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The triple-threat talent Gordon Parks gets carte blanche to film his own autobiographical novel back in his old home town — and the result is one of the better depictions of growing up black in the Midwest. Parks’ memories don’t wield a fiery political agenda, nor does he say that ‘there were good people on both sides.’ It was what it was and it wasn’t always pretty. As young Newt, Kyle Johnson ‘does the right thing’ and his experience helps explain the pervading lack of faith in justice, to put it mildly. Parks’ beautiful film remains positive, reflecting his warm memories, and his direction gives us a full ensemble of black talent at work: this is said to be the first Hollywood film produced and directed by a black man.

The Learning Tree

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 1107

1969 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 107 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date December 14, 2021 / 39.95

Starring: Kyle Johnson,...

Gregory Peck's daughter Cecilia Peck discusses her father's classic role as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

There are certain books that are essentially required reading for nearly every American high school student, no matter where they may hail from. One of those literary classics is Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, which was adapted into the classic film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, still one of the most beloved performances of all time. Universal Studios Home Entertainment is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird with brand new Blu-ray and DVD editions arriving January 31. I had the privilege of speaking with Gregory Peck's daughter, Cecilia Peck, about this timeless classic which finally makes its debut on Blu-ray. Here's what she had to say below.

It's so great that this is getting a Blu-ray version. I don't think I've seen this since high school,...

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird in new 50th Anniversary editions on Blu-ray and DVD January 31. We have a contest running and we're giving away copies of this Blu-ray set to our readers. These prizes will surely go fast, so enter this contest today.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Blu-ray

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Experience one of the most significant milestones in film history like never before with To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition. Screen legend Gregory Peck stars as courageous Southern lawyer Atticus Finch - the Academy Award-winning performance hailed by the American Film Institute as the Greatest Movie Hero of All Time.

Universal will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012, and will commemorate its centennial with a yearlong celebration honoring the studio's rich film history and cultural legacy. The campaign draws its inspiration from Universal's extraordinary and diverse library of films, many of which will be highlighted throughout the year, and is designed to engage fans of all ages in the art of moviemaking.

A significant element of the centennial includes the extensive restoration of 13 of the studio's most beloved titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, All Quiet on the Western Front, Jaws, The Sting, Out of Africa, Frankenstein and Schindler's List.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will kick off the celebration in January with a special 50th anniversary release of To Kill a Mockingbird, debuting on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Throughout the year, Universal will pay tribute to other influential films in the Universal library with special events and Blu-ray...

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced To Kill a Mockingbird will be released in new Blu-ray and DVD editions on January 31, 2012. The studio has also released the Blu-ray trailer for To Kill a Mockingbird, which you can watch below. You can also read the full press release with official details on these special editions below the trailer.

Click to watch To Kill a Mockingbird Blu-ray Trailer!

To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the screen's most beloved and critically acclaimed films, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a commemorative Limited Edition Collector's Series Blu-ray Combo Pack as well as on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 31, 2012. The powerful and poignant adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel hits the half-century mark, digitally remastered and fully restored from high resolution 35Mm original film elements, plus more than three-and-a-half hours of bonus features chronicling the making of the cinematic masterpiece.

It goes without saying that filmmaking is truly a labor of love.

Whether it be a film breaking box office records with a team of writers and a director who is simply there to shoot actors acting, or be it the smallest of small independent film, within any production you will find a person or group of people putting their heart and soul into the film.

This may not be any more clear in the 1969 film, The Learning Tree.

Written and directed by Gordon Parks, the film is based off of a 1964 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, penned by Parks, and now, 22 years after being selected to join the National Film Registry here in the Us, the Warner Archive has brought the public this beloved and absolutely fantastic look at not only growing up, but growing up in a time and world where you aren’t wanted.

Learning tree...

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Oscar® nominated director Robert Mulligan sadly passed away on Saturday in Lyme, Connecticut after a battle with heart disease. He was 83. "Mockingbird" starred Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcoz Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley and Robert Duvall. Peck took home an Oscar® as best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a small town defending a black man who had been falsely accused of rape.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Oscar® nominated director Robert Mulligan sadly passed away on Saturday in Lyme, Connecticut after a battle with heart disease. He was 83. "Mockingbird" starred Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcoz Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley and Robert Duvall. Peck took home an Oscar® as best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a small town defending a black man who had been falsely accused of rape.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Oscar® nominated director Robert Mulligan sadly passed away on Saturday in Lyme, Connecticut after a battle with heart disease. He was 83. "Mockingbird" starred Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcoz Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley and Robert Duvall. Peck took home an Oscar® as best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a small town defending a black man who had been falsely accused of rape. Mr. Mulligan, among many other credits, also directed 1971's "The Pursuit of Happiness" as well as the Reese Witherspoon starrer "The Man in the Moon." He is survived by his wife of 37 years as well as his three children, two grandchildren and his brother. Good journey Mr. Mulligan...

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Oscar® nominated director Robert Mulligan sadly passed away on Saturday in Lyme, Connecticut after a battle with heart disease. He was 83. "Mockingbird" starred Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcoz Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley and Robert Duvall. Peck took home an Oscar® as best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a small town defending a black man who had been falsely accused of rape.