To Kill a Mockingbird is unquestionably one of the landmark films of the 20th century and is Foote’s best-known screenplay. Foote’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel about a small-town lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape won him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film won two additional Oscars for art direction and for Gregory Peck’s iconic performance as Atticus Finch.

Using excerpts from the film, a distinguished panel of historians and social activists discuss the political landscape of other noteworthy trials, including the Scottsboro Boys and the recent prosecution of the Jena 6.

This event is presented as a part of Goodman Theatre’s new CONTEXT series, a forum to engage the community in debate, discussion, and deeper exploration of themes within Goodman productions. Unlike post-show discussions that focus primarily on the production, CONTEXT events concentrate on how particular issues raised within the plays resonate in today’s culture.

Recorded Monday, March 31, 2008 at Goodman Theatre.