are named after birds: Scout, Jem, Atticus

Finch, and Tom Robinson.

Mayella & Bob Ewell

Moral Courage/ Bravery

• The majority of the themes encourage the audience to question their beliefs and judgement of what is right and wrong.

• With the theme of Moral courage/ bravery we question which characters truly are brave?


• We see Carl entering the courthouse and finding a place to hide

• Birds eye shot is used to show him walking across the painting on the floor – an eagle, the US flag and the motto of Mississippi "Virtute et Armis“

• Zoom out from dead Cobb and Willard to birds eye shot to view the painting on the floor again (2)


• This Mississippi state motto is a Latin motto and in English it means “By Valor and Arms”. "Valor" may be interpreted as 'courage' and the intended meaning of "arms" may be 'strength'. Interestingly, the Mississippi motto may have its roots and inspiration from another motto with a subtle, but somewhat different message. This motto created by Lord Gray De Wilton: "Virtute Non Armis Fido" (I trust in virtue not arms).

• How does the mise-en-scene work to justify Carl’s actions?

VIRTUE: Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness.


• Jake at home with family – sitting down to watch him on TV – he says on news report ‘justice is and will be colour blind’

• Threats via phone made to Jake ‘Brigance you nigger lovin’ son of a bitch, you won’t live if the nigger walks’ (3)

• Jake talking to news reporters seen on Cobbs TV – he says that he wants to show that people in the south can see past colour

• Jake: ‘Some folks think that a black man cannot receive a fair trial in the South, …look past colour and see the truth’. (4)


Jake speaks with his in-laws they are concerned – after a church service, reporters are outside, says he will speak with them, his wife says it’s not the time, he goes anyway.

Clearly she is concerned about how caught up her husband is getting with the case. Also Jake

says that their number has been changed to an unlisted number – due to threat they have

been getting. (4)

Rex: ‘Your marriage is on the rocks, you’re about to have an affair, your

career is in ruins if your luck and if not your dead, don’t get me wrong me

friend what you put into this case you even inspired me, and I’m

uninspriable, do everyone a favour though, drop the case.’

Jake: ‘… I quit now and all of this is for nothing.’ (7)


• Wife: ‘About what? That you weren’t home when some practically burned our house down? That you missed supper and didn’t bother to call? Or that lately you have become much more interested in getting g your face on the news than what’s going with your family? Or that Hannah comes home bawling because of other kids calling her nigger lover? What exactly are you sorry about Jake?!’ (4)

• Jake’s wife’s out burst encourages the audience to question if Jake really is brave or just guilty?

• – ‘…it’s not just Carl Lee I’m trying to get off’ (6)


• Jake visits Judge Noose at home, (the old south still apparent e.g. domestic house workers are black)

• Judge has denied the motion to change venue and has covered all bases so that Jake can’t appeal, he alludes to the fact that if Jake carries on with this case he will be throwing his career away (5)


• Atticus takes on Tom’s case even though he knows the town will be against him (Herculean task - requires tremendous effort, strength) Atticus is brave to defend a black man in the face of criticism and threats of violence

• when facing the mob of men outside the jailhouse.• Atticus doesn’t react to Bob Ewell, to Atticus withholding violence is one of

the highest forms of bravery.• Bob Ewell represents the greatest cowardice, as he both lies in the

courtroom to protect himself and resorts to attacking children in the darkness in order to make himself feel more of a man.

• Maudie’s comment on Atticus “There’s some me in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us, your father’s one of them”

• Atticus struggles on with case because he believes that one day good will prevail over the evils of racism and racial equality will exist (summation)

Apart from Atticus who else shows moral courage/ bravery?

Ethics

DO THEY HAVE SIMILAR MESSAGES AND VALUES?

The themes can be said to be a conduit for the communication of the messages and values of the films. The themes that can be said to be shared by both

film are:

• Bigotry, which can be said to cover racism, racial intolerance and racial inequality,

• Justice and the law,• Perspective• Moral courage/Bravery• Ethics.

