To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) is an American drama film directed by Robert Mulligan and based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The film stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, a lawyer defending a Black man falsely accused of assault in the racially segregated American South. Robert Duvall appears in his film debut as Arthur “Boo” Radley, a mysterious recluse who ultimately saves the Finch children. Despite having no spoken lines, Duvall’s brief screen presence became iconic and marked the beginning of his distinguished acting career.
The film received critical acclaim for its moral themes, performances, and faithful adaptation. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Gregory Peck, and has since been preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance. Duvall’s role, though small, remains one of the most recognized silent character portrayals in classic American cinema.