In a small Alabama town in the 1930s, scrupulously honest and highly respected lawyer, Atticus Finch puts his career on the line when he agrees to represent Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape. The trial and the events surrounding it are seen through the eyes of Finch's six-year-old daughter, Scout. While Robinson's trial gives the movie its momentum, there are plenty of anecdotal occurrences before and after the court date: Scout's ever-strengthening bond with older brother, Jem, her friendship with precocious young Dill Harris, her father's no-nonsense reactions to such life-and-death crises as a rampaging mad dog, and especially Scout's reactions to, and relationship with, Boo Radley, the reclusive 'village idiot' who turns out to be her salvation when she is attacked by a venomous bigot.
The film is based around a black man being charged with the rape of a white girl. This is mentioned and discussed throughout, but only in fairly mild terms, such as "taking advantage".
No sex & nudity.
violence
Some sexual violence is described during witness accounts in the courtroom scene, but it is undetailed and fairly mild (only 'punching' and 'hitting' is mentioned) and will not offend.
A fight is heard in which somebody dies. The fight is heard but not seen.
A rabid dog is shot, but it is unlikely to upset the viewer since it was shot at a great distance and it's injuries are not visible in the scene.
A kid at the end of the film is nearly killed.
There is talk about someone slashing his father's leg.
profanity
Throughout the film (much more near the end) the "N" word is spoken a dozen or more times, this could offend people.
alcohol
Some cigarette smoking is seen.
A drunk man is seen approaching a car with two young children in it in an assaulting manner creating great fear in the car and the scene.
When the car leaves, a man is seen staggering in the driveway with a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
frightening
There is one scene where a mob tries to take an accused black man from his jail cell.
There are numerous suspenseful situations that the actors find themselves in.
Children wander the streets and forest at night and are pursued by shadows.
A boy's arm is broken by another character toward the end of the film, but only some tussling is shown.
A rabid dog is shot at great distance but the dogs injuries are not shown on screen.
A character is described as having a kitchen knife up under their ribs.
