Or in the case a compassionate man. The sheriff knows that a public trial would distress and maybe even kill boo and the best way to reward him for his bravery and heroism is to respect his wishes to be left alone.

Amen!

In the book, Atticus argues more with him and the sheriff is so livid he actually curses (something they'd have never allowed in the movies at this time) and tells Atticus that he's not trying to protect Jem or Scout - he's trying to protect Arthur Radley. He goes on to say that Bob Ewell fell on his knife and if Atticus opposes him, he'll call him a liar to his face. He was that angry over what had happened with the trial, and you got the impression he felt Bob Ewell got exactly what he deserved. This scene is powerful but the book was even more so.

You would think Atticus being a lawyer would catch on quickly to what the sheriff is trying to do and that boo(who was accustomed to the dark) stabbed bob and not a kid with a broken arm.

@@TheDoctor1225 It's interesting and heartwarming to note that both Sheriff Tate and Judge Taylor are on Atticus and Tom's side, and actually tried to help. Atticus is a great man with truly outstanding ethics, but he is in the company of other great men like the sheriff and the judge.

@@jmwoods190 Indeed he is. Atticus is often focused on (and I suppose rightly so, as the main character of the story) but without the Sheriff and the judge backing him, he wouldn't have been able to do what he did in many respects. That's an EXCELLENT point. He doesn't operate in a vacuum.

Wayne U: Sheriff Heck Tate kind of stole the show in this scene as he applies sheer humane logic, as appose to the judicial system.

Indeed. Frank Overton did the role of Sheriff Tate much justice.

heck was frustrated that atticus, a lawyer who is supposed to be able to see the grey areas in situations, should have much earlier understood why he was trying to cover up what happened so he had to resort to im sheriff and your not so my word is law.

I lived in rural Virginia long ago. Sheriff Tate could have been a Virginia law man back then when there was still decency in the body politic.

Didn't it almost feel like G.P. stepped back and was like, *"Let 'er rip, Frank."* Total awesomeness. _____

@@alexnagy4520 I would not be in the least surprised if that's just exactly what he did do, given what I have read about the good Mr. Peck. I personally think that would be a superb way to envision that scene being played out.

Peck was a class act. There will never be another like him. He was a down to earth and father like figure. Types of his kind are sorely missed in this troubled world.

It’s disappointing that Atticus, a lawyer who’s job is to see the gray areas in situations, needed so much convincing to understand why the sheriff was going to lie about what happened.

His performance in the highly regarded Twilight Zone episode "Walking Distance" was similarly exceptional in setting the poignant tone of the story.

I like your post! The Twilight Zone episode, ' Walking Distance,' was Serling's favorite one. The scene between Gig Young and Overton was touching. One of his finest roles was in the movie ' Dark at the Top of the Stairs. ' He played the hen-pecked husband of Eve Arden and his scenes with Robert Preston were delicious!

Agree 100%. He was terrific in "Fail-Safe" in a similar role--one that called for moral authority.

@@Localhistory52 "KNOCK IT OFF!! This isn't some damned football game,, remember that!" The line he shouted when the people at NORAD were cheering as Soviet interceptors were shot down in "Fail Safe." Absolute authority and command in that voice. He was definitely the voice of moral authority.

@@TheDoctor1225 =) He was such a wonderful actor!

BeingBeverly Sadly, I think the beauty & significance of movies like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is just not appreciated these days. The guy on TCM said that back then they had to tell a beautiful story because they didn’t really know how to blow up buildings & cars. It’s too bad that when they learned to “blow things up”, great stories weren’t valued.

Thanks for your boldness and concern !! That's the problem with today's hurry up and get on with the next thing ... they missed a great actor with one of the most sublime dialogue in film !!!

@@smyoung3988 True, but I pass on suggestions to people especially the younger generation. Often they’re unaware of the movie I point out and more often than not they enjoy them. Sometimes they surprise me when they really appreciate it! (Example this past halloween, several said how much better The Innocents was fir scares and atmosphere)

In the novel Atticus and the sheriff go back and forth about the letter of the law vs spirit of the law until the sheriff finally had to say I’m the sheriff and your not.I was always disappointed that being a lawyer it took Atticus so long to understand the the sheriff was trying to protect boo not coddle Jem.

