<P> Harper Lee, in liner notes written for the film's DVD re-release by Universal, wrote: "When I learned that Gregory Peck would play Atticus Finch in the film production of To Kill a Mockingbird, I was of course delighted: here was a fine actor who had made great films--what more could a writer ask for?...The years told me his secret . When he played Atticus Finch, he had played himself, and time has told all of us something more: when he played himself, he touched the world". Upon Peck's death in 2003, Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson in the film version, quoted Harper Lee at Peck's eulogy, saying, "Atticus Finch gave him an opportunity to play himself". Peters concluded his eulogy stating, "To my friend Gregory Peck, to my friend Atticus Finch, vaya con Dios". Peters remembered the role of Tom Robinson when he recalled, "It certainly is one of my proudest achievements in life, one of the happiest participations in film or theater I have experienced". Peters remained friends not only with Peck but with Mary Badham throughout his life . </P> <P> Peck himself admitted that many people have reminded him of this film more than any other film he has ever done . </P> <P> In 1995 To Kill a Mockingbird was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It is also Robert Duvall's big - screen debut, as the misunderstood recluse Boo Radley . Duvall was cast on the recommendation of screenwriter Horton Foote, who met him at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City where Duvall starred in a 1957 production of Foote's play, The Midnight Caller . </P> <P> The American Film Institute named Atticus Finch the greatest movie hero of the 20th century . Additionally, the AFI ranked the movie second on their 100 Years...100 Cheers list, behind It's a Wonderful Life . The film was ranked number 34 on AFI's list of the 100 greatest movies of all time, but moved up to number 25 on the 10th Anniversary list . In June 2008, the AFI revealed its "Ten top Ten"--the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres--after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community . To Kill a Mockingbird was acknowledged as the best film in the courtroom drama genre . </P>

Who gets killed in to kill a mockingbird