To Kill a Mockingbird

The musical themes in To Kill a Mockingbird are spare and simple. Underscoring is only heard during transitions, leading up to moments of danger and behind Scout's narrations. Since To Kill a Mockingbird is a traditional courtroom drama, there is no music played when while the characters are in the courtroom. The text notes that a majority of the music contains an upbeat, childish melody because the film is scene through the eyes of the children. This style of music adds innocence to the film, as these kids are exposed to social issues such as race and prejudice. The music is fairly minimal and generally lacks intense emotion. For the most part, the music is not completely classical or the style of Bernard Hermann in Psycho. Instead it is more of a mix of the two.