When Scout, Jem and Dill save Atticus from being lynched at the jail and Scout is more concerned she upset people.... Atticus discovering Tom is dead....The reverend at the conclusion of the trial as the "Miss Jean Louise...Miss Jean Louise stand up. Your father's passing." Dill wondering what Boo does all day.....Jem heartbroken at the verdict and Maudie knowing he is gobsmacked and been thrown into the ugliness of the adult world tells Jem "There are some men in this world born to do our ugly jobs. Your father's one of them." Atticus knowing he would lose and hope he could on appeal have a the inevitable death penalty commuted to life imprisonment..."I told him not to lose hope...We had such a good chance..." when Scout is explaining the attack and sights Boo behind the door...'why there he is...he can tell you himself.....Hey Boo!" "Is this the man who raped you?" Mayella: "It most certainly is." Atticus: "HOW?" There are MANY perfect scenes in this film and the direction of the children and their relationship was spellbinding while Atticus is the model parent and the one we all dreamt we could have.

@@strings2wood Yes,there were many,many *very* powerful moments in "Mockingbird" Scout's sweetness and kindness was seen throughout. Jem's courage...particularly at the courthouse ("nope,I ain't going")...was amazing. And Atticus was right...Mayella was a victim,not of Tom Robinson but of her own father. And her performance was outstanding. The Reverend was also excellent..."Miss Jean Louise,stand up...your father's passing" was a classic,and powerful,line.

Today they would (a) be threatened by Atticus' moral strength and willingness to DARE to teach his children that there is an absolute right and wrong, and (b) would be labeling him a "white savior" because they couldn't hold the thought in their little minds that his character was doing what was right, period. In that time and place, with the extreme amounts of bigotry that existed, Tom needed saving, and Atticus did his best. That concept would be beyond them, sadly - but that's their loss.

That cauldron of hate is just about everywhere. It's far from exclusive to or even predominant in the South. Hell, Virginia and North Carolina voted for Obama, and then Virginia and Georgia voted for Biden. Meanwhile, Ohio didn't. So beware the stereotyping if you want to conquer bigotry.

this is youtube not High school

Yes, he did.

One of the best scenes ever. Period.

Paul Brewer You explain that beautifully. One of the best scenes in movie history --I especially love that Heck Tate says he “may not be much” but he’s still sheriff .....No doubt some of the men on that jury regretted the tragic outcome of their cowardly ruling.

Superbly said. In the book, if memory serves, it was fleshed out even more in that the sheriff told him that he wasn't trying to protect Atticus' reputation, and if Atticus opposed him, he'd make him out to be a liar in front of the whole town. He felt THAT strongly about his conviction concerning what Boo Radley had done, and about what a travesty the trial was.

Me too ❤

Really ! She looks so innocent 😥

She steals your heart and most of the scenes !

That was the problem Bob Ewell might had been hated but he was supported by the community in his bigotry😢 And Boo Radley was the town "weirdo" And all the "good people" of the town would use Boo as a reason to salve their own consciences about Tom Robinson

The error in that statement is that Bob Ewell's death was not a murder in any way, shape or form. If you or I come upon someone who is in the process of actively trying to kill someone and we kill them in order to stop it, that's not murder. In point of fact, that is allowed by law. He was hated, but he wasn't murdered. He was killed while trying to murder someone else, actually. The sheriff certainly knew that and that was the reason he wanted it not brought into the light. He knew that the people in the town would then descend on him and treat him like a hero, which would violate his own privacy.

Idk about that

You rock!

You're a sick puppy.

Do you really think any politician today would???

@@chuckyoder5765 You can ask your question elsewhere. Mine, is about The Idiot Trump.

Yes old sage the donald has not 1 redeeming quality... not 1 and id bet on it... not 1