DO THEY HAVE SIMILAR MESSAGES AND VALUES?

Messages and values are communicated through the use of themes. The themes

are used as part of the films constructions to provide a wider commentary on society

in general this is usually linked to contextual issues and reflects issues

during the period of time the film was made.

MESSAGE = Lesson/ moralVALUE = Principle

These films are saying something about wider society – specifically American

society

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW:

• What are the themes of the films?• How are they communicated?

(compare)• What messages and values are being

communicated• What commentary is this providing

about American society?

DO THESE MESSAGES AND VALUES REFLECT THE TIMES THE FILMS WERE

MADE? • To Kill a Mockingbird –

1962• A Time to Kill – 1996

• What was happening at these times?

ROBERT MULLIGAN, 1962

Set in the 1930s made in 1962

What is happening in 1962 that would reflect the messages and values of the film?

The Civil Rights Movement (1955 – 1968)

The Civil Rights Movement was characterised by major campaigns of civil resistance serving the purpose to outlaw racial discrimination and freedom from oppression by white Americans

During the Civil Rights Movement tens of thousands of people of all races risked not just their standing in the community, but also their lives, in the hope of building a coalition for racial equality.

This ideology of the Civil Rights Movement can be said to be reflected in the messages and values of To Kill a Mocking Bird the film has been described as a progressive, enlightened 60s message about racial prejudice, violence, moral tolerance and dignified courage

1. How are the messages and values communicated in the film?

2. Provide textual examples of how the film reflects messages and values of the early 1960s? (themes!)

The key is to think about what

parts of the film reflect the

reality of what was going on at

the time

JOEL SCHUMACHER, 1996 Set in the 1995 made in 1996

What is happening in the 1990s that would reflect the messages and values of the film?

released four years after an all-white jury acquitted the four LAPD police officers who assaulted the black driver Rodney King in 1992 [which lead to the Los Angeles riots], and two years after a mostly black jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty of the charges pressed against him during his criminal trial in 1994, while a mostly white jury found him guilty during the civil trial.

Since January 1995, more than 100 churches have been burned. The burnings were predominately in black congregations. . “the church burnings were symptomatic of the larger racial problem in America”

Race relations are prevalent in 1996, and the film portrays the injustices that are happening in the community of Alabama. The rural areas seem to hold the most extreme amount of racial tension. Rural areas contain a great deal of joblessness and lack of economic opportunity. It seems that economic hardship exacerbates racial tensions in many areas.

There are also studies going on about how the judicial system is controlled by affluent white people who are not willing to treat African American people fairly. The judicial system is being called “the new enslavement of coloured people.”

In 1963, Martin Luther King described Mississippi as “a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression.” The sobering question suggested by the film is how much has Mississippi really changed?

1. How are the messages and values communicated in the film?

2. Provide textual examples of how the film reflects messages and values of the 1990s? (themes!)

The key is to think about what parts of the film reflect the reality of what

was going on at the time

EXAM QUESTIONWith reference to your chosen

American films, compare the extent to which their messages and values reflect the times in which they were

made

All knowledge applied to specific questions can be interchangeable and in applicable to all

EXAM QUESTION

How far do your chosen American films portray

themes and ideas in similar ways?

How far do your chosen American films portray themes and ideas in similar ways?

COMPARE AND CONTRAST HOW KEY THEMES HAVE BEEN PRESENTED IN

TKAM & ATTK

• WRITING REVISION NOTES• For the ‘how’ think about is it through…

- The story/ narrative?- The use of characters?- Film language?- a combination of the above?

• What messages/ morals are being communicated through the use of that theme?

• To what extent is the message communicated in the same way across the two films?

• Does the context (time period) make a difference to how each film communicates it’s theme?

Section C: US Film

Documents

Transcript of Section C: US Film